Government agencies play a critical role in helping support sustainability. From the creation of the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive to the South Carolina Resource Conservation Challenge, government agencies of all sizes are looking for ways to reduce  their environmental impacts and encourage sustainable practices within the community all the while remaining faithful stewards of taxpayer dollars.

This section provides links to government resources that can assist those interested in incorporating sustainability into their operations as well as examples of sustainable success stories from South Carolina government agencies.
 

• SC Resource Conservation Challenge – A collaborative effort to promote resource conservation and save taxpayer dollars as well as natural resources

http://www.scdhec.gov/lwm/RCC/index.html 
 
• Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) http://www.scdhec.gov/ 

• Office of Solid Waste Reduction & Recycling - http://www.scdhec.gov/lwm/html/solid.html 

• Construction & Demolition Debris Recycling - http://www.scdhec.gov/recycle/forms/fyi_13.pdf 

• Ocean and Coastal Resource Management -http://www.scdhec.gov/eqc/ocrm/index.html 

• Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Publication that assists architects, developers, building owners and government officials, among others, with ways to design, operate and maintain environmentally friendly buildings. http://www.sustainable.doe.gov/freshstart/articles/ptipub.htm    

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - http://www.epa.gov 

• Federal Green Purchasing Policies and Resources - http://www.epa.gov/epp/pilot/index.htm

• SC Department of Commerce - http://www.sccommerce.com/sustainabledevelopment.html

• Recycling Market Development Advisory Council (RMDAC) - http://www.sccommerce.com/recyclingcouncil.html 

• SC Business Recycling Assistance Program (BRAP) http://www.scdhec.gov/eqc/lwm/brap/  

• SC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism - http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/ 

• S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) - The S.C. Department of Transportation recycled nearly 1,116 tons of material in fiscal year 2003. This includes more than 300 tons of aluminum, 50 tons of corrugated cardboard and 3 tons of computers. Other recyclables include office paper and used oil filters.MORE...

• SC Energy Office - Facilities in S.C. that utilize renewable energy sources for steam and power generation http://www.state.sc.us/energy/PDFs/Biomass_Combustion_Facilities.pdf 

Click here for more Government success stories.

US Postal Service - http://www.usps.com/environment/  – Greater SC Cluster has served as a role model for what a government agency can do when it embraces the tenants of sustainability. From recycling tons of materials to using alternative fuel vehicles, this is a great case study of how the Post Office has made a difference for taxpayers and the environment.