WIESBADEN, Germany - U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden's Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment became the first unit to be recognized in the garrison's new Green Boot program.
Col. David Carstens, USAG Wiesbaden commander, presented Capt. Jennifer Glover with the Green Boot Certificate May 16 for members of the unit's efforts in helping conserve energy and resources.
The new Wiesbaden program is part of the garrison's overall initiative to encourage units to decrease their energy use and ecological footprint. Working with the garrison, units start with a compliance checklist and work with the Directorate of Public Works' energy team to tailor the checklist to their individual requirements.
Following checklist completion, energy managers conduct a site visit to verify successful completion.
"A 'Green Boot' is an organization that not only conserves energy and minimizes impact on the environment, but also sets a positive example for staff, Soldiers, family members and the USAG Wiesbaden community as a whole," said Maj. William McGlothlin, DPW operations officer. This includes everything from promoting recycling, reducing solid waste disposal, practicing energy and water conservation measures, buying eco-friendly products and educating everyone about green business practices.
"One of the things we had to do was weigh our trash," said Glover, explaining that through better trash separation, the unit could demonstrate how residual waste was reduced. "Other things we do to conserve include using dry-erase boards and markers instead of paper, eco-friendly cleaning supplies, anti-bacterial spray so we're not using as many paper towels, making sure printers and lights are turned off at the end of the duty day and installing sensors on our outdoor lights so that they don't remain on when not needed."
Members of the unit promote recycling by including tips in the unit newsletter, by pointing out to others where people could better recycle and conserve, and through sharing best practices with other local units and organizations.
"It's a fairly easy process," Glover added, saying that it's a great way to recognize Soldiers "for doing the right thing. … It's definitely a way to be rewarded for helping out the environment.
"There are so many little things that can be done to save the garrison money in the long run," she added.
Other units currently in the process of obtaining Greet Boot certification include Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, U.S. Army Europe; and Army and Air Force Exchange Service-Europe Headquarters.
For more information about the Green Boot program call Maj. McGlothlin at mil 337-5840 or email William.p.mcglothlin.mil@mail.mil.
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