Recycling helps Moody's environment

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frances Locquiao
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  As part of Moody's ongoing effort to go "green", the Recycling Center and base environmental specialists would like to remind everyone to recycle.

Elvis Lane, 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron environmental specialist, is part of this effort to educate the base about recycling and spread awareness of what Team Moody members can do to help.

"Recycling is important because it saves landfill space which will save valued land for other uses," Mr. Lane said. "Instead of throwing an item away, it can be used to make another product.

"In addition, recycling protects the environment by minimizing the energy spent on industrial production," he added. "When new products are manufactured from raw material, the amount of energy consumed is higher than re-using recycled material."

Mr. Lane also pointed out that even though it is mandatory for all Air Force members and civilian employees to recycle, according to the Air Force Instruction 32-7080, Pollution Prevention Program, it is easy to do.

"There are a variety of office and household items that are recyclable," said Mr. Lane. "Paper, newspapers, plastics with triangular symbols and cans are a few and it's as simple as placing them in blue bins around base."

To make things even easier for Moody members, Terry Hendricks, Slone Associates Inc., refuse and recycle program project manager, along with his partner Mark Perry, Slone Associates Inc., assistant refuse and recycle project manager, go around base to pick up recyclables, called "milk runs".

"We collect refuse from about five squadrons per day," said Mr. Hendricks. "During Fridays, we go back to the places that we weren't able to pick up items the first time."

The Recycling Center is open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday when people have other things to recycle, he said.

Old electronics, broken furniture, used anti-freeze, scrap metal, fluorescent lights and batteries can also be taken to the center.

At the recycling site, the items collected are sorted in preparation for shipment. The recyclables are loaded into trucks that belong to different businesses in Georgia, who pay Moody for the items.

The funds from the businesses go directly to the Qualified Recycling Program. The money is used for refuse contracts and the remaining is given to support morale, welfare and recreation programs.

Last year, the Recycling Center collected approximately 1,210 tons of refuse and was able to recycle 60 percent. The Air Force goal is to recycle 40 percent of its waste.

"It was a great effort last year," said Mr. Lane. "We were able to exceed the standard and I hope that this we do even better. I just want the base to know it is the right thing to do today and tomorrow for the future of our children and the military."