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INFOGRAPHIC: Single-Use Plastics

100-PO032 (R 8/2018)

infographic

(Rachel Friederich , DOC Communications)

Text Version

What is the department doing to reduce single-use plastics?
  • Removing plastic water bottles from vending machines.
  • Minimizing trash liner use.
  • Replacing plastic bowls and spoons with reusable cutlery.
Single-Use Plastic Implementation Timeline
  • April 2, 2010: Then Washington State Penitentiary (WSP) Superintendent Steve Sinclair issues reusable spork memorandum, detailing that every inmate receive a reusable spork.
  • April 7, 2010: Sporks issued to inmates at Washington State Penitentiary (WSP).
  • December 2015: Airway Heights Corrections Center (AHCC) starts issuing reusable sporks and bowls.
  • February 2016: Coyote Ridge Corrections Center (CRCC) starts issuing reusable sporks and bowls.
  • May 2016: Monroe Correctional Complex (MCC) starts issuing reusable sporks and bowls.
  • January 2018: Governor Jay Inslee issues Executive order 18-01, mandating emissions reduction initiatives and environmentally sustainable agency leadership.
How much waste has been saved?
  • With the introduction of reusable cutlery, prisons have avoided using hundreds of thousands of plastic spoons each year.
  • Waste statistics have been calculated for four facilities: Airway Heights Corrections Center (AHCC), Coyote Ridge Corrections Center (CRCC), Monroe Correctional Complex (MCC), and Washington State Penitentiary (WSP).
Waste Saved with Reusable Cutlery in a Year
  • Spoon waste avoided at Airway Heights Corrections Center 794,240.
  • Spoon waste avoided at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center 912,885.
  • Spoon waste avoided at Monroe Correctional Complex 898,995.
  • Spoon waste avoided at Washington State Penitentiary 925,275.
  • Bowl waste avoided at Airway Heights Corrections Center 794,240.
  • Bowl waste avoided at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center 912,865.
  • Bowl waste avoided at Monroe Correctional Complex 898,995.
  • Bowl waste avoided at Washington State Penitentiary 925,275.
Sources
  1. Vanneste, Julie. Sustainable Operations Manger, Capital Planning and Development, Washington State Department of Corrections.