Office

When the Recycle City government buys office supplies, it purchases 100% recycled paper and other products that use less packaging or are made from recycled material. Recycled products reduce pollution caused by making new products and reduces the need for raw materials. For example, 100% recycled paper is made from used paper instead of cutting down trees. When it's time to buy office equipment, computers and lighting supplies, the city purchases energy-saving models with "ENERGY STAR" or "EPEAT" labels on them.

Mayor's Office

Mayor Turner studies model programs in other cities and introduces successful ideas to the Recycle City Council. On Earth Day in 2022, the Mayor and City Council joined many cities around the world by passing a Zero Waste goal. She also checks city government offices to determine the amount and types of waste they produce and makes sure that reuse and recycling policies are followed. Mayor Turner also monitors the town's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Policy, which requires city agencies to buy recycled and safer products that generate less waste.

Once a month, Mayor Turner hosts a special town meeting to honor citizens and businesses that have made an extra effort to reduce, reuse, and recycle. At the meeting, she presents each of them with a special plaque made from recycled materials, a cash award, and invites the local news to join the event to publicize their efforts.

Plastic Park Bench

The benches outside City Hall are made from recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic. Before the plastic in this bench was recycled and processed, it stored milk in gallon jugs at the local grocery store.

Recycle City has wooden benches, too. When they need repainting, the city saves money and reduces waste by using recycled paint that was dropped off at the Hazardous Waste Disposal Center.

Copy Room

To reduce the amount of paper they use, Recycle City employees use recycled paper and copy on both sides. They scan documents to send electronically instead of faxing or mailing them.

For coffee breaks, they use mugs that can be washed and reused. By using re-usable cups, the workers don't have to throw away foam or paper cups—saving resources and energy, and helping decrease the amount of waste that goes into the landfill.

Everyone brings their refillable water bottles rather than buying bottled water, and they put empty soda cans and bottles in collection bins for recycling.

Town Meetings

The 3R Committee meets at City Hall on a regular basis to share information about how to reduce waste and encourage reuse and recycling.

A city government official attends these meetings and reports the results to Mayor Turner. The 3R Committee works with local government and businesses to create better, more profitable markets for reused and recycled materials. (By buying and selling these materials in larger quantities, everyone gets better prices).

The 3R Committee conducts email and letter-writing campaigns to encourage companies to reduce unnecessary packaging and the use of hazardous ingredients in their products. 3R members let companies know when they are pleased with changes and recommend these businesses to Mayor Turner for special awards.

Some members monitor state government debates for proposed laws that could improve waste management and the environment.