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Sustainability Programs

Our Mission

To promote and incorporate social, environmental, and economic sustainable best practices, concepts and technologies into the workings of La Plata County government that are socially practical, environmentally sound, and economically feasible.

Programs

Household Hazardous Waste Collection is held annually at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Avenue.  No event is planned for 2011.  Please check back to this page for updates for an event to be held in 2012.

Computer and Electronics Recycling Event

-  Electronics contain significant amounts of lead, chromium, silver and many other toxic materials. Recycling electronics keeps hazardous materials out of our area landfills!  San Juan Basin Recycling Association and the City of Durango sponsor two, 2-day Electronics Recycling Events each Spring and Fall.  In 2011, the Spring event was held on Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23 and the Fall event is scheduled on Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8.  The events are held at the Durango Recycling Center, 710 Tech Center Drive, Durango from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Energy Savings and Resource Conservation Initiatives:

  • Adopted a County Facilities Recycling Policy requiring county employees to recycle cardboard, paper, aluminum and metal cans, plastic bottles, clear, brown and green glass at all county owned buildings.
  • Launched a Pilot Rural Recycling Program to serve the Marvel, Red Mesa and Kline communities that are located in the western area of La Plata County.
  • In 2008, successfully partnered with City of Durango, 4CORE and La Plata Electric Association to hold the first ever Scrap Metal Recycling Event in our community that included old refrigerators and freezers.
  • Adopted an Engine Idling Policy that limits the amount of time vehicle engines are allowed to idle after start up or after the vehicle arrives at its destination. By idling vehicle engines less, La Plata County employees can play an important role in improving air quality, reducing fuel consumption and the County's overall carbon footprint.
  • Adopted a Green Purchasing Policy to encourage and increase the use of environmentally preferable products and services in La Plata County
  • A technical energy audit (TEA) was performed on county facilities to determine where energy saving efficiency improvements should be made in order to reduce carbon emission levels. According to the TEA report, La Plata County facilities inventoried produced an estimated 3,987 tons of CO2. Energy efficiency improvements made to county facilities should reduce this amount by 864 tons of CO2 which equates to a 21.67% reduction.
  • Completed a County-wide Carbon Emissions Inventory Study.  Currently we are in the process of developing a Climate and Energy Action Plan that Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency is orchestrating.
  • Financial contribution member of the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency that serves as a clearing house and resource that provides education, programs and incentives to increase regional adoption of energy efficiency and renewable energy.
  • Matrix Initiatives
  • Partnered with 4CORE to be awarded a "Community Showcase Grant"  from the EPA, bringing $500,000.00 dollars into the community for energy efficiency programs and education.

For more information and to offer your suggestions with respect to La Plata County's sustainability initiatives, please contact Susan Hakanson, Sustainability Coordinator, at (970) 382-6212 or by email at susan.hakanson@co.laplata.co.us.

Photo La Plata County scenery