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
Building Team | Jul 11, 2016
Addressing client concerns about design-assist
Common concerns about DA include lack of familiarity, obtaining competitive pricing, and design liability.
Sponsored | Building Team | Jul 11, 2016
Construction Disruption at AECX: Technology, hackathons and the promise of change in LA
The lead up to AECX featured a discussion providing insight into the current state of the AEC technological revolution by exploring opportunities, challenges and choices AEC pros face.
Green | Jul 1, 2016
Perkins Eastman pledges to use EDGE green building system for five upcoming international projects
The firm will partner with the International Finance Corporation to promote sustainable building in emerging markets like India and China.
Healthcare Facilities | Jul 1, 2016
AIA releases summary of the 2016 Design and Health Research Consortium
Consortium members discussed how architects, designers, and health professionals can best apply design and health research in their communities.
Architects | Jun 30, 2016
The year's best small projects include a floating sauna, dental trailer, and smocked porch
AIA chose the 2016 recipients of the Small Project Awards. Every entry cost less than $1.5 million to build, with one as low as $900.
Architects | Jun 29, 2016
AIA: Healthy demand for all building types signaled in Architecture Billings Index
Recent client interest could signal resurgence for institutional market. May's ABI score was the highest mark in nearly a year.
Architects | Jun 28, 2016
5 easy ways architects can increase their profits
Whitehorn Financial Managing Principal Steve Whitehorn offers effective ways to recoup lost revenue, including a few strategies that capitalize on recent changes to the federal tax code.
AEC Tech | Jun 27, 2016
If ‘only the paranoid survive,’ what does it take to thrive?
“Sooner or later, something fundamental in your business world will change.” The late Andrew Grove (1936-2016), Co-founder of tech giant Intel Corp., lived by these words.
Architects | Jun 15, 2016
Design Thinking makes its way into Yale School of Management
The school will introduce Design Observer co-founders Jessica Helfand and Michael Bierut as faculty.
Retail Centers | Jun 14, 2016
Zaha Hadid and Gensler among finalists for Sunset Strip billboard design competition
The concepts are curvy, sleek, and multidimensional, and feature sharp digital displays.