Photo By Master Sgt. Sarah Pokorney | Staff Sgt. Lonnie Kemp, an environmental protection specialist at Gowen Field, Boise,...... read more read more
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BOISE, Idaho - The Idaho Air National Guard Environmental Office offers two ways to dispose of hazardous waste on base and depends on you, the members, to identify and do your part to dispose of hazardous waste and protect our environment. And, it’s the law.
“Improperly managing hazardous waste is a violation of the law, and the EPA can levy fines up to $37,500 per day for each violation,” said Capt. Heidi Cay, IDANG environmental manager.
The environmental office’s Hazardous Waster Management Plan makes it easy for you to identify and dispose of hazardous waste and over the last six years, has helped the base cut the amount of yearly waste produced nearly in half. In 2009 the base produced 9,439 pounds and in 2014 it was down to 5,500 pounds.
“This is likely due to changes in our waste shipping process, the aerosol can crushing machine, and reducing the amount of material expiring on the shelf in the shops,” said Caye.
The first way that we can do our part is to properly identify hazardous waste. Each shop has a list of waste they generate and how to manage it properly. This list is part of the HWMP, which can be found on the Virtual Environmental Management Office (VEMO) website on SharePoint. Individuals can also speak with their shop environmental contact to find out about what types of wastes are generated in your workplace. If you don't have a shop environmental contact or don't know who they are, you can contact the environmental office at 208-422-5849.
“The biggest hazardous waste streams on base are cadmium contaminated rags, contaminated process and cleaning water, paint related waste (both liquid and solid) and aerosol cans,” said Caye. “If you have concerns about waste being generated in your work area, call environmental and we can evaluate.”
The next step is proper disposal, which the environmental office has made especially easy. Caye explained that most shops have their own hazardous waste collection points designed to comply with hazardous waste regulations and Staff Sgt. Lonnie Kemp, an environmental protection specialist, visits the shops regularly to retrieve it. Waste can also be dropped off at the base central accumulation point at building 503 on Waste Drop Off Wednesdays from 12-2 p.m. The waste is stored onsite and shipped to the disposal facility typically every two to three months.
Lastly, the Defense Logistics Agency at Hill Air Force Base will typically coordinate the disposal. They have a contractor pickup the waste and transport it to an authorized disposal facility in Chicago. There is a local contractor that, if needed, can transport waste; they take the waste to disposal facilities in Idaho, Utah or Arizona.
“Although the local contractor is more convenient, we save significant amounts of money shipping waste through the DLA,” said Caye.
“Proper hazardous waste management matters - not only to keep the base from being fined by regulators, but also because you can ensure toxic materials are kept from polluting the environment,” Caye said. “You really are making a difference. I've worked in the environmental industry for 15 years. When I came here almost seven years ago and started managing hazardous waste, it was the first time in my career I felt I was making a difference and protecting the environment.”
| Date Taken: | 12.23.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.23.2015 11:15 |
| Story ID: | 185240 |
| Location: | BOISE, ID, US |
| Web Views: | 80 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Idaho ANG protects environment with member-supported waste management, by MSgt Sarah Pokorney, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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