Kadena celebrates Earth Week ... one 'green' event at a time

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kenya Shiloh
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  April 22 marks the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.

While small countries like Morocco plan to celebrate Earth Day for the first time this year, and large countries like India continue to develop alternate energy sources for the future, Kadena Air Base and the Okinawa military community are taking steps to save the environment in their own way.

For example, last year the Okinawa military community recycled nearly 13 million pounds of recyclables as part of a larger effort to increase recycling while reducing energy consumption.

This year, in recognition of Earth Week and the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, Kadena officials are sponsoring a week of activities to promote greener lifestyles and get entire families involved in the process.

"'Performing daily acts of green' can have a big impact on the environment if everyone does it," said Michelle Walton, 18th Civil Engineer Group Solid Waste and Qualified Recycling Program manager.

According to Ms. Walton, the recycling program staff plans to give away 10,000 reusable tote bags with the "Kadena Earth Day 2010" logo to shoppers at the Base Exchange and Commissary April 22 along with the message to reduce, reuse and recycle. On top of that, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service is offering five cents off the total purchase to patrons using reusable tote bags.

"With events like our reusable tote bag giveaway, we can eliminate thousands of shopping bags since one reusable tote bag can replace 1,000 plastic shopping bags a year," she said. "Five cents may not seem like much but it does add up if you frequent these establishments."

Ms. Walton wants to remind people that their daily activities can have a huge impact not just on the environment but on their wallets.

A lot of things considered "green," or environmentally friendly, can cost a lot of money, but something as simple as using a lunch box or reusable shopping tote everyday can not only save a lot of money but produce a lot less waste.

"Since Kadena pays a flat rate for waste and recyclable materials removal, the cost per year is in the millions," she said.

Ms. Walton said that only a small fraction of base housing residents island-wide have recycled in the last year. Items like plastic bottles, paper (including magazines), scrap metal and cardboard - to include packing boxes and wrapping paper - can be recycled in the base housing areas island-wide.

"If military housing residents island-wide put recyclable items in the proper bins, the recycling program could save nearly $120,000 per month or $1.5 million per year. The money saved could be used to pay for things like the base electricity bill or buying more recycling bins."

But learning how to recycle the right materials is just one of the many activities scheduled during Earth Week. For those who want to brave the jungles, the recycling program and 18th Force Support Squadron are sponsoring a jungle clean up April 19-20 to remove 50 years of waste hidden in the bush.

"In the past we've found tires, trash, bicycles, and even half a car," Ms. Walton said. "In an effort to clean it up, we can also remind people not to dispose of stuff like this in the jungle in the first place."

To get the whole family involved, the Schilling Community Center is hosting a Family Fun Night event April 23. Families can make crafts, view critters handled by the entomology flight, view exhibits by the Shogun energy and recycling staff as well as collect trinkets from each venue.

For those who don't mind getting their feet wet, there will be a Project Aware underwater beach cleanup for scuba enthusiasts scheduled April 24 in conjunction with a Kadena Marina beach cleanup spearheaded by the local boy and girl scouts.

Those who prefer to stay on solid ground can attend the Outdoor Recreation Center Expo the same day. The center will have demonstrations on how to recycle at home, school or work and show people different ways they can "perform daily acts of green" by carpooling or turning the water off while brushing their teeth. Base residents can even participate in a free swap meet where they can trade unused items with other people instead of disposing of them in bulk waste.

"Saving the environment is important, because in doing so, it rids us of things that are bad for the environment and bad for the person," said Ms. Walton. "So saving the environment protects your own health and practicing 'daily green' activities can save money in the long run."

Below is a list of scheduled Earth Week events:

5K Earth Week Kickoff
Earth Week will kick off with a 5K run on April 17. The run starts at 7 a.m. at Risner Gym. Registration begins at 6:15 a.m. Earth Week 2010 T-shirts will be given to the first 200 runners. For more information, please contact Senior Airman Eady or Tech. Sgt. Hernandez at 634-5128.

Jungle Cleanup
On April 19, volunteers will clean up areas along Douglas Blvd. from Arnold Terrace to Marek Park. This is a great way to boost unit morale while protecting the environment! All supplies will be provided. Volunteers will meet at Chapel 1. Cleanup will be in shifts from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information or to volunteer, contact Outdoor Recreation at 959-2850.
On April 20, volunteers will clean up the area between Amelia Earhart Intermediate School and the O'Club. All supplies will be provided. Volunteers will meet at the parking lot across Beeson St. from the O'Club. Cleanup will be in shifts from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Outdoor Recreation at 959-2850.

Shredding Party
Shred unneeded sensitive documents at Outdoor Recreation (Bldg. 614) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 21. Please remove all staples, paper clips, binder clips, and other fastening devices prior to shredding. This party is open to all base organizations and housing residents. For more information, contact Michelle Walton at 634-5336 or e-mail michelle.walton@kadena.af.mil.

Pajama Story Time
Listen to book readings about conservation, recycling and being green, all while in your pajamas! Snacks will be provided. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. April 21 at the Kadena Library. Pre-registration is required. For more information, contact the Kadena Base Library at 634-1502.

Reusable Bag Giveaway
Every customer at the Kadena BX and Commissary on Earth Day (April 22) will automatically have his or her purchases bagged in a FREE reusable bag with the 2010 Kadena Earth Day logo! Limit one bag per customer while supplies last. For more information, contact Michelle Walton at 634-5336 or michelle.walton@kadena.af.mil.

Awards Ceremony & Tree Planting
Congratulate the winners of the four DoDDS Earth Day Contests as they receive their awards for a job well done! Watch the annual tree planting, as we try to continue the circle of trees around the track. The awards ceremony starts at 2 p.m. on April 22 at the Marek Park track with the tree planting to follow immediately afterward. For more information about the awards ceremony, contact Michelle Walton at 634-5336 or michelle.walton@kadena.af.mil. For more information about the tree planting, contact George Komine at 634-2132 or george.komine.jp@kadena.af.mil.

HazMat Amnesty Collection Party
Turn in unneeded or excess hazardous materials, whether usable or not. Usable items will be available for free issue to authorized users. This event is open to housing residents & base organizations. The party will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 23 at Outdoor Recreation. For more information, contact Maria Aresbanez at 634-2985 or maria.aresbanez.ctr@kadena.af.mil.

Family Fun Night
Have fun as a family while learning about the natural world and conserving resources. There will be hands-on activities, videos, and pizza! The fun starts at 6 p.m. April 23 at the Schilling Center. Register by April 19 by calling the Schilling Center at 634-1387. For more information, contact Michelle Smith at 634-5350 or michelle.smith@kadena.af.mil.

Project Aware Underwater Beach Cleanup
Help clean up the Sunabe Seawall so that it remains a great place for running and walking. Meet at the Sunabe Seawall at 8 a.m. April 24. For more information, contact the Kadena Marina at 959-6344.

Swap Meet
Get your spring cleaning off to a great start by swapping your unneeded items for something you can use! This event is open to SOFA-status personnel only. You can swap from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 24 at Outdoor Recreation. For more information, contact Maria Aresbanez at 634-2985 or maria.aresbanez.ctr@kadena.af.mil.

Outdoor Recreation Expo
Explore the many opportunities Kadena Outdoor Recreation has to offer and learn how you can lessen your impact on the environment. There will be hands-on activities, demonstrations, and bouncy toys! The fun lasts from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 24. You can even get a $1 lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. while supplies last. For more information, contact Outdoor Recreation at 959-2850.