South Dakota Army National Guard receives award for Environmental Security
LITTLE ROCK, AR – The South Dakota Army National Guard received a 2018 Environmental Security Award for outstanding program and initiatives in environmental excellence on Feb. 12.
The SDARNG’s Construction and Facilities Management Office received a third place finish in the Team/Individual – Sustainability Award category for significant progress in implementing environmentally responsible practices. These practices have saved the SDARNG thousands in costs.
“The SDARNG has saved over $15,000 in tipping fees by diverting solid waste from the landfill,” said Emily Beck, SDARNG environmental compliance and conservation manager. “A total of 25.76 tons of material was recycled from Rapid City area buildings and from outlier camps during the Golden Coyote training exercise.”
The Sustainability Team’s efforts also extend to helping Rapid City’s programs. “We worked with the Rapid City Solid Waste Division to determine where our efforts could best be focused for Rapid City’s Clean-Up week, as we had a unique force of volunteers that could assist in more difficult areas,” Beck said.
The past two years have brought tremendous progress for the Sustainability Team’s efforts in “waste stream reduction, increased waste diversion, compliance training improvement, and systems management,” said Beck.
And Beck says it’s not just the Sustainability Team that makes the only impact. The small actions of every soldier helps, such as taking the steps to properly recycle products.
