Reports
Six Months of Progress: Green the Capitol
12/10/2007
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Green the Capitol Accomplishments | ||||
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Purchased carbon offsets to mitigate 30,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases |
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House Energy Conservation: 50% Reduction over 10 Years |
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Evaluating over 700 pieces of food service equipment and developing strategies to deploy new energy efficient technologies in all House food operations |
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Identified pressure reduction opportunities for the House steam distribution system, saving 2-3% of heating energy use |
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Waste Reduction |
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Eliminated all Styrofoam and plastic food service items in all House food service operations |
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Established agreement with Department of Agriculture to compost food service waste, ultimately reducing waste stream by over 50% |
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Procurement |
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Ensured House food offerings are organic and locally grown within a 150 mile radius whenever possible |
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Required only Fair Trade coffee be sold in all House restaurants |
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Directed House Office Supply Store to sell only 100% post-consumer recycled paper, saving 29,400 grown trees |
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Mandated that all new carpets must be low VOC (volatile organic compounds) and installed using low VOC glues |
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Switching to green cleaning products and techniques for carpets, offices, and public spaces, creating a healthier work environment |
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Updated “2007 House Standard for New Acquisitions” to encourage Member offices to purchase Energy Star compliant or equivalent equipment |
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Outreach | ||||
Developing a “Green Team” program for House employees |
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Increasing electronic distribution of reports and improving archiving requirements to decrease the amount of paper generated |
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Promoting computer power conservation efforts, including a consolidated server environment for Windows-based applications that will use 65% less power |
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Held the House’s first Green Expo, attended by over 1,500 employees, designed to raise awareness about green transportation options, including 19 alternative fuel vehicles |
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Transportation | ||||
Partnered with Zipcar to provide car-sharing services with four onsite hybrid cars |
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Establishing a pilot for the Smart Benefit program with DC public transit |
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=Done=Underway |