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A Green Living Guide for the Corps of Cadets

A Handbook for Environmental Sustainability at West Point

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Table of Contents

Welcome Letters 3 Sustainability in the Army & Net Zero Energy 4 West Point Energy Council 5 Energy & Environment Chain of Command 6 Energy - How Do I Conserve? 8 Water - How Do I Reduce Use? 9 Recycling 101 10 The Cadet Recycling System 12 Handling Other Materials 15 Opportunities to Learn More & Get Involved 16

"The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value." -Theodore Roosevelt

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Letter from the Brigade Tactical Officer

Endorsement from the Head of Geography and Environmental Engineering

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world." -John Muir

The Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering is

proud to endorse the Green Living Handbook for the Corps.

Living in a sustainable manner is not just important here at West

Point, but also in the Army. This handbook will offer you sustain-

able living practices concerning energy, water, and solid waste that will serve

you well as future leaders. As we move towards achieving the objectives

outlined in the Army Sustainability Campaign Plan, basic knowledge concern-

ing energy and the environment is of critical importance. Leverage the skills

of your Company Energy & Environment Officer to improve systems in the

barracks and learn more about sustainable living. Go Army, Go Green!

- COL Wiley Thompson

The Green Living Guide sets the standard for

environmental living in the Corps of Cadets. This

handbook will teach you many fundamental

principles, especially in the areas of energy

consumption, water usage, and recycling that will grow you as ―green‖

leaders. Learning how to respect the environment now as a Cadet will carry

over to a lifetime of green living. As a future leader you have the ability to

affect not just yourself, but Soldiers, and other nations in the key mission of

environmental responsibility. So, read this handbook and support your

Company E2O – make a difference today for a greener tomorrow!

- COL Joe DeAntona

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Sustainability in the Army

The President has directed in Executive Order 13514 that the Federal Government will lead the

nation in environmental regulation and economic performance. The Army is a significant part of

this charge due to its size, scope, and influence both at home and abroad. Indeed, as outlined

in the Army Sustainability Campaign Plan, the Army is quickly moving towards implementing a

sustainability framework that encompasses the environment, water, energy, and infrastructure.

Providing cadets with an in-depth understanding of sustainability principles at West Point, prior to graduation, will help infuse the Army with knowledgeable leaders capable of proactive thought and supporting the triple bottom line of sustainability: mission, environment, and community. Not only do these principles nest with the Army’s published Sustainability Campaign Plan, it falls in-line with recently published West Point Leader Development System’s Outcome 1 (Lead and inspire their units to accomplish the mission), Outcome 3 (Demonstrate a broad perspective that is open to new ideas and experiences), Outcome 4 (Understand ambiguous situations and solve complex problems), and Outcome 9 (Demonstrate respect for others and work effectively with different cultures and people).

Our Charge…Training Environmentally Conscious Leaders

West Point has been designated a Net Zero Energy Installation. What does that mean? It

means we must produce as much energy as we consume...a tall order. How do we get there?

We achieve the West Point Energy Council’s Energy and Environmental Security Goals:

1. Reduce energy consumption.

2. Increase energy efficiency across platforms and facilities.

3. Increase use of renewable and alternative energy.

4. Assure access to sufficient energy supplies.

5. Reduce adverse effects on the environment.

6. Enhance cadet education and leader development on energy & environment security.

Net Zero Energy by 2020

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How We are Moving Forward: the West Point Energy Council

Charged by the Superintendent to develop a strategic program for energy and environ-mental security by identifying ways to green West Point and develop Green Projects. The Energy Council strives to make West Point a ―flagship‖ installation and Army leader that operates using an integrated systems’ approach to reduce energy consumption and cost, enhance cadet education and leader development, and involve the entire West Point com-munity in achieving energy and environmental security. - LTC Mark Smith, G&EnE

―The Army is accelerating its actions to protect the environment; conserve energy, water, and other resources; support human capital; and partner with our communi-ties. These actions will result in increased military readiness, lower life-cycle costs, and improved quality of life for our Soldiers and their Families.‖

- Army Sustainability Campaign Plan, 2010

Pilot scale renewable energy projects at West Point’s MWR-run Recycling Center

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Charge to the Corps of Cadets...

