Base supports America Recycles Day

  • Published
  • By Tim Norton
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  To help celebrate America Recycles Day, Homestead Air Reserve Base opened a 24-hour, drive-up accumulation point for recyclable materials during a brief ceremony on Nov. 14. 

Operated by the 482nd Civil Engineering Environmental Flight, the new drop-off bins are located on the north end of building 164 of the Base Recycling Center. 

"Our goal is to develop the best Air Force integrated solid waste management program and divert as much solid waste from the landfill as possible while making a profit" said Mr. Timothy Driscoll, 482nd Fighter Wing solid waste manager. 

Base personnel will now have a convenient way, any time of the day, to dispose of their work place and home recyclables such as: paper, cardboard, plastic and aluminum cans - hazardous materials cannot be accepted. 

Last year the base recycling program saved over $165,000 in operational costs by diverting 70 percent of all solid waste generated by Homestead ARB from the land fill. Over $13, 000 were made available to Homestead ARB morale, welfare and recreation programs Driscoll said. 

During fiscal year 2008, Homestead ARB recycled 411 tons of recyclable materials including: 70,000 aluminum cans, 8,500 pounds of glass bottles; 11,000 pounds of plastic bottles, 290,000 pounds of cardboard; 96,000 pounds of paper. 

The program also manages construction and demolition recycling for various construction projects base wide. Last year recycled construction and demolition materials yielded 226 tons of mixed metals with a savings of $8,000 in project costs and revenue of $17,000. 

In addition, the recycling center recycles batteries, toner cartridges, scrap metals, CD's and DVD's, clean wood and Styrofoam.

"Here at Homestead ARB we are committed to preserving the environment through, in part, offering comprehensive recycling services" said Mr. Larry Ventura, 482nd FW Environmental Flight chief.

"As part of our ongoing "Win the War Against Waste" campaign, an initiative to reduce solid waste, we encourage all our employees, and their family members to support us, by renewing your commitment to recycling" Ventura added. 

Now in its 11th year, America Recycles Day, celebrated on Nov. 15 every year, is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and to buy recycled products. 

The purpose of ARD is to promote the social, environmental and economic benefits of recycling and to encourage more people to join the movement to create a better natural environment.