Saint Paul – In recognition of the forty-seventh Earth Day, the Department of Administration (Admin) highlights initiatives in the last year towards meeting Governor Dayton and Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith’s directive to increase the sustainability and reduce the carbon footprint of state operations.

Admin has incorporated best practices from the private and public sectors to improve the environmental sustainability of its services, facilities and grounds, and purchasing.

“We are reducing the carbon footprint of state government through the products we buy, how we build and power our facilities, the vehicles we drive, and landscaping public grounds,” said Administration Commissioner Matt Massman. “More sustainable operations are not only good for the environment, but typically save money making them a sound business strategy.”

Initiatives that have made state government operations more sustainable include:

78% recycling rate - Admin’s enhanced recycling program, launched in September of 2016, has led to a 78% recycling rate, surpassing the 75% requirement set by the Legislature — 13 years ahead of schedule. We have reduced trash headed for the landfill by 43.4%. Looking ahead, Admin aims to achieve a zero-waste standard (over 90% recycling rate).

Organics recycling - As part of the enhanced recycling program, Admin began recycling organic material throughout the Capitol Complex, including the cafeterias. At the current rate, Admin will divert more than 200,000 tons of organics from landfills in 2017. Some of that organic matter will be used as compost to feed the pollinator-friendly gardens around the Capitol Complex.

Reduced Capitol Complex energy consumption by 23.7% - Since 2008, Admin has reduced energy consumption on the Capitol Complex by 23.7% despite the Capitol Complex population growing by 22.5% due to consolidation of state workspaces. This has resulted in an estimated $12 million in electricity costs avoided, and 96,379 tons less CO2 produced to power the Capitol Complex.

Clean, renewable energy to the Capitol Complex - Beginning May 16, one-third of the Capitol Complex’s electricity will come from solar and wind power generated locally. The innovative Renewable*Connect Government, a pilot program developed by the State and Xcel Energy, could provide a template for other public facilities across the state to use more renewable energy sources.

Pollinator-friendly habitat - Admin has completed five pollinator-friendly gardens and will complete eight more throughout the Capitol Complex by the end of this year. These gardens will attract bees and other pollinators essential for creating and maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Nationally-certified Green Fleet - Admin continues to increase fuel efficiency in the state vehicle fleet. Admin’s fleet now includes 226 hybrid vehicles and 16 fully electric vehicles (including four Nissan Leaf zero-emission vehicles and 12 Chevrolet Volts). The department is installing an additional 40 electric vehicle charging stations in the Capitol Complex for a total of 57 charging stations.

Sustainable purchasing - In a partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Admin has developed a sustainable purchasing program to ensure that products purchased by state agencies do not harm the environment. State contracts for paper, toner cartridges, and office equipment are examples of products that may have high recycled content or high energy efficiency to avoid or mitigate adverse environmental, social, and economic impacts.

Office of Enterprise Sustainability - In August of 2016, Admin created the Office of Enterprise Sustainability (OES), modeled after similar initiatives in Minnesota’s major companies, to partner with state agencies to reduce state government’s carbon footprint, leverage industry expertise and best practices, and increase accountability in sustainable operations. With the help of OES, Admin plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. A 2016 GreenBiz survey found that 3/4 of firms surveyed had dedicated sustainability budgets and 40% are increasing these budgets.

Check out the following sites to learn more about the Office of Enterprise Sustainability or the state’s sustainable purchasing initiative.