U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart is one of several installations that have established a Green Boot program to recognize organizations for taking significant steps to reduce waste and preserve resources.
All organizations in USAG Stuttgart can apply to become Green Boot certified, according to Christian Dengel, the energy manager for USAG Stuttgart’s Directorate of Public Works.
Typically, an organization can obtain a checklist from DPW to begin implementing changes required to meet the Green Boot standards.
“We know that not every organization can do the exact same thing, so the checklist can be individualized,” Dengel said. He also explained that the checklist offers several practices to choose from, instead of a single requirement that all organizations must meet.
The program intends for organizations to promote better practices to conserve energy and minimize any impact on the environment. According to Dengel, most of the practices outlined are standard practices.
“Mostly these are things people should be doing anyway; properly separating trash, turning off computers and other equipment when possible,” he said. “Green Boot just recognizes those organizations that are doing all that they can to conserve energy and reduce their impact on the environment.”
Capt. Felix Castro, commander of USAG Stuttgart’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, recently led his unit through the Green Boot certification process.
“A lot of the policies that applied to the Green Boot program were already in place,” Castro said. “Really, the certification process was more of an azimuth check to ensure we were going in the right direction, organizationally speaking.”
To date, USAG Stuttgart HHC, the Defense Information Systems Agency Europe, and USAG Stuttgart DPW have all been Green Boot certified.
Certified organizations are recognized by the garrison commander with a certificate, usually presented during the garrison’s quarterly environmental meeting.
According to Castro, the real rewards to participating are intrinsic.
“With the new fiscal reality that the Department of Defense finds itself in, that stewardship of resources will be of paramount importance,” Castro said. “Also in terms of taking care of the environment, it is the right thing to do. I figured getting ahead of the curve in getting this certification would help the company as a whole down the road.”
Elements of the 405th Army Field Support Brigade, and the Stuttgart Golf Course are currently going through the certification process.
For more information about the Green Boot program, contact Christian Dengel at 421-6253/civ. 0711-7228-6253.
A Green Boot organization not only conserves energy and minimizes the impact on the environment, but also sets a positive example for its employees, service and family members, and the entire military community.
By assuming a leadership and stewardship role, Green Boots will:
• Promote recycling and reduce solid waste disposal.
• Practice energy and water conservation measures.
• Purchase products that are less harmful to human health and the environment.
• Help improve water quality in the creeks, rivers and lakes of the community.
• Help improve indoor and outdoor air
quality.
• Educate personnel, service members, family members and other Installation agencies about green business practices.