Sustainability & Environmental Focus

Sust at DOC

What is Sustainability?

"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." This is the most commonly quoted definition of sustainability and is from the 1987 United Nations publication, Our Common Future, known as the Brundtland Report.

Sustainability is a holistic approach to living and problem solving that addresses social equity, environmental health, and economic prosperity. To be sustainable, the economy must support a high quality of life for all people in a way that protects our health, our limited natural resources, and our environment.

"I think we all must engage in a strategy of sustainability. This means our society has to integrate our economic vitality and our environmental integrity into a new kind of prosperity for our state - one that enriches today without impoverishing tomorrow.”Governor Chris Gregoire

In September 2003, DOC adopted a Sustainability Plan (PDF), which is updated every two years.

Each year we produce a sustainability progress report.

2008 Sustainability Report

2007 Sustainability Report

Sustainability initiatives have been launched in the areas of energy and water conservation, enhanced recycling, toxic materials reduction, composting, and green building. Data is collected and tracked and a 2009 Sustainability Progress Report detailing our progress on meeting our goals is coming soon.

Sustainability Mission Statement

As a steward of public resources, the Department of Corrections is committed to work for sustainable, safe communities. The Department will evaluate the long-term impacts of its construction and operations decisions on the environment, community, and economy of the state, and strive to choose those actions with the greatest long-term benefits.

About Us

The Department of Corrections (DOC) is Washington’s third largest state agency. Housing, feeding, clothing, and providing programs for more than 16,000 incarcerated offenders offers many opportunities to implement sustainability.

SUST 1A

Sustainaiblity Partnerships & Projects - Can They Reduce Recidivism?

Can prisons save money and the environment while rehabilitating lives? Check out DOC and The Evergreen State College Green Prisons and other pilot project highlights.

Can composting, organic gardening, moss, worms, beekeeping, and frogs reduce recidivism and help offenders find jobs? Collaboration between The Evergreen State College and Cedar Creek Corrections Center bring ecologists and offenders together on environmental activities & initiatives.

Can homeless animal rescue and training teach patience and compassion? Statistics from other states, Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW), and now Stafford Creek Corrections Center (SCCC) indicate it may. SCCC's dog rescue and training program began in early March 2009. Early indications show that programs such as this can also bring offenders "hope and peace."

What is LEED®?

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), founded in 1993, is a non-profit trade organization that promotes sustainability in how buildings are designed, built and operated. The USGBC is best known for the development of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. It is also know for Greenbuild, a green building conference that promotes the green building industry, including environmentally responsible materials, sustainable architecture techniques and public policy.

LEED & Green Building Highlights

November 18, 2009 - Daily Journal of Commerce
October 30, 2009 - Coyote Ridge Corrections Center in Connell today received LEED® Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) making it the first prison campus in the nation to meet the Council’s standards for sustainable design. Here is a link for further information on the Coyote Ridge Corrections Center Project and Photo's.
March 2009 Correctional News Facility of the Month - article about Coyote Ridge Corrections Center in Connell, Washington. It demonstrates Washington's commitment to environmental sustainability.