Tyndall’s recycling center provides a closer look at recycling Published Nov. 3, 2006 By Robert S. Myers Tyndall Recycling Coordinator TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Tyndall's Recycling Center has come a long way since its inception in March 1992. Then, the only items recycled were corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles and white ledger paper. Currently, the center has expanded its operation to include all cardboard, newspapers, magazines, phone books, white ledger paper, shredded paper, plastics (PET 1, HDPE 2, LDPE bags), glass bottles, aluminum cans, toner cartridges, scrap metals, lead-acid batteries and used oil products. The average American generates about seven and a half pounds of waste each day, nearly one and one half tons a year. The national average indicates 73 percent of trash is landfilled, 14 percent is incinerated and 13 percent is recycled. If each American reversed those percentages, millions of tons of waste would be eliminated and many resources and dollars would be saved. For instance, each ton of office paper recycled saves 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space, 17 mature trees, 7000 gallons of water, 380 gallons of oil, 4,100 kilowatts of energy and 60 pounds of air pollutants. For every ton of solid waste diverted to the recycle containers, Tyndall saves approximately $90 per ton in disposal fees. Recycling is just one important remedy for the garbage problem. It's an effective solution because it reduces the amount of waste for disposal. Tyndall Airmen can be part of the solution by recycling at work and at home. By reducing and recycling solid waste, we remove or divert it from the waste stream. Tyndall has a diversion goal of 45 percent. It is a difficult goal to achieve and will take every person here to participate to meet it. The center's goals depend on support and involvement from consumers. Tyndall has several collection programs in place. There are central collection points in most office buildings on base. There are three drop-off collection centers (huts), collection centers near Tyndall's parks and dormitories, and a curbside collection program for our Military Family Housing occupants. Even with all these tools in place, we are still having difficulty recycling our waste. As a management tool, recycling center personnel perform "dumpster dives" periodically. They are still finding large amounts of paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, aluminum cans and other recyclable items. Periodic checks in housing are also finding household waste to have the same types of recyclables being landfilled. Sorting and separating trash takes up time and it's a hard habit to get into, but the benefits are worth it. Recycling is not only a smart thing to do, it is the lawful thing to do and is mandated by Department of Defense and Executive Order. Get more involved in recycling. Commanders, managers and facility recycling monitors can periodically check their facilities refuse containers for recyclables, and get the word out that recycling on Tyndall is mandatory. For questions concerning recycling, to request pick-up or report misuse recycling centers, call the Recycling Center at 283-CANS (2267).