Breaking it down with Tyndall's Recycling Center

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stacey Haga
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Recycling - almost everyone has heard about it and it's benefits, but how does trash get to the recycling center? More importantly, what exactly goes in a recycling bin?

"Actively participating in recycling is one of the simplest and most direct ways everyone can make an immediate positive environmental impact," said Steve McLellan, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron environmental compliance chief. "Recycling is easy. It's just developing new habits and taking the extra moment to put the recyclables in the proper container rather than in the trash."

How products are separated into bins largely depends on the recycling center responsible for them. Fortunately, Tyndall's Recycling Center strives to make recycling as easy as possible for Team Tyndall with several collection spots on base and the processing of several recyclable items.

In addition to the "normal items" such as glass, paper, plastic and aluminum, the center recycles cardboard, ink cartridges and batteries.

"It costs money to dispose of garbage, and if we can more efficiently get the recyclable material out of the garbage, our disposal costs go down, plus we receive money when we sell the recyclable material," said Mr. McLellan.

"Tyndall saves about $400,000 per year based on the combination of garbage disposal costs avoided and money received for recycled material," he continued. "The savings would be even higher if we had better participation by everyone who worked on base."

One suggestion to improve recycling participation is to make it convenient by placing numerous recycle containers in convenient locations. Keep that area clean and call 283-CANS (2267) for pick-up before overflowing.

Benefits of recycling include reduced need and cost for land filling and incineration, significant energy savings and reduction of pollution, decreased emissions of greenhouse gases and conservation of natural resources like timber, water, and valuable minerals.

"For example, it takes 95 percent less energy and generates 95 percent less pollution to make a new aluminum can by melting an old one, versus making a new aluminum can by mining the bauxite ore and processing the ore into a new aluminum can," said Mr. McLellan.

In almost every building where people work, recyclable materials can be found. Tyndall's recycling center offers tips on how to recycle many items.

For more information, contact the Tyndall Recycling Center at 283-CANS.