I, Tony Knowles, Governor of the State of Alaska, under the authority vested in me by art. III, sees. 1 and 24, of the Alaska Constitution, and in recognition of Earth Day, renew the state’s commitment to sustaining environmental quality. I declare that it is the continued policy of the executive branch to reduce its generation of waste; to recycle and reuse, to the maximum extent possible, wastes that cannot be reduced; and to use products made from recycled materials as much as is feasible. This policy is supported by AS 29.71.050, AS 36.30.324-36.30.339, and AS 46.06, by related administrative regulations and by Administrative Order No.119 on this subject.
To promote this policy, I order all departments of the executive branch to:
1. pursue enrollment in the Alaska Green Star program if the state agencies have offices in an area in which the program currently operates (Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kenai Peninsula) and in areas to which the program expands; the Alaska Green Star program strengthens economic opportunities while protecting the public health and environment of Alaska; the Alaska Green Star program was established through a collaborative effort of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Alaska Center for the Environment;
2. actively pursue the achievement of voluntary waste reduction, recycling, and energy conservation standards, as established in the Alaska Green Star program, at all state facilities;
3. recognize department employee actions taken to implement the Alaska Green Star program and to reduce, reuse, and recycle wastes; purchase products made from recycled materials; and conserve natural resources through wise use, conservation, and energy-efficient practices;
4. promote the Alaska Green Star program in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the Kenai Peninsula, and further its growth in other areas of the state, as an important means to control waste and promote wise use of resources;
5. explore opportunities for and establish programs to reduce
costs of state
government by reducing, reusing, and recycling wastes;
6. purchase products made from recycled materials when appropriate to reduce costs to state government and the environment;
7. help conserve the earth’s precious natural resources through the state’s wise use and conservation of products and materials, and through energy-efficient practices;
8. commit to sharing successful pollution prevention practices with other state offices and facilities and with Alaska communities so that all Alaskans can benefit from these important efforts to improve environmental quality through the prevention of pollution in a cost-effective manner; and
9. continue to follow Administrative Order No.119 on this important concern.
This Order takes effect immediately.
Dated this 22 day of April, 1995
By: S/S Tony Knowles
Tony Knowles
Governor