A federal facility in New London, Conn., was among 25 federal facilities nationally recognized for helping the federal government be greener in its buying, using and disposing of electronic equipment.

The US Coast Guard Academy in New London was one of 33 winners from 10 federal agencies nationwide to receive the 2012 Federal Electronics Challenge award, sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive. 

In addition, Chris Beling, a project manager at EPA’s New England office, was among 10 individual federal employees to be recognized as a champion in the Federal Electronics Challenge.

The activities of all the winners resulted in $7.8 million in savings last year and greenhouse gas emissions reductions equivalent to taking 6,000 passenger cars off the road for a year. The federal government purchases billions of dollars worth of information technology equipment and services annually. 

This year’s award winners include: 10 Platinum Awards, five Gold Awards, ten Silver Awards and eight Bronze Awards. These winners completed a variety of electronics stewardship activities in fiscal year 2011, including purchasing more than 105,000 green electronics registered with EPEAT - the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, software that compares the environmental attributes of computer desktops, laptops and monitors; enabling power saving sleep features on more than 97 percent of their computers and monitors; and recycling more than 361,000 pounds of electronics. 

The US Coast Guard Academy was given a bronze medal for its success in reducing the environmental impacts of electronics.

Beling, a project manager in the EPA’s Office of Assistance and Pollution Prevention, was given a Champion Award for her dedication and support to this electronics challenge.

The Federal Electronics Challenge is a partnership program that encourages federal facilities and agencies to buy greener electronics; reduce the impacts of electronics during use and to manage the disposal of used electronics in an environmentally safe way. Electronics includes items such as computers, printers and mobile phones.

Electronic equipment may contain toxic constituents and use significant amounts of energy. It can also present complicated disposal challenges.

“The purchasing, use, and disposition of electronics have significant environmental impacts,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England Office. “We are so proud that Chris was able to find ways to reduce the impact of electronics in our office.”

“This recognition is a testament to the efforts of Academy personnel to embrace positive practices that foster environmental awareness and support a sustainable future for the service,” said Rear Adm. Sandra L. Stosz, U.S. Coast Guard Academy Superintendent.

The complete list of winners and more information on the award are available at http://www.epa.gov/fec/awards.html#winners