The US Embassy in Canberra excels at eco-diplomacy
For the US Embassy in Canberra, increasing sustainability isn’t a once-off project. It’s an ongoing effort that has earned them accolades from the US and ACT Governments.
Over the ten years that the Embassy has been part of the Business Recycling Program, it has reduced its waste going to landfill from 580 cubic metres in 2012 to 125 cubic metres in 2022.
In 2022, the Embassy received the Waste Minimisation Award at the Climate Choices Business Awards.
The challenge
“The US Embassy in Canberra is one of the U.S. Department of State’s 250 or so embassies and consulates around the world,” said Grace Chung, Second Secretary.
“Our embassies primarily exist to serve the interests of our country. Having a positive impact in the communities that host us is also a priority.
“That's why the Department of State has a Greening Diplomacy Initiative. The Initiative drives positive change for environmental sustainability in host countries around the world. We call it ‘eco-diplomacy’.
“We can achieve eco-diplomacy in many different ways. We can improve sustainability practises in our facilities, raise awareness and provide sustainability solutions for our staff. Hosting public events for the local community is another example of eco-diplomacy.
The action
“The US Embassy has been part of the ACT Government’s Business Recycling Program for ten years. The Program has provided us with advice and resources specific to Canberra’s waste management systems.
“Program staff guided the Embassy through a 10-step recycling program. They helped Embassy staff develop a simple waste summary and waste management plan.
"We also received staff education sessions and templates for waste reporting and monitoring.
“In 2012, the US Embassy was the first in Canberra to receive full Business Recycling Program accreditation. The program helped us get started on the right path, but this was just the beginning of our waste management journey.
“Since then, we have made changes to the way we manage waste. We've started storing bulky items, like furniture, for re-use. We send used mattresses away for recycling and sell broken appliances for scrap metal. We recycle our bottles and cans through the ACT Container Deposit Scheme and have set up a collection point for battery recycling. We have also installed a bottle filling station which has saved 59,000 plastic bottles so far.
“Our most recent waste-reduction initiative is composting. About 15 kg of food waste is collected from the cafeteria each week and is composted on site.
The benefit
“Over the past ten years, we’ve managed to reduce waste going to landfill from 580 cubic metres in 2012 to 125 cubic metres in 2022.
“We have used funds from the Container Deposit Scheme to fund community outreach such as our ‘Art from Trash’ competition.
“In 2019, our waste reduction efforts were recognised at the Greening Diplomacy Initiative Awards. This is an awards ceremony hosted annually by the US Department of State.
"In 2022 we were very proud to receive the Waste Minimisation Award at the Climate Choices Business Awards.
“We are strengthening our eco-diplomacy efforts with waste-reduction and other sustainability initiatives. We look forward to continuing our work with the support of the ACT Government's Business Sustainability team."
Is your business, organisation or event making efforts to reduce waste, increase sustainability and lower its carbon footprint? Get recognised with a Climate Choices Business Award!
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.