Illinois Department of Corrections launches sustainability program
Initiative
designed to promote efficiency and conservation of resources
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[June 18, 2012]
SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Department
of Corrections has launched its first Sustainability Initiative, a
plan to build a culture of conservation within the agency to empower
staff and offenders to be better stewards of natural resources.
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"The department recognizes the important environmental and economic
benefits in becoming more sustainable," said Illinois Department of
Corrections Director Salvador "Tony" Godinez. "We are dedicated to
using common-sense solutions and innovation to define our approach
in implementing sustainable practices in our daily operations." A
cornerstone of the Sustainability Initiative is improving the
economic and environmental efficiency of IDOC operations. That means
conserving energy and water, recycling and composting waste, and
growing more food. The multifaceted program will save taxpayer
dollars and help create job-training opportunities to provide
offenders with the skills they need to take advantage of Illinois'
fast-growing "green collar" sector upon their release.
While the Sustainability Initiative identifies goals throughout
the department, it also calls for a "bottom up" approach to
encouraging sustainability throughout the agency. Each facility has
a sustainability committee that will be tasked with driving
innovation and creative practices at the local level, while keeping
in the mind the unique attributes of their facilities.
Several IDOC facilities have been involved in sustainability
projects for some time. The Menard Correctional Center, for example,
has been recognized at both the state and national level for
leadership in sustainable practices and programs, such as biodiesel
production and the manufacture of certified green cleaning products.
Other examples are the horticulture program at Logan Correctional
Center and the recycling programs at Centralia and Shawnee
correctional centers. The department will build on these successful
efforts, which will serve as templates for similar initiatives
throughout the agency.
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In conjunction with the Sustainability Initiative, the department
has also launched a new website that outlines the agency's efforts
to implement sustainable practices at facilities statewide. For more
information, visit
http://www2.illinois.gov/
idoc/aboutus/Pages/Sustainability.aspx.
[Text from
Illinois Department of
Corrections file received from the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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