El Paso Texas, July 28, 2008 – The County of El Paso is doing its best to help the environment and develop a green culture within its departments and among its employees. Today, Commissioners Court approved a motion to implement six recommendations suggested by the Facilities Management Department.
FDM Interim Director Manny Lucero and Executive Assistant Monique Aguilar gave an assessment of the current pilot program before Commissioners Court.
Since the beginning of May this year, a total of 50 recycling boxes were distributed amongst different department within the Courthouse where paper, cardboard, aluminum, metal, tin and plastic containers (1 and 2) could be placed for recycling.
The program works exactly the same way the city’s curbside recycling program works.
The Facilities Management Department reported positive results after just three months of being implemented and specifically made six recommendations:
- Authorize a permanent recycling program at the Courthouse
- Authorize the FMD to implement the program at the MDR Building, Northeast Annex, and Mission Valley Annex, beginning in FY08-09 as feasible and appropriate
- Authorize recycling programs at other County facilities that are not under the FMD budget, such as the Sheriff Headquarters Building, Detention Facilities, Juvenile Probation, Justices of the Peace, County-owned Community Centers, and Ascarate Park if they choose to participate
- Establish County-wide recycling policies that include requiring departments to return printer cartridges whenever feasible, encourage responsible practices, and prohibit the disposal of hazardous materials in the regular trash collection
- Encourage departments to consider a manufacturer’s cartridge/toner recycling programs when purchasing new printers and copiers;
- Encourage departments to provide continuous education and guidance to their employees in order to maintain a successful program.
##########
|