Office Sustainability Empowerment Tool (OffSET)

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

The Green Government Program of Maricopa County (GGP) created a program that will empower departments on a more granular level to advance sustainability. OffSET, Office Sustainability Empowerment Tool, is a program that assesses different departments on air quality, energy use, generated waste, and transportation methods of county departments, and gives recommendations in order to improve the department’s sustainability impact. OffSET assesses daily business practices and behaviors with a goal to promote innovative measures being taken within the department. Three tiers of success have been developed to evaluate the numerous initiatives each assessed department is taking in order to improve the four components previously mentioned, each one more detailed than the last. Upon completion of each level, the department will then receive a certificate for that level, with the possibility of continuing the program and earning all three certificates plus notoriety. GGP is not requiring the post OffSET assessment recommendations be completed, but to simply empower small changes in hopes of encouraging awareness of sustainability and allow county departments to be regional leaders with sustainable practices. OffSET is designed to enhance sustainability efforts within each county department by assessing the four key components. OffSET provides custom assessments aimed at reducing the environmental impact of county employees through strategic, thoroughly researched, and cost-efficient methods. This assessment program focuses specifically on enhancing day-to-day business practices and behaviors by encouraging creative and innovative measures.