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Recycle: Program generates funds, conserves natural resources, preserves environment

  • Published
  • By Pascual Flores
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. --  Imagine all the forms and documents necessary to run a business. Now imagine how much paper must be used to promote the United States national security at the only tri-service joint base.

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is not immune to paper use, but nearly ten years ago leadership started a recycling program to decrease the amount of waste produced at what were formerly McGuire Air Force Base and Fort Dix.

A recycling partnership has existed between the two bases since 2003 and focuses on more than just paper. Recycling operations are vast and include sorting items, shredding paper, bailing cardboard and compacting other waste.

The abundance of paper and other wastes, such as plastic, glass, scrap metal, cardboard, toner cartridges collected by the JB MDL recycling center staff has kept the staff busy, picking up and collating waste from throughout the entire joint base.

"We visit approximately 248 buildings per week between Dix and McGuire," said Clarence Lewis, Occupational Training Center Project Manager, JB MDL Recycling Center. "We pick-up recyclables from 24 buildings per day at each base and process the items at the recycling center."

JB MDL is mandated by the Qualified Recycling Program to establish a program that meets the 50 percent diversion goal for non-hazardous solid waste and 60 percent diversion for constructions and demolition debris as dictated by the DOD sustainability performance plan by 2015.

The QRP requires concerted efforts to divert or recover scrap or waste from waste streams and identify, segregate and maintain the integrity of recyclable materials to maintain or enhance the marketability of the material.

The program has matured since it was implemented and recycled more than 2,000 tons of waste last year. The total amount of recyclable goods in 2011 were: cardboard 327 tons of cardboard; 186 tons of office paper; 56 tons of newspaper; 13 tons of shredded paper; 21 tons of toner cartridges; 938 tons of scrap metal; and 3,600 tons of composted sludge and 50,000 gallons waste oil.

Other recyclable items such as pallets, tires, coated wire, rechargeable batteries and construction debris can be taken to the Radin Road facility here.

Different facilities on the joint base are responsible for processing various materials.

Electronic equipment such as TVs, computers, monitors, etc., must be taken to UNICOR recycling located at 5735 Doughboy Loop. Brass recycling is processed through Defense Logistics Agency/Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office. Used oil recycling is managed at the hazardous waste facility and other used oil tanks located at various locations here, said Charanjit Gill, Supervisor Pollution Prevention Branch, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron.

While the recycling program here help defer large amounts of waste from ending up in landfills, it also generates revenue for the installation.

With the current landfill solid waste disposal cost at approximately $73 per a ton and a refuse collection and hauling cost of approximately $30 per a ton, the JB MDL recycling program provides an annual savings of more than $230,000.

"All money generated from selling JB MDL's recycled materials is used to defray the cost of the recycling programs," said Gill. "Any excess money is used to fund environmental projects, recreational equipment, services, and events which might not otherwise be funded. Solid waste disposal costs are avoided when materials are recycled."

The recycling program generates approximately $25,000 monthly in proceeds.

"Recycling is important because of the positive impact it has on the earth. It impacts the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink," said 2nd Lt. Jose Figueroa, operations support deputy, 87th CES. "I take pride in knowing the Air Force has taken such a strong initiative in recycling and know it will benefit the future generations to come."

The recycling center located at 2321 Radin Road is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Note: The recycle operation at Lakehurst has been operating under a separate civilian and military contract and will be added to the joint base contract in October, 2012.