Each day we look around and see problems in our local environment. From recycling in the trash, to water waste, to energy waste, the number of environmental issues here at West Point, and beyond the confines of the installation, are staggering. Our individual actions can begin to impact these problems for good. While recycling one plastic bottle or turning off the lights when you leave the room may not seem like much, these actions aggregated across the Corps can make a noticeable impact. Are you willing to step up and start making a difference? If you see opportunities for change or to make improvements, please act or talk to your Energy & Environment Chain of Command or cadets enrolled in majors focused on solving environmental issues. The time for change is now! - MAJ Andy Pfluger, Faculty Advisor to the Energy & Environment Chain of Command

The Energy & Environment Chain of Command serve as special staff advisors to cadet commanders in USCC at the Brigade, Regiment, and Company levels. Their purpose is to expand environmental awareness and diligently work to solve environmental issues in the Corps.

The Energy & Environment chain of command will play a critical role in educating the

Corps and implementing energy conservation programs

as we approach Net Zero Energy in 2020.

Cadet Brian Meese, the first ever Brigade Energy & Envi-ronmental Officer (E2O), discusses energy and environmental issues with Company E2Os

The Energy & Environment Chain of Command

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Some major E2O programs: - Recycling Program - Water Conservation Campaigns

- Energy Awareness Programs

- Environmental FCDT Program

- America Recycles Day

- Michie Stadium ―Green Guides‖

- Recycling Sculpture Competition

- RecycleMania

- Earth Week

- Cadet Swap Meet

"We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive."

-Albert Einstein

This organizational chart shows how the 42 cadet energy and environment officer positions are arrayed in the Corps of Cadets. Each Energy & Environment Officer (E2O) advises their respective commander on environmental considerations within their unit.

The Energy & Environment Chain of Command

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Energy - How Do I Conserve?

Do’s: Turn off the lights when you leave an unoccupied room. Turn off electronic devices when they are not in use or if you are leaving the room for

30 minutes or more. Use the power management features on your computer for ―sleep mode‖ with a blank

screen rather than a screen saver. Use natural lighting instead of lamps whenever possible. If possible, use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or LEDs instead of incandescent

bulbs. Replace your old refrigerators with Energy Star rated ones. Unplug and defrost refrigerators when leaving for extended periods of time such as

Thanksgiving, Winter Leave, and Spring Leave. Open windows or use fans on warm days instead of using air conditioning (in areas

that have it). Carpool when going on weekend pass or leave. Take mass transportation when safe

and practicable.

Do Not’s: Leave lights on in an unoccupied room. Leave electronics on if you will be gone for 30 minutes or more. Leave appliances plugged in over break. Use space heaters – they consume energy and can pose a fire hazard. Open windows in heated or air-conditioned rooms. For heating and cooling issues

please contact DPW to submit a work order. Prop doors open in heated and air conditioned areas. Use elevators when you can take the stairs. Use automatic handicapped door openers unless you are handicapped.

Energy use adds up! Considering economic, environmental, and social costs, it is important we all minimize our energy usage at West Point. Here are some Do’s and Do Not’s that will help us to conserve energy, save money, decrease carbon

emissions, and live more sustainably as we achieve Net Zero Energy.

Thank you for conserving energy! For more

information, contact your company energy and

environmental officer.

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Do’s: Keep your showers to less than 5 minutes. Turn off the water while you wash your hair. You can save hundreds of gallons of

water per month. Submit work orders for leaky faucets as soon as you see them. Don’t wait! If you own one, consider washing your car one less time per month. If your toilet flapper doesn’t close completely after flushing, submit a work order. Wash your dark clothes in cold water – it saves both water and energy, while

helping your clothes keep their color. Reuse your towels. Don’t let them get gross, but they can stand more than one

drying. Look for products bearing the EPA WaterSense Label. These items are certified

to save 20% or more water without sacrificing performance. Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. Every

drop will go down your throat and not down the sink drain.

Do Not’s: Hang out in the shower. You can talk with your buddies someplace else! Take showers longer than 10 minutes. Let the water run to wash dishes. Let leaky faucets go. Be persistent until the leak is fixed! Let the water run while you are brushing your teeth or shaving.

Fail to pay attention! Please consciously think about ways to save water.

Water - How Do I Reduce Use?

There are so many ways to save water. Each starts with the recognition that we are using too much.

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Reduce, Reuse, and RecycleMania!

