Government is a market we know very well. For over 37 years our government client base has comprised local and federal government and agencies – including the Executive Office of the President, U.S. Congress, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Coastguard. We […]
Blog poll result: Getting real with government
Our weekly blog polls allow us to share and get feedback on what’s been on our minds – and recently that’s been local government. We think that governmental entities and public figures, as the decision makers for communities across North America, need to take a stance on environment protection and sustainability.
For more than 35 years, we’ve worked with all levels of government to reinforce best practice furniture asset management solutions. Our proven, long-trusted services protect budget spend, reduce landfill waste and drastically reduce carbon emissions. But, it’s not all about furniture. It’s about advocacy.
So we asked you a few questions. First – does your local government enforce recycling? 75% of respondents said that it is not enforced, but is an option. 25% that there are no available resources allowing them to recycle. None of you reported that recycling is strictly enforced in your hometown.
Second – are sustainable efforts in your local government buildings prevalent? 50% of you felt that the government’s proactive nature depended upon a specific season or event, such as Earth Day, while the remaining half of respondents said no – sustainability never takes center stage.
Last but not least, we asked if you feel the government sector in general incorporates environmental principles into core objectives. The answer was unanimous – they could be doing more.
Do you agree with these responses? Let us know what you think on Twitter at @RefinishTouch and be sure to check back for more blog polls.
Blog poll: Federal and state governments pave way to greener, more cost-effective future
When it comes to the implementation of sustainable initiatives, the most productivity is seen when a community, establishment or organization receives support from the government. When an entity has certain standards to uphold and regulations to adhere to, the environmental movement is propelled forward in a more efficient manner. However, environmental policies vary from state to state, town to town, and countrywide.
As a company dedicated to delivering eco-friendly, cost-effective and sustainable furniture asset management services, we have completed renovations within various US courthouses, The White House, military bases, naval barracks and many other government edifices. Because of this, we uphold an avid interest in governmental initiatives and regulations relating to green practices and sustainable development.
In lieu of our thoughts on this issue, we took to our blog page to ask our valued readers, ‘In your opinion, which level of government has been the most responsible in lowering its costs through sustainable initiatives?’ Here’s what we found:
- 40% of readers believed that the most effective initiatives lie in the hands of the state government, with the most effective eco-friendly solutions being set forth by politicians and parties on the state level
- The majority of the vote was split, with another 40% of respondents claiming the federal government has done the best work in terms of achieving and reinforcing sustainable cost efficiency
- In a close second place, 20% of readers accredited local government, citing that their own towns and cities have made the most sustainable and cost-saving strides within the past years
Overall, The Refinishing Touch is pleased by progress made in all governmental sectors – local, state and federal – on the road to universal sustainability. Due in large part to the rise of regulations and the increase in environmental awareness, the idea of a green future has become far more feasible than ever before.
For more information on The Refinishing Touch’s services within the government sector, please read a case study documenting our renovation work in The White House. To learn more about what The Refinishing Touch can do for your business, visit our website and request a free quote today.
The government goes even greener
Here at The Refinishing Touch, we have seen many efforts from both local and state governments to become more environmentally-aware. In the past, our furniture asset management services have made their way into The White House, military barracks, naval air stations and courthouses in various states, along with many other legislative edifices.
And the government’s environment commitment hasn’t stopped there. Other green measures include the implementation of energy-efficient architecture, the increase in LEED certifications, and most recently – the rise of paperless offices. 
Over 70 government entities have signed a non-binding pledge to reduce paper consumption through the use of iPads and other technologies, according to recent news from Government Technology. The pledge, named the ‘Government Go Green Project’, is a nationwide initiative launched by Granicus, a cloud technologies company that focuses on government transparency.
The most recent survey conducted by the company found that nearly 1.5 billion sheets of paper were used in local legislative processes each year – a statistic startling enough to call for a decrease in wasteful paper-based workflows.
Under the Project, government agencies are encouraged to upload board meeting packets, whitepapers, case studies and other notoriously long documents onto iPads, or other technology devices – an initiative that decreases an office’s overall carbon footprint and long-term debt.
Read the full list of pledging governments here, and find out more about The Refinishing Touch’s furniture asset management services in the government industry by visiting https://www.therefinishingtouch.com/projects.html.