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Eielson recycling project kicks off

by Senior Airman Rachelle Coleman
354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

4/19/2011 - EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Icemen will soon have the opportunity to reduce their waste by recycling paper, plastic and glass products on-base when the new recycling program kicks off in the weeks following Earth Day, April 22.

The 354th Civil Engineer Squadron Environmental Flight has been working diligently to restore a way for Icemen to recycle since the previous program ended. The new program will collect recyclable material for K&K Recycling and the Chena Power project who will use it to produce energy for the Fairbanks community.

"Their philosophy is that they are trying to, as much as possible, keep the end revenues here in the Fairbanks area. By keeping the revenues in the interior, they have a better chance of turning the corner economically because it's normally the shipping that puts everything upside down," said Mr. Loren Garner, an environmental engineer with the 354th CES. "By doing that, they keep the jobs and economic growth here."

Collection bins will be at three different locations on base: the Moose Lake transfer site on French Creek drive, next to the hobby shop on Arctic Avenue, and across from the old gas station site on Wabash Avenue. Blue plastic bins may be in the workplace from the last effort to have a recycling program on base. Those containers can still be used as well as any other boxes or containers that are clearly labeled for recycling.

Each of the recycling containers at the collection sites are color coded; mixed paper and cardboard go in blue bins, aluminum cans should be placed in green bins, tin cans in black bins, plastics numbered one through seven in yellow bins, and glass in red bins.

Eielson's involvement is strictly voluntary. Collection points will be set up on base and K&K Recycling will handle the transportation of the recycled products to the facility. This process is designed to benefit both the local economy and the environment.

"From an environmental perspective we significantly reduce the amount of material that goes to the landfill," said Mr. Garner. "We're able to derive energy from the materials or put them back into useful products rather than bury them."

All residents and personnel are encouraged to recycle but only if they're willing to prepare and properly separate recyclables from trash in order to make the recycling program successful.

"My personal goal is that we give K&K Recycling [recyclable material] that is as clean as we can," said Mr. Garner.

According to Mr. Garner, Eielson has tried to make significant recycling efforts in the past but they were not cost effective or functional due to non-recyclable trash contaminating the recyclable material.

"We're excited to have a local business entity where we can partner and benefit together. Without local end-uses, recycling will never be cost effective in Alaska," he said.

"The importance of having a recycling program available here at Eielson cannot be overstated. Our community has anxiously waited for a viable recycling program...and persistence and patience have finally paid off," said Brig. Gen. Jim Post, 354th Fighter Wing commander. "This is a very important initiative and a responsible way for each of us to contribute to the welfare of our environment and installation."

The new recycling program is a way for Eielson to work together with Fairbanks and the surrounding communities to forge a bond that helps Icemen, community members and the environment.