Partner: Leon County Office of Sustainability 

Project: Sustainable Surplus 

Student: Carly McGovern 

During the Summer 2023 semester, Carly, a senior majoring in Environment and Society and Political Science with a minor in Geography, took on the role of a Sustainability Fellow, collaborating with the Leon County Office of Sustainability to enhance their Surplus program. This initiative aimed to find sustainable avenues for repurposing or recirculating surplus office materials within the County, aligning with their commitment to responsible resource management.

The Leon County Office of Sustainability recognized the need for a sustainable surplus program and sought a student to champion this cause. Carly's task was to work closely with the Sustainability and Finance teams to devise innovative solutions for managing surplus materials within County offices, with the ultimate goal of waste reduction. One of the predominant challenges in dealing with office surplus was the spatial dispersion of the various buildings across the County. 

Carly's passion revolves around integrating sustainability into everyday life and making it accessible to all. Currently employed at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Carly aspires to contribute to environmental issues on a national scale in the future. For Carly, sustainability signifies safeguarding our environmental resources to ensure the well-being of future generations. 

As Carly aptly states, "I have long carried a reputation for being a stickler for limiting waste and consider this a large part of my moral code. To me, this role is all about serving our community by matching their needs with the supplies that we have." 

The methods Carly used encompassed a comprehensive approach: conducting surveys, making observations, brainstorming ideas, evaluating current surplus furniture procedures, and engaging in discussions with various County offices. She even delved into a meta-analysis, seeking insights from other counties with similar challenges. Her findings revealed that larger counties often had designated "surplus" points of contact, while mid-sized counties leaned towards auction methods. 

An intriguing observation was that changing office furniture trends exacerbated the surplus issue, with new furniture purchases being considered morale boosters. Carly highlighted the importance of adopting a circular mindset, focusing on the entire lifecycle of items and prioritizing reuse and recycling as sustainable disposal options. 

Throughout her project, Carly encountered challenges stemming from the scarcity of relevant data and the specificity of workplace scenarios. However, these challenges also paved the way for future opportunities, such as the potential development of a "Green Office Certification Program." This envisioned program could take after Sustainable Campus’ Green Office Program and include a point-based system encouraging the utilization of donated furniture alongside donations. 

The significance of Carly's project is underscored by its potential impact. The implementation of a County Office Surplus protocol/program could prevent usable items from ending up in landfills, reducing expenses associated with procuring new materials. Furthermore, unutilized items could be donated to underserved communities, addressing their needs while aligning with sustainability objectives. 

Recognizing the extensive time we spend in office environments, Carly's project promotes the interconnection between sustainability and well-being. The positive correlation between green behaviors and job satisfaction, workflow, and organizational identity highlights the transformative potential of cultural shifts towards sustainability. Carly's efforts not only contribute to local sustainability but also resonate with the global goals outlined in SDG 12, Responsible Consumption and Production. 

To view Carly's final presentation, click here.

To learn more about the Sustainability Fellows program, visit https://sustainablecampus.fsu.edu/sustainability-fellows.