EPA recognizes over 400 facilities for conservation efforts

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized more than 400 federal facilities that took part in their Federal Green Challenge (FGC) on Tuesday, which led to an estimated savings of $24 million, as well as conservation of important resources.

“The agencies who participate in EPA’s Federal Green Challenge are green leaders, reducing pollution, realizing significant cost savings and making green improvements that will leave a healthier planet for future generations,” Assistant Administrator for the EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response Mathy Stanislaus said.

Throughout the past financial year, the participating facilities worked to reduce pollution, support renewable energy and operate efficiently. Together, they were able to divert nearly 400,000 tons of waste from landfills, save nearly 80 million gallons of water, reduce distances travelled by just over 12 million miles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of those from 190,000 passenger vehicles for an entire year.

Within the specific target areas of waste, electronics, purchasing, energy, water and transportation, the EPA gave specific awards to high-achieving facilities from Arizona, California, Oregon, Colorado, Minnesota and New Mexico.

“The awards recognize the commitment from these federal agencies to being good neighbors and environmental leaders in their communities,” Stanislaus said.