A Green-Minded Government

A new consciousness has enveloped the corporate world ever since the alarming aftermaths of global warming reached public knowledge. From the largest offices to the humblest household, it seems everyone in the United States of America is investing effort and money to increase the environmental sustainability of their tools and practices.

Yes, this is also especially true for government agencies.

One of President Obama's goals way back in 2009 was to reduce the government's carbon footprint by getting federal agencies to buy more energy-efficient appliances and electronic systems, observe more sustainable practices such as using stormwater for non-potable purposes (e.g., flushing toilets), and getting alternative, more environmentally friendly means of transportation. The main goal of these efforts is to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the government by 28% come 2020.

As a provider, green products are more expensive to manufacture and sustainable services a tad more difficult to perform. This means that the government is ready to spend more money for the same products and services, only greener. The supply should always complement the demand, so more environmentally conscious products are in order for your business as well.

But exactly where is the government now in its goal for a more sustainable operation? Here are some instances from four federal agencies (this might give you an idea of the services and goods they're looking for):

Department of Defense

•   The Air Force two years ago increased its alternative fuel vehicle inventory by 2,112, or 27 percent, to 10,037 total alternative fuel vehicles.

• The Air Force Information Management Office is using a new telework center in Rosslyn, Va. for 48 workers, a project expected to save about $314,000 annually in costs.

Environmental Protection Agency

• The agency is gathering rooftop runoff rainwater in large cisterns and storing the water in manufactured tanks or underground storage areas. The water is being used for flushing and cooling at EPA’s Kansas City, Kan., Science and Technology Center, for green roof irrigation at EPA’s Narragansett, R.I. laboratory, for toilet flushing at the Gulf Breeze Computational Science Building in Florida, and for landscape irrigation at the agency headquarters in Washington.

•  All EPA facilities are observing waste reduction programs and recycling of paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastic, and aluminum containers.

• Facilities also are recyling fluorescent bulbs, toner and ink jet cartridges and CDs, DVDs, scrap metal, wood and batteries.

• They are also composting food waste.

Department of the Interior

• The department is minimizing building energy consumption and reducing its dependence on of traditional sources of power in favor of using more renewable sources.


• The department is consolidating its computer data centers to reduce energy use.

Department of Homeland Security

• The department is replacing older vehicles with high-efficiency vehicles with low greenhouse gas emissions.

• The department developed a program to replace its law enforcement vehicles with alternative fuel vehicles. 

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