New 96-gal totes give Team Andersen's Recycling program a face lift

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- The Environmental, Safety, Occupational and Health Council, chaired by the 36th Wing Vice Commander, has made solid waste diversion (recycling) a high priority for Team Andersen. Their strong belief in recycling supports an environmentally sound practice that has helped Andersen set the example for environmental stewardship on the island of Guam. The Air Force non-hazardous solid waste diversion goal percentage without including construction and demolition debris is 40% by 2010.

What can you recycle? We currently recycle aluminum cans, plastic bottles (triangle 1&2), glass, cardboard, mixed paper, newsprint and magazines.

To make recycling easier, we have procured new 96-gallon 'blue' recycling bins for all Military Family Housing residents. Residents do not need to sort recyclable materials, just place all items in your recycling bin. Not enough Bin space? Just put the recyclables in a separate container next to your trash can and they will be picked up on the scheduled trash pick up date.

Off-base residents and the general base populace can drop off their recyclables at the Arc Light Recycling Center just inside the main gate or drop them off at recycling bins across the base. The recycling center is open Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 1600 and they have a 24-hour drop off station outside their gates.

Office and Industrial areas are required to collect each recyclable media separately, which means they must use a separate bag for paper, glass and aluminum cans. If you do not have the regular 'blue' recycling bin, you may collect the recyclables in any well-marked container. Recyclables may be dropped off in a bin or dumpster marked for recycling or at the base recycling center. Cardboard does not need to be bagged.

The success of our recycling efforts will require support by all members of Team Andersen. You may ask yourself, "Why should I recycle?" The answer to this question is simple, think of your children and their future. Consider the following reasons why recycling is the right thing to do for Team Andersen.

· Recycling minimizes the amount of waste discarded in our base landfill and increases its life span
· Recycling solid waste conserves and protects our natural resources including vegetation and water
· Recycling reduces emissions from energy consumption helping to save the ozone layer
· Landfill space is at a premium....we are simply running out of space for landfills

The bottom line is the earth gives us life so we need to protect it. So how do you start to recycle at home, at the office, on the base? Begin by separating your recyclable materials from trash every day.

Recycling Tips

Do: Rinse containers (labels may remain on) and keep items for recycling separate from garbage
Don't: Recycle any item contaminated with food

Do: Recycle clear, brown, green, or blue glass such as juice bottles, beer and wine bottles, mayonnaise jars, and baby food jars
Don't: Recycle light bulbs, crystal, coffee mugs, ovenware, clay flowerpots, or plates

Do: Recycle aluminum cans that hold soda, soup, juice or vegetables, and aluminum foil not contaminated by food
Don't: Recycle aerosol cans, steel cans, or aluminum foil or pie plates contaminated by food

Do: Recycle all mixed office paper and newspaper
Don't: Recycle any paper with adhesive (e.g., sticky notes), paper towels, or paper napkins

Do: Recycle cardboard (PCS moving boxes, cereal boxes, shoe boxes, paper boxes, detergent boxes) and grocery bags
Don't: Recycle any cardboard that is saturated with water or is contaminated by food or oil