The organizational element of the Green Doctor Office Program (GDOP) for the Escambia County Health Department (ECHD) was accomplished via the ECHD’s 2008-2011 Strategic Planning Process, directed by the ECHD’s Executive Management Team (EMT). The EMT voted on objectives that the ECHD needed to accomplish during the implementation of the Strategic Plan. To complete the objectives a champion within EMT was chosen to guide the ECHD through the accomplishment of each objective.

Two to three divisions were assigned to each objective and developed action plans for implementation within their division (or across the whole ECHD) to help the ECHD meet its objectives. The ECHD chose as one of its objectives “Create a Green Workplace”. The champions for this objective were Dr. John Lanza, the ECHD’s Director, and Robert Merritt, the ECHD’s Environmental Health Director.

The action plan for the ECHD’s “Green Workplace” objective had several elements: select green initiatives that would be implemented, select specific action steps, and select measures that would reflect success. The green initiatives and measures that were chosen were subject to approval by the EMT. The measures that were approved by the EMT to reflect success included: implement at least three green initiatives and then calculate their energy/carbon footprint calculations.

The EMT meets every Thursday morning and discussions about implementation of the strategic objectives became part of that meeting, however implementation was not discussed at every meeting. The ECHD “Green Workplace” is an ongoing process. As a result of this ongoing process the champions have presented two new initiatives for the ECHD to accomplish in 2011:

1) install battery operated sensor faucets in all ECHD restrooms; and 2) pilot the use of certified recycled copy paper in the Environmental Health division.

Two “Green” initiatives that were implemented within the ECHD just prior to our 2008-2011 strategic planning process included the discontinuation of hot water throughout all ECHD’s buildings and the discontinuation of personal electric devices such as space heaters, coffee pots, etc. The one personal electric device that can be still be used throughout the ECHD buildings is a small portable fan.

The ECHD has implemented an aggressive energy efficiency effort in all locations over which we have direct management including six buildings at five locations in Escambia County. We have verified that the action steps taken by the ECHD to reduce our energy consumption have both reduced the amount of energy used and our carbon footprint. The ECHD has two energy suppliers: Energy Services of Pensacola for natural gas and Gulf Power Company for electricity.

The predominant means of producing electricity by Gulf Power is coal. Below is a list of the action steps the ECHD has implemented to reduce our energy consumption and carbon footprint. The reduction in energy consumption decreased our annual energy bill, thereby, releasing funds that can be redirected into public health services for the community. To accomplish the energy reduction strategy detailed in this document the ECHD reduced or eliminated energy demand devices. We did not make any large capital expenditures to accomplish the reductions.

The ECHD evaluated energy usage from our two energy suppliers for the twelve month period prior to and the most recent twelve month period post implementation of energy conservation measures. A net energy reduction was achieved during every month. The net energy usage reduction was approximately 342.54 kilowatt hours or 5.22% per day lower than the twelve month daily energy usage prior to the implementation of the energy reduction initiatives. This equates to an annual savings of approximately 125,000 kilowatt hours or an annual savings of $14,000 per year. The savings is based on a rate of $.112 per kilowatt hour. The kilowatt savings is enough energy to supply seven Florida homes for one year. The energy usage data  was obtained from the Gulf Power Company and Energy Services of Pensacola.

Our carbon-dioxide equivalent emissions were reduced by approximately 85,600 pounds or the equivalent of at least 4,349 gallons of gasoline. This directly improves air quality issues for the citizens of Escambia County. The reduction is the cumulative savings realized from our energy reduction, use of recycled copy paper and hybrid vehicles initiatives. Source of calculation:  Pacific Gas and Electric Carbon Footprint Calculator and Environmental Defense Paper and  Carbon Footprint Calculator.

Preventing climate change and encouraging energy efficiency are both related to public health outcomes. We can be a leader by supporting carbon emissions reduction efforts through more “green” decisions and behavior, reducing operating costs and displaying greater environmental responsibility.

Action Steps to Accomplish the ECHD Energy Efficiency Initiative

1) The ECHD removed one half of all fluorescent bulbs from the existing light fixtures.

We tested several of the offices after the removal of the light fixtures with a light meter to confirm that the lighting level did not go below acceptable standards for an office environment. There were a few offices/locations that did not meet acceptable standards for lighting, and in these locations full lighting was restored. If desk lamps are needed, they must use compact fluorescent bulbs. Please remember that most fluorescent bulbs contain mercury and should be disposed of properly. Most Lowe’s and Home Depot have free recycling of fluorescent light bulbs.

2) The ECHD had employees remove all personal appliances with the exception of personal use fans. Many employees had coffee pots, personal heaters, and other devices in their offices that not only consumed electricity but were a fire hazard.

3) The ECHD turned off the hot water to ALL buildings including the rest rooms and clinic areas. A search of the literature validated that hot water is not required for proper hand washing/hygiene. The key component of hand washing that prevents infection is hand friction.

4) Our contract administrator negotiated with our leasing vendor for copiers and fax machines to assure that all new lease agreements will utilize energy efficient models.

