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Utah Department of
Environmental Quality
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is stepping up its own recycling, energy efficiency and air quality efforts in order to reduce its ecological footprint, and set an example for other state agencies to follow.
“We want DEQ to serve as a model for work place recycling, energy efficiency and air quality,” said Dianne Nielson, executive director of DEQ.
On April 19 – three days before Earth Day – Nielson kicked off the “green” initiative, presenting each employee with an Energy Star Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb (CFL) and asking employees to sign the Energy Star National “Change a Light, Change the World” pledge to save energy and help reduce the impacts of greenhouse gases by replacing at least one incandescent light with a CFL one.
DEQ employees already are good stewards of the environment, noted Leah Ann Lamb, director of the Office of Planning and Public Affairs. “But, I think there are other opportunities we can explore that go beyond what we are doing now.”
Recycling, for example, is practiced throughout the three DEQ buildings where recycling bins are prominently placed to encourage employees to recycle aluminum cans and plastic bottles, instead of throwing them in the trash. DEQ recycled 20,628 pounds of office paper last year alone. Other items collected also include newspapers, phone books, magazines and cardboard. Batteries, cell phones and toner cartridges also are collected as well as computers for reuse.
On the air quality side, DEQ offers its 420 employees discounted UTA bus passes to encourage employees to take mass transit to work. Many employees also are given flexibility to telecommute, particularly on days when pollution levels are high. And some employees drive hybrid cars, which also make up part of DEQ’s motor pool.
Green Team Members
Climate and energy issues also have received more attention under Gov. Jon Huntsman’s PowerForward initiative that requires DEQ to submit an annual report on efforts to support the Governor’s goal of 20 percent increase in energy efficiency by 2015.
“Even so, we can do better to reduce the garbage and air pollution we produce while cutting back on the amount of energy,” said Steve Higley, director of Support Services. “In recycling we need to review our current purchasing procedures and find opportunities to purchase more recycled products.”
Working under the leadership of Lamb and Higley, Sonja Wallace, pollution prevention coordinator, and Daryl Cramer, facilities coordinator, will head a group of employees dubbed the “Green Team” to help develop strategies.
“This initiative will require renewed enthusiasm from employees,” said Wallace. “I look forward to brainstorming ideas on ways we can become more active in promoting sustainability at DEQ.”
Going green also means setting goals and measuring results, noted Nielson. “We need to show measurable results that could serve as a model for other agencies.”
For more information and ideas on making green choices, visit: www.greenchoices.utah.gov.