DALLAS – October is Energy Action Month, but for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, energy conservation is year-round—and it’s just one part of the Exchange’s commitment to sustainability.
“The Exchange is committed to reducing electricity and water use, as well as increasing recycling and marketing sustainable products,” said Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Osby, Exchange senior enlisted advisor. “These efforts improve the quality of life for the Soldiers, Airmen and Guardians we serve and allow the organization to save millions—helping increase its support for military communities worldwide.”
The Department of Defense’s largest retailer, the Exchange works closely with the Army and Air Force on their priorities, including helping them attain their energy and sustainability goals. The Exchange recognizes its obligation to provide a healthy and environmentally sustainable shopping environment to Soldiers, Airmen and Guardians.
One of the Exchange’s strategic priorities for 2021 is replacing fluorescent lights with tubular LEDs, or T-LEDs, which provide energy savings and lower carbon emissions. The majority of store renovations include installing T-LEDs. The Exchange is working to update 600,000 lights in more than 180 locations in the continental United States.
“The T-LED benefits the military community with improved, energy efficient consistent light levels for Exchange stores,” said COL Kip Korth, Exchange command engineer. “As a result, military installations benefit through lowered energy consumption.”
Other ongoing sustainability initiatives include:
- Adding lighting timers and controls at all stores and distributions centers, realizing energy cost savings of 5.6% over five years.
- Intensifying the marketing of LED lamps, bulbs and lighting.
- Recycling more than 7,000 tons of plastic, aluminum and cardboard annually.
- Designing and building new stores to globally recognized energy and Environmental design certification standards
- Installing more water-efficient food court equipment during construction and renovations, resulting in 30% in water savings annually.
- Encouraging the use of reusable shopping bags.
- Expanding sustainable apparel offerings. The Exchange now offers Levi’s men’s and women’s sustainable denim and boys’ Eco Performance denim, featuring REPREVE recycled performance fiber.
- Offering eco-friendly, cruelty-free cosmetics and skincare products (including vegan options) from brands such as Bravo Sierra, EcoTools, bareMinerals, Aveda and Farmacy.
- Increasing its selection of high-efficiency Energy Star products to 49% of all major appliances, 100% of TVs and 93% of computers.
- Developing a comprehensive refrigerant management plan to phase out refrigerants that generate greenhouse gases.
During 2020, the Exchange’s global logistics operation, which encompasses 10 distribution centers worldwide and the 11th-largest private retail fleet in the United States, recycled about 285 tons of cardboard, 600 tons of metal, 16,000 tons of pallets and 61 tons of lead acid forklift batteries.
Logistics is also reducing its environmental impact by:
- Recycling about 280 gallons of oil, 1,100 tires and 300 batteries from its fleet annually.
- Reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by using self-inflating tire systems to increase miles per gallon; installing trailer skirts and aluminum wheels to improve aerodynamics and reduce weight; and replacing aging trucks with new vehicles with fuel-saving features
Facebook-friendly version: The Exchange is celebrating Energy Action Month during October, but its commitment to energy conservation and sustainability is year-round. Read more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-1RJ.
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Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 53rd-largest retailer in the United States. 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In the last 10 years, your Exchange benefit has provided $3.4 billion in earnings for critical military Quality-of-Life programs. The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund entity of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors. The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize the service, valor and sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans and their families in conjunction with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.
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Media Notes:
For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Robert Philpot 214-312-3831 or [email protected].
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