5) The ECHD implemented a policy that when leaving an office the employee should assure that lights are turned off. We have installed motion sensors for the lights in all restrooms and many of our conference rooms, as well as the Health Department Director’s office. (this is two Action Steps TLS, 12/8/2010)

6) The ECHD has notices on all exterior doors utilized by employees stating “Do not  prop door open. Door must be closed at all times.” This is done for both security and energy efficiency. (one Education Step, TLS 12/8/2010)

7) We have asked employees to please engage the “energy saving” button when their use of the copier is completed. To reinforce this policy, some ECHD divisions have placed notes/signs on the copiers to remind the employees to engage the “energy saving” button. This saves energy, reduces the heat generated by the copier, and cuts down on the noise that the copier generates when not in the “energy saving” function.

(One Education and one Acton Step, TLS 1/8/2010)

8) The ECHD has purchased five hybrid vehicles instead of five conventional gas-only vehicles for our fleet. The annual savings of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions is approximately 14,500 pounds per year for all five vehicles. Pacific Gas and Electric  Carbon Footprint Calculator.(This is 1 Transportation Step and one Education Step, TLS 12/8/10)

Implementation Element for Workbook 4 Solid Waste and Recycling

The ECHD has implemented an aggressive recycling and solid waste reduction initiative at all of our locations. The ECHD utilizes the City of Pensacola’s Sanitation Service (city locations) and the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (county locations) recycling pickup services to remove our accumulated recycled materials on a weekly basis. Our contracted cleaning vendor agreed to remove the recycled materials from the recycling containers located inside our buildings and empty the recycled materials into the outside containers at no additional cost. The sanitation companies mentioned above supplied the large waste containers that all recycling materials are emptied into, which they pick up on a weekly basis.

The ECHD purchased one blue recycling container for each office/work space, conference room and other areas where recycling material is generated. Large blue recycling containers were placed near every copy machine.

We converted to the use of recycled copy paper that contains at least 30% post consumer fiber at all of our locations. We also implemented a process where all duplex capable printers and copiers were set to default to print on both sides of the paper. Our Information Technology (IT) program employees assisted each division to ensure that printers with duplex capabilities were activated. This has assisted in reducing the increase in cost of recycled copy paper.

The department implemented a records scanning process for all of our records that must be maintained for compliance purposes. This achievement has resulted in a savings of approximately $5,500 per year just in the cost of medical tabs. This savings was calculated by obtaining our actual purchase of 5,000 standard medical tabs in July 2009. The cost for the 5,000 tabs was $1.10 per tab or $5,625 including freight. There was an initial capital investment to purchase the scanning software and hardware, however, the reductions in storage space, purchase of tabs and labor cost to manually store the records will over time compensate for the initial capital expenditure.

Through the use of recycled paper, recycled toner and ink jet cartridges, other recycling initiatives and our energy efficiency initiatives already discussed, we have reduced our carbon foot print by at least 85,600 pounds per year. This reduction in our carbon-dioxide equivalent emissions is equivalent to at least 4,349 gallons of gasoline. This reduction further improves air quality for the citizens of Escambia County. To determine our savings for carbon-dioxide equivalent air emissions we used the Environmental Defense Paper and Carbon Footprint  Calculator and Pacific Gas and Electric Carbon Footprint Calculator.

Action Steps to Accomplish the ECHD Solid Waste  and  Recycling Initiative

1) The ECHD implemented a policy that all divisions would utilize copy paper that had at least 30% post-consumer fiber content. This initiative alone reduced our green house gas/CO2 equivalent foot print by 6,110 pounds annually. Environmental Defense Paper  and Carbon Footprint Calculator

2) The ECHD implemented the use of recycled paper products in all restrooms within ECHD controlled locations. We have also installed automatic paper towel dispensers along with automatic soap dispensers in one of our facilities. There was an initial cost to purchase the automatic soap and paper towel dispensers. 3) When available, many ECHD divisions purchase office products that utilize recycled materials.

4) Our IT division has activated the duplex option on all printers that have this feature available so that both sides of the paper are utilized as the default option when printed materials are in excess of one page.

5) The ECHD implemented a recycling program for all locations that includes the recycling of paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, metal cans, aluminum cans and glass containers. We utilized our existing sanitation providers for pickup of the materials and our existing cleaning company for removing the recycled material and placing them into the larger recycle containers at no increased cost.

6) When recycled toner and printer cartridges are available for the printer or copier, they are purchased. If the printer or copier does not have a recycled product equivalent, we return the used toner or printer cartridge to the manufacturer. In the ECHD’s case that is Hewlett Packard. To implement the process, we went onto their website to register for this process. They send us the return labels and or containers and there is no return postage fee. Many office supply locations will take back used printer and toner cartridges at no charge if they are returned to the location.

7) All shredded paper is recycled.

8)

Educational Element for the ECHD  Energy Efficiency and  Solid Waste/Recycling  Initiatives

1) The ECHD has posted our recycling instructions for all employees on our ECHD Intranet web site.

2) The ECHD has informed our employees about the ECHD Green Initiative in our monthly  news letter.

3) The ECHD submitted via the Prudential 2011 Davis Productivity Awards process our “Implementation of a Green and Carbon Reduction Initiative”.

4) The ECHD informed all employees of our Green and Carbon Reduction Initiative at one of our department wide quarterly employee training days Employees participate every day via the recycling of approved materials, the use of recycled paper products, recycled copy paper, recycled toner and printer cartridges and hybrid vehicle.