|
|
|
OC Road Going Green Internally
OC Road staff have researched Green industry periodicals and collectively brainstormed to develop a list of reasonable and implementable recommendations to reduce paper products and energy usage, and to recycle and reuse paper products in the office, including:
Recyclable products
Reduce Paper Use (Save Paper)
- Use recycled paper products
- Print on both sides for draft documents
- Send an email or use fax service to reduce printing
- Recycle paper: paper produced via day to day activities and industry periodicals
- Read and electronically share/file information and data deferring printing unless necessary
Saving Power
- Adjust computer and monitor to most energy-efficient settings
- Use natural light whenever possible
- Power down equipment at the end of the day
- Put office lights on motion detection timers, set to short setting
Reducing Waste
- Purchase durable furniture (last longer). Whenever possible, fix/repair furniture, instead of sending to landfill when broken or worn out
- Return ink and toner cartridges to be refilled or recycled
- Donate computers and electronic devices to an organization that will refurbish/recycle components, instead of sending to landfill
- Use small desk recycling bins (located in each cubicle)
- Reduce use of foam cups & plates and purchase reusable cups & plates for office events
- Do proofreading and edits on computer in “Track Change” and return electronically
- Transmit large documents electronically via email whenever possible, rather than as hard copy, allowing recipient to choose which portions to print
- Re-use file folders by placing new labels over old ones
- Option to download electronic Bid Documents (Plans and Special Provisions) from website is to be investigated to determine whether the State allows such a practice (sovereignty of bid documents and guaranteeing against changes to documents)
- Saves paper; reduces waste from printing too many bid books/plans
- Saves bidders and the County time and money
- More convenient for bidders as they may view a set of construction documents and then determine whether they wish to bid, without having to purchase such documents;
- Saves gas (bidders do not need to come to County offices to pick up bid books)
OC Road staff reviewed many Green industry articles and handbooks to help identify suggestions that could be implemented to foster green infrastructure. As defined in this context, green infrastructure represents those best management practices that recycle, reuse and reduce materials in transportation projects across the nation, and could be implemented here within unincorporated Orange County. OC Road is considering, evaluating, or already implementing green street suggestions thru the following areas:
|
|
|
|
|