Recycling procedures change for better

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tara A. Williamson
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  In February 2011, Brig. Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, former 18th Wing commander, signed a policy making recycling mandatory in all facilities on Kadena and in family housing island-wide.

A recent change to the Kadena Recycling Program is making recycling easier for base residents; people can now combine plastics, glass and metals in one container.

"The new procedures reduce the burden on our customers and should increase participation in the Kadena Recycling Program and the amount of recyclables collected," said Michelle Walton, 718th Civil Engineer Squadron solid waste and qualified recycling program manager.

A clear bag must be used for mixed recycling to be picked up. White, black, brown or other non-transparent bags will not be picked up by the recycling contractors.

"Paper items should be bagged by themselves to prevent them from becoming soggy," Walton said. "Cardboard and other large items do not need to be bagged, but cardboard must be flattened to maximize the amount that can be loaded onto the recycling truck."

The Kadena Recycling Program sells all recyclables collected, resulting in a total of $450,000 generated from the sales of recyclables in fiscal 2011.

"In just the first two months of [fiscal 2012], we've already made over $100,000 from selling recyclables," Walton said.

Proceeds from the sold recyclables come back to Kadena and are used to improve the Recycling Program by purchasing recycling bins, brochures, promotional items such as miniature recycling bins and reusable bags, and outreach events such as Earth Week.

"Recycling proceeds have also been used to build new pavilions at the Kadena Marina," Walton added. "We also use the proceeds for capital improvements to the recycling center and to purchase recycling equipment."

One example of the profits being used is the purchase of 1,760 indoor recycling bins which are being given away to operational and maintenance facilities to improve recycling, Dec. 15 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"Personnel will be able to pick up as many bins as they need for their offices," Walton advised. "Unfortunately, these bins are not available to housing residents, but Eagle Hardware carries recycling bins."

The Kadena Recycling Program housing recycling, refuse, and bulk pickup schedules are posted on their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/KadenaRecyclingProgram, in the photos section, along with the Mandatory Recycling Policy Letter.

"We answer all questions and are happy to take suggestions for improvements," Walton added, regarding questions on the Recycling Program Facebook page.