Reducing waste at the source means selective purchasing, such as buying only what you need for a project and purchasing items with minimal packaging. Using electronic announcements or digital fliers for events instead of printing off multiple hard copies can reduce waste. Printing on both sides of the paper is another great way to reduce paper use. Packaging materials are one of the largest sources of waste today. Do your best to minimize packaging material. Take a reusable cloth bag to the Cadet Store or Grant Hall when you purchase items. The USCC S4 has several reuse programs in place, including clothing and serviceable electronic collection. Look for details through the Energy and Environmental Chain of Command as to when collection times will occur. The annual cadet Swap Meet prior to graduation is another opportunity to exchange and reuse items. West Point’s recycling rate continues to increase each year. Efforts by Cadets, such participating and promoting RecycleMania, have helped increase recycling awareness across post. West Point has done very well in RecycleMania to date, finishing in the top 10% of most recycling categories. Please help us continue to improve in the future by recycling all you can!

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2012 USMA RecycleMania Results Per Capita Classic 10th of 339 universities Paper Recycling 14th of 169 universities Cardboard Recycling 3rd of 168 universities

Top RecycleMania Companies

2012 - Company A4 2011 - Company A3

One of the most important events for the Energy & Environment chain of command and the cadet club Engineers and Scientists for a Sustainable World (see pg 17) is RecycleMania. RecycleMania is an intercollegiate recycling competition that seeks to improve recycling systems on university campuses across the US and Canada. Each year over 600 schools compete. For more information go to: www.recyclemania.org

Sponsored Redemption Center

Since 2010, Coke, in conjunction with DCA, has sponsored a redemption center located in the basement of Washington Hall. For each redeemable Coke bottle or can submitted, your com-pany activities fund will receive five cents. While a nickel isn’t much by itself, a whole companies worth of Coke products can add up fast. The Redemption Center hours will vary based on demand—please see your Company E2O for details! Please take advantage of this opportunity to help the environment and make some money!

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The Cadet Recycling System

Step 1: Collect recyclables in your room and store in an authorized location

Step 2: Plebes collect recyclables and store them in approved locations

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Step 3: Plebes place recyclables in the proper receptacle for removal by MWR.

Hanger Recycling?

Can you recycle hangers? Yes, you can! MWR will recycle them as scrap metal and the laundry plant will take them back in limited quantities. Please see your Company E2O for locations to

consolidate and return your hangers!

Being Wise on Paper

Think before you print or photocopy. Use the print preview feature to select only the pages you need.

Use double sided printing and copying. Buy and use recycled paper with a high percentage

of post-consumer content. Save paper printed on one side to print on the other. Use scrap paper for notes. Edit work on the computer rather than on paper. Set some of your computer documents with narrow

margins so that fewer pages are printed. Use electronic announcement circulation rather than

printing multiple copies. Actively participate in your company’s recycling pro-

gram and in events like RecycleMania.

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What Can Be Recycled?

Items NOT allowed in Containers

Needles or syringes

Paper ream wrappers

Frozen food, ice cream or frozen juice containers

Mirrors, ceramics or Pyrex

Light bulbs, plates or vases

Drinking glasses, window glass

Hazardous or bio-hazardous waste

Tissues, paper towels, napkins

Styrofoam® or paper to-go containers

Comingle Containers (RED) ―single stream‖

Plastic screw-top caps on EMPTY plastic containers

Plastic bags

Metal (cans & bottles) Jugs Jars Plastic microwave trays Tubs Glass bottles & jars Clean, balled aluminum foil (2‖ or larger) and pie pans Loose metal jar lids & steel bottle caps Paper milk/ juice cartons (no foil pouches, do not flatten Empty aerosol cans (no caps) Plastic cans & bottles

Mixed Paper Containers (BLUE)

White or pastel office paper Magazines, brochures & catalogs Books File folders Blueprints Paper egg cartons Opened mail & greeting cards Any unclassified documents (MWR shreds all classified documents with the large shredder at their facility) Paper bags

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Hazardous Materials

Electronic Waste (E-Waste)

Some consumer products that you may use regularly should not be thrown in the trash because of their hazardous properties. They may be toxic, corrosive, flammable, reactive, or explosive. Mercury thermometers are an example of a common hazardous material. Another is batteries that contain Nickel, Mercury, Cadmium, Silver, Lead, or Lithium. If your company has paint, lighter fluid, batteries, mercury thermometers, or excess propane tanks, contact Mr. Ray Parrott, USCC S4 and schedule a pick-up for disposal.

