Oregon DOC Receives Two Awards for Outstanding Sustainability Efforts
(SALEM, Ore) — The Oregon Department of Corrections was recently presented with two awards for its commitment to sustainability practices, a Portland Business Journal Innovation in Sustainability Award, and the Governor's Sustainability Award from Business Oregon.
On November 18, the Portland Business Journal presented DOC with a 2014 Innovation in Sustainability Award in the "waste" category for its commitment to recycling.
Part of DOC's efforts in this area is the development of a fully-operational recycling center that collects all recyclables from the department's 14 prisons.
The center recycles everything from ballistic vests to metals to shoes.
On December 10, Secretary of State Kate Brown presented DOC with the Governor's Sustainability Award at the Northwest Environmental Conference, hosted by the Oregon Sustainability Board and Business Oregon.
DOC was one of only two recipients honored with the Governor's Award, which promotes and advances the use of sustainable practices in government and the private sector.
DOC was specifically recognized for:
Completing energy audits at five of its facilities and creating site-specific plans for operational improvements, capital projects, and behavioral activities,
Using integrated and natural pest management practices,
Implementing green chemistry initiatives at its facilities,
Leasing land to food banks at no charge to grow produce for food banks,
Developing gardens at all 14 prisons (yielding more than 210,000 pounds of produce in 2013),
and Starting significant wildlife and habitat conservation activities, including restoration work at a Savanna Haven and providing habitat for the Oregon silverspot butterfly and sage grouse.
"DOC is a large organization, spanning across the state, with over five million square feet of facilities," said DOC Director Colette S. Peters.
"We take seriously our responsibility to mitigate the carbon footprint in Oregon.
We are honored and humbled to receive these awards, which celebrate our commitment to achieving long-term sustainability goals."
