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    MNIT’s Green Team Wins the Sustainability Achievement Award

    8/14/2024 11:15:59 AM

    Background of grass behind an award with recycling symbol in the middle, the text reads Sustainability Achievement Award.

    The Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) Green Team has been honored with the prestigious Sustainability Achievement Award for their efforts in sustainable procurement. This recognition underscores our agency’s commitment to environmental stewardship and highlights our innovative changes to minimize waste and enhance recycling within our agency. 

    About the award 

    The Sustainability Achievement Award is presented by the Enterprise Sustainability Steering Team chaired by Lt. Gov. Flanagan. This achievement recognizes exceptional initiatives that promote sustainability across state agencies. MNIT’s Green Team earned the award for its comprehensive approach to reducing solid waste and improving recycling efforts through strategic procurement changes. 

    The Green Team’s award-winning efforts 

    Our submission for this award detailed several impactful initiatives: 

    1. Documentation and communication of changes to waste and recycling procedures: 

    • Documented solid waste, recycling, and reused items in a detailed table and a PowerPoint presentation. 
    • This analysis helped identify areas for improvement and implement changes to reduce waste and increase recycling. 
    • The presentation is used at MNIT and statewide meetings to educate staff about our sustainability efforts and will soon be available on a dedicated website for all MNIT employees. 

    2. Multi-packs and reusable containers: 

    • Collaborated with vendors to change how electronics and supplies are delivered to the State, shifting to reusable and multi-pack shipping containers (see illustration below).
    • For desktops, using multi-packs will produce:
      • An 8-fold reduction in shipping boxes 
      • A 51% reduction in packaging material weight 
      • 20% average reduction in associated emissions
    • For notebooks using multipacks will produce:
      • A 5-fold reduction in shipping boxes 
      • A 76.6% reduction in packaging material weight 
      • 61% average reduction in associated emissions 
    • Mandating these practices will be included in future contracts, reducing the volume of shipping materials, lowering emissions, and decreasing packaging waste. 
    • When reusable containers are also used and mandated, it should further reduce these amounts. 
    Pallat sizes

    The visual above is an example of multipacks on a pallet and the right visual is an example single packs on a pallet. 

    3. Bulk packing items: 

    • We requested that vendors bulk pack items in larger containers to further reduce packaging needs. 
    • This initiative significantly decreases the volume of shipping materials, emissions, and the weight of packages, making shipping and in-house handling more efficient. 

    4. Internal use of multi-packs and reusable containers: 

    MNIT has also adopted using reusable or multi-pack containers internally for shipping of computers and storage of our equipment, further reducing packaging waste and emissions. 

    5. Straps for pallets: 

    We encouraged vendors to use straps instead of shrink wrap for palletized and large orders to significantly reduce the amount of shrink wrap received, which needs recycling or disposal as solid waste. Currently, MNIT's vendor uses about 72 pounds of shrink wrap annually when shipping orders. By mandating these practices in future contracts, we aim to decrease the volume of shipping materials and reduce packaging waste. 

    Impact on everyday Minnesotans 

    These initiatives have a profound impact on the environment and the community. By reducing waste, recycling and lowering emissions, MNIT is actively contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable Minnesota. By adopting these sustainable practices, we ensure that resources are used efficiently, lessening the burden on landfills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For everyday Minnesotans, this means a healthier environment, cleaner communities, and a brighter, more sustainable future. 

    MNIT is taking the lead in creating sustainable practices within Minnesota's state agencies. By receiving this award, we hope to inspire other agencies to adopt these practices, making them commonplace across the state. We are excited to continue our journey toward sustainability and to share our success story with the broader community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in making this possible. Your dedication and hard work are the driving forces behind this achievement. Together, we can continue to make a positive impact on our environment and pave the way for a sustainable future for all Minnesotans.

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