Peoria Focus Online - 2008, Issue 4

City Workers Infuse Public Service with Ecology

A group of municipal employees has been working since April on ways the city work force can become more eco-friendly. Its mission: “to promote environmental awareness and encourage participation in environmental programs among employees.”

Led by Transit Manager Randy Roberts, the 17-member Green Team is focusing initially on conservation, recycling and trip reduction – specifically, cutting down on paper use, boosting office recycling and conserving electricity, fuel and water.

The effort is aimed to reduce the environmental

City employees are focused on conserving resources, which saves money and reduces environmental impact. Most large city vehicles, like this recycling truck, use bio-diesel fuel.

impacts of city operations – but just about all of the initiatives being pursued will save money too.

The focus on environmental responsibility is starting to take root. Several city offices have begun conducting “paperless meetings,” in which the agenda and supporting documents are projected on a screen. In addition, the Public Works Department’s Fleet and Transit divisions have developed a presentation for city employees on conserving fuel – in city vehicles and on their own time.

 “We’ve developed these presentations to talk with people about the environmental benefits of fuel conservation,” says Public Works Director Bill Mattingly.

Finally, the Green Team has created a page on the city’s intranet that highlights employee environmental news and events, offers energy-saving tips and promotes the city’s internal greening efforts. A public Web page with similar information is in the works.

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