ES, IG-98-017, Kennedy Space Center's Recycling Efforts

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER'S
RECYCLING EFFORTS
IG-98-017

Executive Summary

Background Executive Order 12873, Federal Acquisition, Recycling and Waste Prevention, issued October 1993, requires the Federal Government to make more efficient use of natural resources by maximizing recycling and waste prevention activities. The Executive Order also requires agencies to develop an affirmative procurement program to purchase recycled or environmentally preferable products. In addition, NASA has made recycling a major component of its overall environmental strategy.

Objectives The audit objective was to determine whether Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is maximizing recycling efforts. Our goal was to answer the following questions:

Is KSC meeting Executive Order 12873 requirements for recycling?
Is KSC properly collecting and accounting for revenues generated from recycling efforts?

Results of Audit To monitor Agency progress in accomplishing recycling goals and objectives, NASA policy requires that certain reports be prepared, including an annual progress report as prescribed by Executive Order 12873. However, in many cases, KSC was not collecting and reporting accurate recycling data. The lack of consistency and the inaccurate data did not allow for reasonable measurements of program accomplishments.
In addition, KSC has no collection procedures to retain proceeds from its recycling program. Such proceeds can be used to benefit the existing recycling program or other Center environmental efforts. As a result, recycling revenue ($141,431) was not available for KSC to fund additional recycling projects.

Recommendations This report contains 10 recommendations to assist KSC in complying with Executive Order and Agency requirements and in collecting additional revenues that can be used to further promote the Center's recycling program.

Management's Response KSC concurred with all the recommendations and will establish procedures to improve accountability over recycling revenue. We consider planned actions responsive to the intent of the recommendations.

Background	Executive Order 12873, Federal Acquisition, Recycling and Waste Prevention, issued October 1993, requires the Federal Government to make more efficient use of natural resources by maximizing recycling and waste prevention activities. The Executive Order also requires agencies to develop an affirmative procurement program to purchase recycled or environmentally preferable products. In addition, NASA has made recycling a major component of its overall environmental strategy.
Objectives	The audit objective was to determine whether Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is maximizing recycling efforts. Our goal was to answer the following questions: Is KSC meeting Executive Order 12873 requirements for recycling? Is KSC properly collecting and accounting for revenues generated from recycling efforts?
Results of Audit	To monitor Agency progress in accomplishing recycling goals and objectives, NASA policy requires that certain reports be prepared, including an annual progress report as prescribed by Executive Order 12873. However, in many cases, KSC was not collecting and reporting accurate recycling data. The lack of consistency and the inaccurate data did not allow for reasonable measurements of program accomplishments. In addition, KSC has no collection procedures to retain proceeds from its recycling program. Such proceeds can be used to benefit the existing recycling program or other Center environmental efforts. As a result, recycling revenue ($141,431) was not available for KSC to fund additional recycling projects.
Recommendations	This report contains 10 recommendations to assist KSC in complying with Executive Order and Agency requirements and in collecting additional revenues that can be used to further promote the Center's recycling program.
*Management's Response*	KSC concurred with all the recommendations and will establish procedures to improve accountability over recycling revenue. We consider planned actions responsive to the intent of the recommendations.