U.S. General Services Administration
Greater Southwest Region Receives Federal Green Challenge Awards Eight Years in a Row
What better testament to GSA’s commitment to Sustainability than receiving Federal Green Challenge awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for eight years in a row. That’s every year since the program’s inception in 2013. That’s why when we hear people say GSA’s Sustainability Team in the Greater Southwest Region is dedicated, committed and enthusiastic about their work, we know they’ve earned that reputation.
Federal Green Challenge awards are a reflection of an agency’s dedication towards implementing sustainable actions in their facilities. The data driven awards are based on the greatest percentage of change over the previous year in five target areas including Waste, Electronics, Purchasing, Water and Transportation. Agencies receive recognition for significant sustainable efforts and for their leadership in reducing the environmental footprint of the federal government, which in turn saves taxpayer dollars and conserves energy. Every year the Regional Sustainability Team looks for new ways to reduce environmental impacts and conserve resources. By analyzing how materials are extracted, manufactured, distributed, used, reused, recycled, or disposed of, they established baselines for facilities, set goals and measure results. And once again, the hard work and dedication paid off. The Greater Southwest Region won three 2020 Federal Green Challenge awards in the target areas of Waste and Water.
- Waste: General Services Administration, A. Maceo Smith Federal Building, Dallas, Texas
The A. Maceo Smith Federal Building increased its landscape composting from 0.11 tons in 2018 to 0.42 tons in 2019, resulting in a 281.8 percent improvement. - Water: General Services Administration, OKC Federal Building, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The Oklahoma City Post Office and Courthouse Federal Building reduced its potable water consumption from 3,086,000 gallons in 2018 to 2,191,725 gallons in 2019, resulting in a 28.98 percent improvement. The Post Office and Courthouse was able to achieve this reduction by applying daily irrigation checks and monitoring weather for irrigation purposes. - Water: General Services Administration, The Centre Phase 5, Branch, Texas
The Centre Phase 5 Federal Building reduced its potable water consumption from 5,174,000 gallons in 2018 to 3,740,000 gallons in 2019, resulting in a 27.72 percent improvement. The Federal building was able to achieve this reduction by using an advanced water controller and by making additional irrigation improvements to help address erosion concerns.
GSA paves the way in sustainable buildings for the government and the private sector by using net zero designs, green roofs, advanced building technologies and green building certificates. Our overarching goal is to ensure our federal assets, including federal courthouses and land ports of entry will be around for years to come. With an inventory of over 1,350 federally owned and leased buildings in the Greater Southwest Region alone, and 9,600 nationally, it’s easy how GSA’s sustainability efforts make a difference in all of our communities.
Learn more about GSA’s Sustainable Strategies on GSA.gov.