Executive Order 13423,
"Strengthening
Federal Environmental,
Energy, and Transportation
Management",
issued January 24,
2007
Requirement: By April
24, 2007, establish
a Waste Diversion
(Recycling) Goal,
per "Instructions
for Implementing EO
13423". Minimum
goal is 35% by 12/31/2010
USDA Waste Diversion
Goal: 40% recycling
rate by December 31,
2010
Baseline:
21% recycling rate
in FY 2005
Discussion:
In Fiscal Year 2005
eight buildings with
a population of 15,900
(15% of the Department
employees) recycled
433 tons and produced
1660 tons of waste,
resulting in a 21%
recycling rate. Six
of the buildings were
in the National Capital
Region and two were
from Kansas City.
Strategies for
Achieving the Goal:
The Headquarters Complex
improved to a 27%
recycling rate in
FY06, and the overall
rate of the eight
buildings improved
to 25%. The improvement
was a result of re-training
the janitorial staff
to properly separate
recyclables from the
waste. Further measures
USDA plans to implement
to continue progressing
toward our goal include:
Increase cardboard
recycling. This
fiscal year a baler
is being installed
at Headquarters,
which should increase
the overall rate
by 5% to 10%. Balers
are the most efficient
way to recycle cardboard.
In facilities without
balers, cardboard
will be recycled
using carts, and
pallets.
Procure new
and additional recycling
containers.
Not only has this
shown to increase
employee participation,
but it is also a
use of recycling
revenue that the
Office of the Federal
Environmental Executive
recommends (USDA
received $49,000
in revenue from
GSA in FY06).
Increase awareness
of recycling.
OPPM will work with
facility managers
and OO staff to
promote recycling
in USDA-occupied
space using e-mailings,
web tools, events,
and signage.
Toner cartridge/ink-jet
recycling. USDA
will expand the
recycling of these
items beyond Headquarters.
GSA recently added
used printer cartridges
to the recycling
contracts, which
USDA uses in the
Washington, DC area.
Internal USDA Goal:
Increase the waste
stream data captured
from 15% to 30% of
the USDA population.
OPPM plans to add
new facilities from
across the country
to the original list
starting this fiscal
year, so that over
31,000 employees are
represented in the
data by FY 2011.
Flagship Facility:
The Headquarters
Complex will serve
as the model facility
for USDA because,
obviously, it is the
seat of Departmental
leadership. Moreover,
the Complex is the
largest USDA facility
and, as such, drives
the Department-wide
recycling rate.