Greening City Operations

What the City is Doing

 

The City of Aspen does a lot to be a good steward of Aspen’s environment, but most people don’t know that the City also has internal programs and initiatives to make sure the city government practices what we preach as an organization. Review our Environmental Policy.

 

In Our Buildings

Purchasing

Recycling and Resource Use

Employee Action

Community Involvement

Transportation

Goals and Targets

Awards

 

 

In Our Buildings:aspen city hall

 

  • Light switches are replaced with occupancy sensors where applicable.
  • Overhead lighting is all efficient, low-mercury fluorescent tube.
  • Faucet fixtures are low-flow with aerators, and old toilets have been retrofitted to be low-flow.
  • New toilets are low-flush or dual-flush toilets.
  • A 21KW solar PV system provides a portion of power to the water plant.
  • The City conducted comprehensive energy  audits to several large buildings.
  • Employees make sure to turn off lights and computers at the end of the work day.
  • Most City buildings powered by Aspen Electric (72 percent renewable energy).

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moneyPurchasing:

 

  • We buy recycled content paper products and office supplies when possible.
  • All contracts specify environmental  requirements, including the "purchase of recycled materials and other supplies that preserve, to the maximum extent possible, the environment and minimize energy consumption for their production or use."
  • Purchase Energy Star rated appliances and replace old appliances with efficient ones.

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Recycling and Resource Use:city hall mini bin for trash
 

    Reduce and Reuse:

    • City employees reuse one-sided paper, print double sided, send all memos and faxes electronically, use reusable dishes and utensils, and use erasable white boards instead of paper.

 

    Recycling and Waste Reduction:

    • City Hall offices all have mini-trash bins and large recycling bins to encourage employees to reduce their trash generation and recycle as much as possible.
    • Chemical management program: Properly dispose of wastes such as batteries, toner and electronics.
    • All City computers are recycled through the local Computer 4 Kids program; all other electronics are recycled through the Pitkin County Landfill’s electronic recycling program.
    • We also recycle plastic bags, phone books, and shipping and packaging materials in all departments.
    • Compost landscape waste: The City's Parks Department composts all landscape waste.
    • We wash all of our cars and equipment in the Streets Department wash bay, where the runoff is collected in an oil / water separation system and does not flow directly into the river.

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Employee Action:

 

  • Green Team: The Green Team is a joint program between City and County employees that aims to enhance awareness of environmental issues through employee education and participation.
  • 'Environmental Values' are a part of employee's review.
  • All City meetings and City hosted events meet ZGreen event standards. www.aspenzgreen.com

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 highway clean up

 

Community Involvement:

 

  • City and employees adopted a highway in conjunction with the County, plan park clean ups and trail maintenance, and restore native wetland areas.
  • Employees are given eight hours of paid volunteer time per year which they can use for environmental or other community service work. 

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rfta bus

Transportation:

 

  • The City provides a fleet of bikes for all employees to use to run errands or go to a meeting.
  • Employees use Hybrid cars, electric vehicles, walk or take the bus to meetings when possible.
  • The city gives employees free bus passes to commute to work.

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Goals and Targets:canary initiative logo

 

  • The Canary Action Plan, the City’s goals and outcomes measures, the Aspen Area Community Plan, and the Ecological Bill of Rights ensure that the City is constantly striving to reduce its carbon footprint and continue to be a leader in the environmental movement.
  • Emissions tracking: The City of Aspen tracks its internal emissions annually. The City has already reduced its internal emissions by 40 percent.

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Awards

 

  • ICLEI Sustainability Leadership Award for Energy Efficiency Innovation
  • Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) Silver Member
  • Innovations in America
  • Renewable Award
  • Member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses
  • Colorado Clean Air Recognition Award (for successful efforts to lower PM-10 levels)
  • Colorado’s Cool Biz Program Member

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