Lead by Example

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Lead by Example

The City of Columbus has a direct, daily impact on the environment. We buy goods needed to run the City - - paper, appliances, cleaning supplies, vehicles, uniforms and so forth. We drive City vehicles - - in 2006, City vehicles traveled more than 28 million miles. We hire construction contractors to build roads, sidewalks, water and sewer lines, and buildings. We generate waste - - paper, obsolete electronics, used oil and so forth.

All of these activities impact our environment. As part of our Get Green Columbus commitment, we are doing what we can to minimize these impacts.

To lead by example, the City will take at least the following steps:

Green Procurement: In 2006, City Council enacted a change in the City’s procurement code to include a preference for environmentally preferable bidders, vendors and contractors. This will allow the city to make better, more environmentally sound, choices in its purchasing of goods and services.
Green Fleet: In 2007, the City intends to implement a Green Fleet policy. This policy will include looking at alternative vehicles and alternative fuels.
City Recycling: The City has instituted recycling in all of its buildings. The recycling includes paper, aluminum and plastic. In 2006, the City diverted 343 tons of recycled material from the landfill as a result of this effort.
Green Buildings: The City is committed to building green buildings for City use. Currently, the City plans to build a fire station, a police station and a health center using LEED certification, a nationally recognized green certification system. The City is also going to include green elements in other new and rehabilitated City buildings.