Following several months of planning, Knox County's "go green" planning committee formally launched the Knox County Green Team at the County's Health and Benefits Fair last week. The mission of the Team is to encourage County employees to "make personal lifestyle changes positively affecting our shared environment through county-wide green initiatives."
To support the new green effort, the Fair had the theme "Think Green for Better Health!" and included a full recycling station. That station gathered 285 pounds (two full-size pickup trucks full) of various materials for recycling, which left only ~3.5 bags of actual garbage for disposal.
Of the more than 800 employees who attended the event, 160 signed up to participate as a Green Team member. To join the Team, employees have to sign a pledge "to make a conscious effort to reduce waste, conserve energy and resources, and live a green lifestyle!" Each member commits to completing an Energy Right home audit and to making green efforts in four areas (home, work, community, shopping, traveling, or garden and diet). A Green Team page has been established on the employee intranet that provides environmental tips, links, and suggested reading material.
Employees were surveyed earlier in the month about their green habits. Nearly 75% of those responding indicated they recycle daily at home. More than 80% recycle daily at work. Most employees who responded (87.4%) said the current economic and environmental situations are a factor in their efforts to become more green at home and in the workplace.
In the coming months, the County will be launching a public web page to provide information on the green efforts that County government is making to conserve resources.
