Sustainable Technology for the Department of Defense – EcoTech Insights
Energy efficient, eco-friendly technologies are being tested for the U.S. Department of Defense, including bio-based weapon cleaners that improve efficiency and reduce carbon buildup. Sustainability analyst Bonnie Schneider shares more on the program, which includes smart controls for reducing power use in military buildings.
Transcript
Hi everyone. I'm Bonnie Schneider with your Ecotech Analyst Insights. What does soybean oil, LED lights and a bio-based weapon cleaner have in common?
They're part of a new US Department of Defense program to test and deploy sustainable technology. How is this implemented? Well, one example is found with a weapon cleaner made from agricultural materials instead of petroleum.
When tested by Marine Corp shooting teams, the cleaner reportedly cut maintenance time in half from 60 minutes to 30 minutes per weapon and reduced carbon buildup by 30%. Based on these results, the military issued its first sustainable materials requirement for tactical equipment. All weapon cleaners must contain a minimum of 30% bio-based content.
Other eco-friendly measures include smart controls for lighting and heating for military buildings to reduce power use. The Department of Defense is expanding the sustainability program across major commands, focusing on technologies that meet performance requirements and supply chain metrics.
