Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Wins Federal Green Challenge Award
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Wins Federal Green Challenge Award
More PhotosHawai’i Volcanoes National Park is one of the most biologically diverse landscapes in the world. Located on the Big Island of Hawaii, more than 2,000 miles from the nearest continental land mass, the park stretches from the summit of Mauna Loa at 13,677 feet to sea level.
The park has achieved Federal Green Challenge accomplishments in both waste and procurement target categories. In 2014, the park recycled 9,362 pounds of aluminum, plastic, glass, and over 50,000 cubic yards of cardboard. The park’s overall recycling rate is 76%. The park’s green purchasing work decreased copy paper purchases by 89%, and ensured that 95% of its cleaning products meet Environmentally Preferable Purchasing criteria.
The park has reduced waste and groundwater use by installing reusable water bottle refilling stations throughout the park, and selling stainless steel refillable water bottles. All of the park’s water is supplied by the largest public rainwater catchment system in the state.
The park has also actively reduced their environmental footprint in all 6 of the 6 Federal Green Challenge target areas: waste, purchasing, electronics, energy, water and transportation.
Photos
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park ranger fills water bottle
"Fill Your Bottle with Rain Water" poster showing ranger filling reusable stainless steel water bottle.
Reusable stainless steel water bottles for sale at park store run by partner, Hawaii Pacific Parks Association. Since installing filtered rain water spigots and offering these steel bottles for sale in 2010, the park estimates it has prevented at least 50,000 plastic water bottles from entering the waste stream.
Kilauea volcano's erupting summit at Halemaumau Crater.
Kilauea volcano's erupting summit at Halemaumau Crater.