Trash to Cash: Drop off center takes recyclables from home

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Erik Hofmeyer
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, FL --  Homestead Air Reserve Base's recycling program and its 24-hour drop off center are reaching new heights by diverting increasing amounts of recyclables away from landfills, and even making some money in the process.

And many hope this is just the beginning; the 482nd Fighter Wing is looking to step up recycling efforts for its environmental impact and because it profits from recycling.

"Hopefully, people will start bringing in recyclables from home to our drop off center located on the north side of building 164 (next to Outdoor Recreation)," said Mr. Tim Driscoll, 482nd Environmental Flight environmental protection specialist.

Half of the proceeds generated by recycling go back to the 482nd FW in the form of 'morale, welfare and recreation' funds. After tallying up all recycling proceeds from Fiscal Year 2008, the Environmental Flight will give a check for $10,619.79 back to the wing.

"We could significantly increase the amount of money given back to the men and women of the 482nd Fighter Wing if we started bringing in recyclables from home to the drop off center," said Col. William Binger, 482nd FW commander. "It would be a real bonus to the base."

The drop off center, intended for use by all base personnel and military retirees, has bins for aluminum cans, scrap metal, cardboard and paper, and plastic bottles.

In addition to the traditional consumer recyclables, the Recycling Center staff tackles various and sundry items most people don't usually associate with recycling. Other recyclable items include: Any sort of metal, batteries (no alkaline), wire, cell phones, ink cartridges and now Styrofoam, the most recent addition to the list.

"I was pleased to find a vendor off base who can recycle Styrofoam," Mr. Driscoll said. "We give it away for free, but at least it won't go to a landfill where it'll never decompose."

The center also recycles in a different sense. Oftentimes, they receive reusable items which are redistributed wherever they're needed around the base. And sometimes, donated items may be rebuilt and sold for profit. For example, wood and broken pallets are rebuilt into new pallets for sale to vendors in the community.

The recycling center has recently seen a windfall of recyclables stemming from the drop off center and increased base-wide awareness.

The Environmental Flight, who oversees the recycling program, saw a drastic increase in recycling from 2007-2008. And the base has recycled more in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2009 than all of 2007 combined.

Contests have also been held to promote increased recycling.

The Environmental Flight hosted a recycling contest on Nov. 15 to see who could bring in the most pounds of recyclable material. The award went to Senior Master Sgt. David Fawley, 482nd Security Forces Squadron, for bringing in 71 pounds of recyclables. The Flight plans on holding the same contest for Earth Day in April with cash rewards and hopes to continue raising participation around base.