Tyndall recycle center Published March 21, 2012 By Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Tyndall Air Force Base is building a culture of recycling at both at the office and at home. The Air Force has a goal of reducing solid waste (trash) by 50 percent. This means every employee needs to reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as possible. Much of what is thrown away can be recycled for generating revenue instead of disposal cost. It's not just smart, it is also a requirement. The base operates a 5,000 square-foot recycling center, which is responsible for nearly 1,500 tons of recycling per year. The 325th Civil Engineer Squadron operates the center with non-appropriated fund employees through a partnership with the 325th Force Support Squadron. Tyndall's aim is to keep trash out of landfills, save natural resources by recycling, and help protect public health and the environment. "The lifetime volume of garbage the average American generates is more than 600 times his or her adult weight," said Mr. Bob Myers, Tyndall's Recycling Center Manager. "At the present rate of disposal, about 500 new landfills must be found each year," said Mr. Edwin Wallace, Tyndall's Recycling Program Manager. He further stated that Tyndall's recycling program is self-sustaining and all proceeds for commodities sold come back to the base. An added benefit is avoiding the $144 a ton disposal cost. Last year Tyndall recycled 1,261 tons, avoiding a $181,585 disposal bill. The world's supplies of fossil fuels are slowly being depleted and mineral deposits are being reduced. "Using recycled materials will delay the depletions of existing resources and decrease our dependence on foreign nations for tin and other minerals we now import," said Mr. Myers. The recycling center is operated by six employees, is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and offers pick-up and drop-off services. There are bins available for drop-off after hours at the recycling center, the parking lot of the Class VI store and near Hanger 3. The recycling center collects plastics, paper, and scrap metals. The plastics containers that can be recycled will feature a symbol of "PETE 1" or "HDPE 2." The center asks that all caps be removed, the item rinsed, and crushed to reduce volume. In addition to those containers, the center also accepts polyethylene materials such as plastic shopping bags, shrink wrap and clothing covers. However, they must be clean and free of trash, moisture and food particles. The paper products collected are single layer paper, board and box board, brown paper bags, newspapers, corrugated cardboard (boxes,) colored paper, junk mail (remove plastic windows,) white paper, magazines and phonebooks. All paper products turned must be compliant with privacy act requirements. They will not collect carbon paper, photographic paper, self-stick labels, thermal computer paper, federal registers, adding machine tape, napkins, tissues, paper towels, wrappers or any kind of Styrofoam. The main scrap metal products recycled are ferrous and non-ferrrous metals from Tyndall AFB facilities and construction/demolition projects. Aluminum cans are a valuable commodity that the recycling center collects, the cans should be completely emptied and crushed to save on space. They also accept aluminum products such as gutters and lawn chair frames. Other metals can be dropped off at the center as well as lead acid batteries in good condition. Recycling is extremely important to Tyndall AFB and is highly recommended to all employees and residents. "It is the right thing to do and it is required by executive order," said Mr. Myers. "All federal installations are required to recycle." Fifty cardboard trailers are strategically placed throughout the base. These containers are emptied on a rotating schedule for pick-up. However, if a collection is needed sooner, the recycling center will be available upon notification. Mr. Wallace said for recycling to be successful at Tyndall AFB it will require people to make a culture change at home and the office. For more information contact Edwin Wallace at 283-4346 or the Recycling Center at (850) 283-CANS.