By Kevin Crosson, Pollution Prevention coordinator and Catherine Hurley, Sustainability Program manager (PMO)
At Argonne, we reduce our environmental impact by championing practices that conserve energy, divert waste, conserve water, reduce fuel consumption and reduce pollution. Our Sustainability Program works closely with many stakeholders to upgrade infrastructure and engage with the laboratory community to reduce our impact on the environment. These practices reflect Argonne’s commitment to sustainable solutions for our campus.
Teamwork is a critical component of Argonne’s sustainability program and our team includes all members of the laboratory community. To continue our momentum and impact, the team needs ongoing inspiration from successful efforts within the laboratory and beyond Argonne. Sharing best practices and lessons learned helps to deepen our understanding of what works and identify new solutions that we can apply across the laboratory.
The Sustainability Program is launching the “Green in Action” series as an ongoing venue to learn from our regional colleagues on their sustainability efforts and highlight the Argonne programs and opportunities to increase our local impact.
Our first Green in Action series will focus on composting. In July, Argonne launched a food scrap and paper towel composting program, which aims to increase our waste diversion rate by 24 percent and increase the laboratory’s total diversion rate to around 68 percent. Our guest speaker, Jennifer Nelson, from Seven Generations Ahead, will share her experiences implementing composting and waste diversion programs across Chicagoland. We will then discuss Argonne’s composting program and how occupants can participate. Visit Inside Argonne for additional information on Argonne’s composting program.
The first session will be Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Building 362 Auditorium. All site occupants are welcome to join us for this exciting kick-off of the Green in Action series. Bring your own lunch and join us for an informative hour. Add to Your Calendar
Additional lunchtime presentations of the Green in Action series will occur over the next 12 months. Each will focus on a different sustainability topic and Argonne programs that help us to make our everyday actions sustainable.
More information about the Sustainability Program can be found on Argonne’s new website. Submit questions or comments on this series to sustainability@anl.gov.