Kadena revamps recycling program Published Oct. 16, 2007 By Tech. Sgt. Reynaldo Ramon 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Kadena residents must once again presort trash prior to disposal as a new and improved recycling program begins here Nov.1. The change is part of a new self-sufficient recycling initiative that will help Kadena monetarily and benefit morale and welfare programs. "This program is much better and I believe we can save money and make money from this," said Jon Hayashi, 718th Civil Engineer Squadron, solid waste program manager. The base was spending more than $5 million to rid solid waste and is hoping to save 50 percent when the new program is implemented. Half the money saved from the recycling program will be used for environmental projects. The other half will go back to benefit the base populace. Kadena's recycling program has been put on hold since January resulting in only 30 percent of trash being recycled. "By Department of Defense directive we should be at 40 percent, but we may be able to meet that once the program kicks in," said Hahn Nguyen, 718th Civil Engineer Squadron pollution prevention program manager. Recycling is a way of life on Okinawa due to landfill space on-island dwindling and becoming costly. All bulk trash was being incinerated before, which was costing Kadena money. Presidential mandate directed federal installations to conserve as much solid waste through recycling. "We had a recycling program in the past," said Mr. Hayashi. "We made a change because we wanted to better our recycling program. Kadena decided to get a contract of its own." The base will pay for the contract but save on disposal cost, making it beneficial, he said. Recycling costs half of what getting rid of solid waste would cost. "We want all Kadena to be in the mindset of recycling rather than letting them say, 'Why do I need to recycle,'" said Mr. Nguyen. The payoff is tremendous if the bases reach the number one goal of saving the government money and protecting the environment, said Mr. Nguyen. Last year the base saved $166,000 through recycling. The money saved went toward morale and welfare projects. Base officials have established recycling guidelines: - All recyclables will go into different bags but one bin. - Base residents must segregate all recyclable items and sort into specific groups before placing in bin, i.e., plastics, cans, and bottles. - Caps must be removed. -Cans and bottles must be washed and labels before placing them in the bin. - Residents should place recycling bins by the curb for pick-up on their respective day. - Cooking oil must be collected and dropped off only at designated areas. - Green waste can be dropped off at the mulching center on base. - Small items with metal can be placed curbside. The Kadena Recycling Center will inform base residents of the new recycling pick-up schedule. "With this new contract coming up in November, if we work hard at it, we'll see the accomplishments from recycling," said Mr. Nguyen. For more information, call the Kadena Recycling Center at 634-2833 or Environmental Flight at 634-2600.