Once every two weeks, janitors at the United States Department of Agriculture break open a new pallet of paper towels they’ll use to fill dispensers in 100 bathrooms scattered along seven miles of corridors throughout the USDA complex in Washington D.C. That’s at least two tons of paper a month—more than 24 tons a year. It’s no wonder that waste reduction is the USDA’s highest priority, when it comes to going green.
As the largest building on the National Mall and “the seat of Department leadership,” USDA officials want their headquarters to be “a model facility for others wishing to implement waste reduction and waste minimization programs,” according to the Waste Minimization Plan.
Although much of the USDA’s plan involves recycling, officials took a major step toward stopping waste at its source by installing 20 high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryers in restrooms throughout the USDA headquarters; the USDA reports seeing an immediate 50% reduction in the use of paper towels.
The high-speed energy-efficient dryers also deliver a 95% cost savings compared to paper towels and have a pay back period of less than one year. A Peer reviewed Life Cycle Assessment confirmed that high-speed dryers reduce the carbon footprint of hand drying by 50-70% when compared to both traditional hand dryers and 100% recycled paper towels.
All told, officials say the high-speed hand dryers are:
- Eliminating more than five tons of paper towel waste per year
- Lowering the cost of purchasing paper towels
- Reducing paper towel disposal fees
- Improving bathroom hygiene; there are now fewer wet paper towels trapping germs and overflowing onto the bathroom floor
The agency has targeted the biggest contributors to its waste stream, and high on the list is janitorial services and the extraordinary costs of supplying restrooms with paper towels; in fact, paper towels cost more than any other restroom supply or product.
By dramatically reducing paper towel waste, janitors are now concentrating on tasks more critical than simply taking out the trash; janitors are now more focused and efficient because they are hauling away less paper towel trash—five million pounds less.
Overall, combined efforts of the Green Team and all USDA employees have reduced trash pick-ups at the complex from five to four per week, according to the most updated information posted on the USDA Web site.
By reducing the total number of “Trash Picks,” the USDA has:
- Eliminated 52 round trips to the USDA headquarters by big-rig diesel pick-up trucks
- Reduced the amount of diesel fuel being used
- Lowered airborne emissions of diesel exhaust and particulate pollution
- Cut greenhouse gas emissions from trucks traveling to the dump
- Reduced the amount of trash going into local landfills
- Saved $30,000 in dumpster fees
Removing paper towels and rolling out high-speed hand dryers remains a growing part of the agriculture department’s overall waste reduction program. Officials plan to continue installing XLERATOR hand dryers throughout USDA headquarters as they move ever closer to paper-free restrooms. +
Related Stories
Great Solutions | Aug 23, 2016
11 great solutions for the commercial construction market
A roll-up emergency department, next-gen telemedicine center, and biophilic cooling pods are among the AEC industry’s clever ideas and novel innovations for 2016.
| Aug 19, 2016
RECONSTRUCTION GIANTS: Facelifts give buildings new identities, even as they keep a few wrinkles
Reconstruction is always a balancing act between the client’s pro forma and what the building needs to be vibrant again.
| Aug 19, 2016
Top 130 Reconstruction Architecture Firms
The Beck Group, Stantec, and IMC Consruction top Building Design+Construction’s annual ranking of the nation’s largest reconstruction sector architecture and A/E firms, as reported in the 2016 Giants 300 Report.
| Aug 18, 2016
LOCAL GOVERNMENT GIANTS: A ranking of the nation’s top design and construction firms in local sector work
HOK, Stantec, Turner Construction Co.,Clark Group, AECOM and STV top Building Design+Construction’s annual rankings of the nation’s largest local government sector AEC firms, as reported in the 2016 Giants 300 Report.
| Aug 18, 2016
STATE GOVERNMENT GIANTS: A ranking of the nation’s top design and construction firms in state sector work
CannonDesign, Stantec, Turner Construction Co.,Mortensen Construction, WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff and AECOM top Building Design+Construction’s annual rankings of the nation’s largest state government sector AEC firms, as reported in the 2016 Giants 300 Report.
Hotel Facilities | Aug 17, 2016
First of its kind tri-branded Marriott hotel under construction in downtown Nashville
The hotel will combine the AC Hotels, Residence Inn, and SpringHill Suites brands.
University Buildings | Aug 16, 2016
New images of Rice University’s Moody Center for the Arts revealed by Michael Maltzan Architecture
The arts center will foster creativity for making and presenting works across all disciplines
Designers | Aug 16, 2016
CCDI, Morphosis, and Diller Scofidio + Renfro are among ten finalists vying for Chinese Eco-Island design
The winning firm will design the master plan and central buildings for the man made Haikou Bay island.
Mixed-Use | Aug 16, 2016
Goettsch Partners completes mixed-use tower in R&F Yingkai Square
The 66-story building is now the 7th tallest completed building in Guangzhou.
| Aug 15, 2016
SPORTS FACILITY GIANTS: New and renovated college sports venues - designed to serve students and the community
Schools are renovating existing structures or building new sports facilities that can serve the student body and surrounding community.