City of Asheville Case Studies
Environmental Sustainability 2000 for Internal Operations
Background:
Waste Reduction Partners supported a City of Asheville program to develop an Environmental Sustainability initiative for internal operations. WRP assessors functioned as technical consultants to the City Charter Team, which represented all major City departments. WRP volunteers provided information on sustainability issues and conducted a number of waste, water and energy efficiency assessments of the City’s Fleet Operations, Print Shop, City Hall building, and Water Resources Dept/Regional Water Authority. WRP helped the City of Asheville emulate NC Governor Hunt’s environmental sustainability project for state agencies. Several recommendations have been implemented and the City’s Mayor has invited other communities to follow Asheville’s model.
Recommendations:
WRP engineers identified several areas for reducing waste and energy throughout the city, including the following highlights. In fleet operations, WRP assessors suggested improvements to lighting, parts washers, antifreeze recycling, and recommended a by-pass oil filter/oil-monitoring program to dramatically reduce oil waste. WRP has facilitated a working group and workshop to help the City begin an Alternative Fuel Vehicle program. An energy efficiency assessment of City Hall identified substantial savings in lighting and HVAC upgrades as well as suggesting water efficiency measures. Several energy efficiency recommendations were made for the Regional Water Authority’s water treatment plant and its numerous pump stations. Assessors also made suggestions to enhance recycling activities at the print shop as well as to make environmentally preferable purchasing a standard policy. Citywide policy recommendations were also provided. As of Spring 2000, the City had already implemented improved cardboard recycling programs, new non-hazardous parts washers, lighting fixture upgrades, and better paper recycling in the Print Shop. Planned projects for FY 2001 include better antifreeze recycling unit, more non-hazardous parts washers, and a variety of lighting upgrades. Other projects underdevelopment include: used oil filter recycling, employee awareness programs, by-pass oil filter trial, use of soy-based ink in printing and an AFV program.
WRP Team included: Joe Rowden, Terry Albrecht, Art Lins, Roger Ambrose, Len Urback, Art Martin, Bob Gumbinner, Don Hollister, and Bill Albright.