718th CES recognized for environmental efforts

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason Lake
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Kadena's 718th Civil Engineer Squadron was recently recognized by Headquarters U.S. Forces Japan for its environmental efforts.

The 718th CES was awarded the Installation Environmental Excellence Award for Pollution Prevention during a ceremony at Camp Foster May 27.

"In a world of ever decreasing resources it is essential that we optimize what we have so we can continue to operate," explained Lt. Col. David Wilder, 718th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. "The natural environment, often overlooked, is an inextricably linked part of our day to day mission and it is all of our responsibility to be good stewards. [This award] recognizes Team Kadena's effort in conserving the environment and being good ambassadors to our host nation."

The unit organized a slew of activities celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day and Earth Week. More than 100 people participated in a 5K Run that kicked off the week-long campaign. Other events included a pajama story time reading 'green books' and a jungle cleanup with more than 120 volunteers who removed more than 2.7 metric tons of trash, more than half of which was later recycled. Some other innovative ideas included a Reuse Swap Meet hosted with housing residents to cut disposal costs, underwater cleanups with scuba divers along the Kadena Town seawall and handing out more than 10,000 reusable shopping bags at the base exchange and commissary.

"This was a year of firsts for Team Kadena: the first environmental celebration of this magnitude, the first partnership with the 18th Force Support Squadron, and the first occurrence for most of the Earth Week events and contests," said Michelle Walton, 18th Civil Engineer Group Solid Waste and Qualified Recycling Program manager and key organizer during Earth Week. "Because of the dedication of the Earth Week Committee, the hard work of the volunteers, and the support of Team Kadena commanders, the entire week was more successful than I imagined."

The unit's curbside recycling program saved more than $1 million in fiscal year 2008 and $1.3 million in fiscal year 2009. On top of all the money saved, the unit also implemented a breakthrough program to recycle used cooking oil to make bio-diesel fuel for vehicles at the base recycling center.

The award also highlighted the unit's efforts to maximize the potential of the thousands of Airmen, government employees and local workers through numerous environmental training programs. Some of the programs that helped make an impact on the environmental front include:
  • Training more than 3,700 island newcomers about the significance of Okinawa's unique environment.
     
  • Training nearly 700 Hazardous Waste Accumulation Point managers last year. The training program was lauded by Unit Compliance Inspection members for guiding trainees' "flawless" execution of program.
     
  • Providing bilingual training for 400 Hazardous Material managers and saved the unit more than $125,000 in cleanup costs.