Do not throw out your printers, computers, stereo equipment, or refrigerators whether they work or not! The USCC S4 has the capability to dispose of electronic waste is an appropri-ate manner. Mr. Ray Parrott, USCC S4, will accept electronic waste in Ike Barracks Room

E35. Please coordinate with him before dropping off items!

Broken Furniture Periodically the USCC S4 will coordinate for 30 foot containers to be placed in key locations such as Central Area for the purpose of furniture collection. Please do not throw furniture out in the regular trash - wait for these containers. Please be sure to place only furniture in

these containers when available. They are not for trash!!

Reusable Items Items that can be reused such as clean clothes, uniforms, or electronics can also be turned in to the USCC S4 in Ike Barracks Room E35. Please coordinate with Mr. Ray Parrott prior to drop

off. You will also have the opportunity to exchange items in the Cadet Swap Meet in April.

Top Company Award - Environmental Sustainability

Starting in Academic Year 2012-2013, the top cadet company in the

area of environmental sustainability (recycling, water use efficiency,

energy conservation) will receive a green streamer and recognition

at the Brigade Level.

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The Environmental Science Major

Environmental science is a broad, integrative, science-based discipline which focuses on the interrela-tionships between people and the environment. Environmental scientists conduct investigations to ana-

lyze these interrelationships and to identify, abate, or elimi-nate human-caused pressures on the environment. The ulti-mate goal of these investigations is to create a sustainable balance between humans and the natural world that mini-mizes environmental degradation. This major develops ex-pertise into the processes that sustain our environment by expanding upon the West Point core science education by adding studies in the natural sciences such as biology, ecol-ogy, geology, and meteorology, and in the integrative stud-ies of environmental decision making and environmental se-

curity. This broad academic background is excellent preparation for challenges faced by a military leader who must balance resource and human requirements. The program seeks to (1) enhance your curiosity about natural processes and your ability to study such processes as a scientist and (2) deepen your knowledge of human influences on the environment and foster evaluation of our individual and collective responsibilities as environmental stewards.

Environmental engineers face a range of issues from disasters like air pollution from the terrorist attack on the World Trade Towers or drinking water contamination following the earthquake in Haiti. Environmental engi-neers use chemical, biological, and physical processes to engineer systems that address these issues. This disci-pline is evolving to face new challenges resulting from rapid growth in human population and technology. Envi-ronmental engineers work in multinational teams to de-velop methods to combat global climate change; find alternative sources of energy; and to recover materials from discarded products. It is not surprising that a report in Fortune Magazine identified environmental engineer-ing as the fastest growing profession for the period 2002 to 2012. Our program provides you with an ac-tive learning experience designed to develop your knowledge of math, science, and engineering science and your ability to use this knowledge to be an active problem solver for complex environmental issues. This skill has been invaluable to our graduates in the Army as they work environmental projects in Iraq and Afghani-stan and improve the welfare of their soldiers.

Opportunities to Learn More...

The Environmental Engineering Major

For More Information Contact Dr. Marie Johnson at marie.johnson@usma.edu

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―By becoming an environmental model in energy conservation, recycling and preserving biodiversity, we mimic those self-perpetuating natural ecosystems – forests, meadows, and wetlands – that have survived for many thousands of years.‖

- William A. Niering

Volunteer!

Engineers and Scientists for a Sustainable World (ESSW) is a cadet-led club whose purpose is to help people and the environment through service-based projects at West Point and the local area. Recent service projects include developing a rain-harvesting system in Yonkers, expanding biodiversity through planting flowers at the Orange County Arboretum (see picture), and annually participating in Recycle Mania. ESSW also works hand-in-hand with the Energy and Environmental Chain of Command to solve environmental issues in the Corps of Cadets. ESSW is open for all to join - not just environmental engineers and scientists. If you are interested in helping the environment at West Point and in the Corps of Cadets, please sign-up!

Engineers and Scientists for a Sustainable World

Ways to Get Involved...

Become the Energy & Environmental Officer for your company, or ask to

help them out!

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Special Thanks To: The Energy and Environment Chain of Command

The Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering The West Point Energy Council MWR Recycling at West Point

Edited By MAJ Andrew Pfluger, G&EnE

Contributing Authors:

Dr. Marie Johnson, G&EnE LTC Mark Smith, G&EnE

Mr. Stan Brown, MWR Recycling Mr. Ray Parrott, USCC S4