Pacific Southwest Research Station and Region 5 Sustainable Operations Survey Report

摘要

This report presents findings from a survey of USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region (Region 5) and Pacific Southwest Research Station1 employees regarding sustainable operations. Issues surrounding waste management (i.e., recycling) and waste reduction, energy conservation, water conservation, transportation, other actions currently taken, and barriers and facilitators to sustainable operations were explored. This information was gathered to inform sustainable operations efforts in the region and station. I surveyed employees based on the view that employees individual actions and attitudes have a large influence on effectiveness of sustainable operations efforts. The presentation represents interpretation based on answers of the respondents (a total of 451, resulting in a response rate of 26.4 percent) and is not designed to draw conclusions about all employees within the region and station. Findings offer insights into current and potential practices aimed at sustainable operations in the region and station. The majority of waste-reduction measures (seven of nine), reuse of materials (four of six), and energy conservation measures (four of five) were frequently engaged in. Five of seven item types were frequently recycled. This suggests a number of sustainable practices are already in place. Efforts to share fleet vehicles and to downsize were generally supported and practiced. There were, however, situations where respondents expressed concerns important to consider in efforts to broaden both of these measures, particularly when field workers or emergency personnel were involved. Some measures indicated room for improvement. Most traveled to work alone and did not feel they had been encouraged to carpool or use public transportation. Less than a majority reported programs in place to recycle a range of items at their work location. Among those who make purchases, green purchasing occurred about 34 percent of the time.