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Enterprise Committed to Protecting the Environment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100817-04
8/17/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Alex Forster, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) are working around the clock to provide their shipmates and embarked air wing Sailors with a clean and healthy living environment during the Tailored Ship's Training Availability and Final Evaluation period Aug. 14.

With more than 5,000 personnel, correct and safe trash disposal is paramount to the safe and effective operation of "Big E."

The ship's pulping unit is one of the integral systems that is manned 24 hours a day to maintain the standard of living. The ship has two pulping units to manage food waste.

"We take mess deck waste and other food wastes, separate out any glass, metal, plastic or other foreign objects and put it in the trap." said Culinary Specialist Seaman Trevor D. Stewart, one of Supply departments S-2 division Sailors who operates the pulping units.

After the food waste is put into the unit, the objects that were sorted out are taken to the proper disposal areas. As the waste is being processed, salt water is introduced to speed up the process to help break down food and other biodegradables.

Another equally important system employed to manage the ship's waste is the trash disposal system. Enterprise Sailors know to bring their trash to the collection team located in hangar bay two. But, more than likely do not know the steps this team takes to ensure that Enterprise Sailors maintain clean work and living spaces as well as working to maintain to a healthy environment.

"We take the plastic and melt it down into pucks, paper and cardboard products are incinerated, and certain metals that sink are thrown overboard," said Lance Cpl. Mitchell Thomason, of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron 251 on temporary assigned duty within Supply department's S-8 division.

Hazardous materials (HAZMAT), that cannot be disposed of while out to sea are held aboard ensuring nothing hazardous is released into the environment.

"We take oils and other liquids and store them in the HAZMAT cage until we return to port," said Thomason. "Then they are disposed of properly." Thomason encourages Sailors and Marines to ensure trash is sorted correctly.

"If Sailors want to help with the trash disposal system, the easiest thing they could do is make sure they and their shipmates are correctly sorting out the trash in their work centers and spaces," said Thomason.

Following the Navy's environmental stewardship policy, the Sailors working to keep Enterprise clean also keep our environment clean, day in and day out.

Enterprise is at sea conducting work-ups in preparation for its 21st deployment.