Sustainability in the Heartland

In response to Executive Order 13514 and the creation of GSA’s Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan, GSA’s Heartland Region is working to improve performance in its federal building and automotive fleet inventories, integrate sustainable decision-making into its business processes, and educate federal employees and the public about sustainable behaviors.

The Heartland has robust programs dedicated to exceeding federal sustainability targets in recycling and food waste composting; green procurement; electronic stewardship; and water and energy conservation. Contact the GSA Heartland Region to obtain sustainability services or learn more about program offerings.

Cutting costs and space
GSA is reducing the amount of space the federal government owns and operates in order to save money and reduce its environmental footprint. Through innovative and sustainable workplace strategies, GSA is working to cut space by 40 percent and save taxpayer dollars used for utilities, maintenance and a host of other operating expenses. Other cost-saving efforts include:
 

• The Wireless Sensor Network Data Center Project at the Goodfellow Federal Complex in St. Louis achieved $30,000 in annual cost savings by measuring cooling system efficiency, air pressure, circulation and other factors; analyzing the findings; and making changes to improve efficiency. The simple payback on the project is a mere 3.4 years. The project was part of GSA’s Green Proving Ground, a program to evaluate innovative green technologies and their future use in the public and private sectors. Learn more about this data center project.
• Through energy and water conservation efforts, the region realized nearly $830,000 in utility cost avoidance from March 2011 to March 2012.
• Waste diversion efforts at the regional office complex in Kansas City, Mo., will lower solid waste removal costs by $44,000 annually. Because recycling and composting rates are high, the facility needs fewer trash pick-ups than originally anticipated. The waste removal contract was modified in May 2012.

• The weight of materials the Heartland recycled in fiscal year 2011 is equivalent to the weight of 484 large SUVs.
• The Heartland Region owns one U.S. Green Buildings Council LEED Silver Certified asset and leases space for other federal agencies in 13 buildings that have achieved LEED (five gold, six silver and two certified designations).
• A Green Purchasing Plan is in place to facilitate the procurement of environmentally preferable products and services.
• Heartland GSA is a leader in Guiding Principles compliance -- the foundation of green building for 19 federal agencies. The Heartland Region achieved targets at a higher percent than required by Executive Order.
• GSA is one of only two federal agencies to meet Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan targets in fiscal year 2011. To see how we are meeting the triple bottom line check out our scorecard or other agency scorecards.
• The region has increased employee telework, decreased travel and began utilizing more video teleconferencing in order to save taxpayer dollars, eliminate emissions and improve air quality.
• The agency is reorganizing spaces to embrace mobility and changing work styles.
• GSA is working with industry partners, academia, non-profits and other federal agencies to green the supply chain for products and services.