CURRENT COUNTY SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES

The government of Johnson County, Kansas, is undertaking a number of initiatives to reduce waste and to operate in a more sustainable manner. These efforts are focused on conserving and using energy more efficiently in buildings, using less fuel in fleet vehicles, using gases from wastewater treatment processes to generate power, reducing solid waste, and conserving water. Staff education is also a focus and is critical to the success of our efforts; employees who understand the principles of sustainability are more likely to perform their work in a way that contributes to the achievement of the county's sustainability goals and to adopt sustainable behaviors outside of the workplace.

Below are some examples of work the county is currently undertaking as part of its sustainability program:

• Greenhouse gas inventory and tracking
• Building design and construction
• Energy efficiency and conservation in buildings
• Environmentally preferable purchasing
• Waste reduction
• Education and outreach
• Wastewater cogeneration projects
• Fleet operations
• Information technology
• Organizational and community sustainability strategy framework