Beyond Waste home > Navigate to a plan section > Recommendation ORG1 — Lead by example in state government

Recommendation ORG 1 — Lead by example in government.

Government will lead by example both through organics recovery programs as well as through the purchase and use of more recycled organic products. Specifically, governments will:

• Maximize procurement of recycled organic products and use of products that do not lead to contamination of organic materials.
• Establish programs and clear guidelines on food waste prevention at residential, commercial, and institutional levels.
• Include compost as a component of Environmentally Preferable Purchasing, and Integrated Pest Management programs.
• Identify incentives to increase organic management programs at state and local government agencies, and institutions.
• Advertise success of organics recycling projects.

Milestone ORG E: Most people (government, business, and the public) understand the benefits of healthy soils.

Milestone ORG J: Organics recovery (including landscaping and food scraps) occurs in 50 percent of all state and local government buildings and institutions, including the Capitol Campus. State and local agencies and institutions are required to use compost as a landscape management tool to reduce water and pesticide use.

Milestone ORG M: Food waste prevention is a focus of state and local government. This includes edible food recovery for redistribution to organizations serving hungry people and food waste prevention programs at the residential, commercial, and institutional level. Work will be supported by a guidance document developed by Ecology.

Links and Resources

• Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Landscaping and Grounds Management
• Managing Food Scraps at Institutions and Agencies
• Building Soil.org for Builders, Developers, and Landscapers

<-- Back              Next --> Back to main initiative