Picente: Oneida County ‘Green Initiative’ Moves Forward

            Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. today announced that Oneida County is moving forward with its “Green Initiative” in order to promote recycling and reduce energy costs. 

            “We are constantly upgrading our recycling efforts, working with employees to re-use materials and ensure that we minimize what goes into the waste stream,” Picente said. “It is important for County Government to show leadership in recycling and energy efficiency because it is part of our mission of helping the entire community.”

            Picente said a waste prevention and recycling review was completed for the Oneida County Office Building by the Director of Recycling for the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority. He noted that reducing paper use, increasing paper re-use and promoting paper recycling can all make an important difference. “If we use less, not only do we send less to the landfill, but it also makes fiscal sense. With the technology we have in place, not everyone needs a hard copy of a report or a memo,” Picente said.

            Picente praised the County Workforce for the cooperation the Green Initiative has received. “Recycling, re-using and reducing waste are parts of our lives at home,” Picente said. “As we try to use less, and as we try to reduce energy, we are just making smart decisions at the workplace.”

             Picente said that the Green Initiative’s efforts include an increased number of recycling bins that have been placed on each floor to increase the recycling of paper and other items; an increased effort to turn off lights, computers and other equipment when not in use; and a reduction in the numbers of hard copy reports, memos and other documents made.

            “The Oneida County Office building has been a visible example of a strong recycling effort up until this point,” Picente said. “The adoption of these changes will move the County to another level of ‘green’ efficiency.”