Embassies' Efforts to Go Green
Chief of Mission Residence - U.S. Embassy Mexico
Posts everywhere are taking the initiative to make their work place as green as possible. From energy-saving strategies to tips on reducing, reusing and recycling resources and waste, the list below highlights just some of the great work posts are doing in an effort to become environmental stewards. We hope their efforts inpsire you to follow suit!
Energy-Saving Strategies
Bangkok implemented a Green Initiative, cutting unclassified workstation electricity use by 55% with the added benefit of reducing the air conditioning load in a hot climate. Significant projected annual savings suggest an energy-saving strategy that IT can consider implementing worldwide.
Monitors and printers automatically go into a very low power “sleep” mode so the user doesn’t need to turn them off. During the Monday through Friday work week, a scheduled program on a server sends a power -on “Wake-On-LAN” command to each workstation to make it automatically turn itself back on. By the time the user comes in for business, the workstations have finished with their virus and SMS scans.
Recycling
A group of Entry Level Officers (ELOs) at Embassy Mexico formed the “Green Giants” to help establish environmentally-friendly practices and spread awareness. Over the past six months, implementations include a comprehensive recycling program, nightly powering down of all computers, and the introduction of recycled paper for general office use.
In order to ensure that recycling is a top priority for the Embassy, color-coded bins are located throughout the chancery in easy to find places to collect paper, cardboard, aluminum, and plastic bottles. This program debuted on June 15, 2009. Other capabilities include donating all used toner cartridges to the on-site daycare center, which exchanges them for educational material. There is also the capability to recycle small electronic devices as well as used batteries. In the cafeteria, discounts are offered to patrons who bring their own coffee mugs.
Alternative Energy Solutions
Since 2006, the United States Embassy in Stockholm has worked to promote cooperation between the United States and Sweden on alternative energy. Sweden is far advanced in several clean technology sectors, including the next generation biofuels. By introducing young promising Swedish cleantech companies to American investors, scholars, regions, and state officials the Embassy has facilitated transatlantic business worth approximately $200 Million.
The Stockholm mission also initiated the League of Green Embassies which aspire to make overseas chanceries more energy-efficient. Among other things, the Stockholm Mission has undertaken a substantial recycling program, acquired flexifuel vehicles running on ethanol, used OBO-provided funds to convert one government owned residence into geothermal heating, switched to low-energy CFL light bulbs whenever possible in both residences and the chancery, contracted with the provider for electricity generated by 100% renewal sources, and changed to clean district heating.
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