News

Robins continues to grow recycling program

  • Published
  • By Jenny Gordon
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Each year on Nov. 15, recycling is celebrated as part of America Recycles Day.

Since the current base recycling center opened in July 2012, Bldg. 987 has welcomed daily visitors to its location conveniently tucked away behind the Exchange and Auto Hobby Shop.

"There are still folks who don't know this building is here," said Darryl Mercer, 78th Civil Engineer Group Qualified Recycling Program operations manager. "Take a few minutes to come by and bring your items. At best, you won't have to empty your garbage as much since you can take all the recyclables out."

The center has 16 convenient drive-up windows which you can slide open and drop recyclables inside. All are labeled, to include mixed, brown and clear glass, metal/aluminum cans, plastics, white or mixed paper, cardboard and newspapers.

An area for toner cartridges has also been a busy area as well. In the last year, $3,500 has been generated back to Robins from that alone, according to Mercer.

Employees from Happy Hour Service Center in Warner Robins continue to clear out items in the building and other collection points across the base three days a week.

In fiscal 2013, the recycling program here, in conjunction with Happy Hour, collected 455 tons of cardboard, 349 tons of paper, 10 tons of aluminum, 54 tons of glass and 47 tons of plastics, generating revenue of more than $117,000.

The program also recycled 935 tons of scrap metal, 175 tons of used oil and more than 56 tons of batteries.

The recycling program's other sources of income include QRP scrap metal operations and Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Service.

More than half of what Americans throw away each year ends up in landfills. Recycling not only reduces the amount of that waste, but also conserves natural resources, prevents pollution, saves energy and helps sustain the environment for future generations.

To learn more about Air Force recycling efforts, including its current Win the War Against Waste campaign, visit the Air Force Civil Engineer Center site at www.afcec.af.mil/news/WWAW/index.asp.