Photo By Brian Davis | BANGOR, Wash. – Clinton Shields a woodworker at the NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound Supply...... read more read more
BANGOR, Wash. -- As a result of a staff member’s recommendation, NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) Puget Sound now creates its own packing material out of scrap cardboard, saving money and making life a little bit easier for Sailors at sea.
Mike Ruelle, a packer at the NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound Supply Support Department at Naval Base Kitsap – Bangor, was attending a training course at the U. S. Army Defense Ammunition Center in McAlester, Oklahoma., when he was shown various methods and machines used for logistical packing.
Among the box makers, table saws, staplers, and shredders explained and demonstrated to his classmates during the course, what caught Ruelle’s attention was a shredder that turned scraps of corrugated cardboard boxes into a material that could be used for package cushioning.
“Since commercially-produced packing materials such as plastic bubble wrap and fiber cushioning are costly, it made sense to recommend that we offset these costs by procuring a similar machine,” said Ruelle.
According to Ruelle, his recommendation was readily approved and his department ordered a new shredder to create cushioning material for shipping supplies and parts from the warehouse to customers at sea. Once the device was up and running, it provided multiple benefits to both the NAVSUP FLCPS Supply Support Department and its customers since it became operational in September.
The machine scores a sheet of cardboard and trims it to a uniform size, turning it into an 18-inch wide sheet of lightweight, flexible material with the ability to expand and contract like a net, which can be used to mold around an item or pack into a box to fill empty spaces to stabilize the product being shipped.
According to Clinton Shields, a woodworker in the Supply Support Department, the material is light, pliable, and easy to work with, but dense enough to stabilize heavy objects such as large machine parts.
NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound's’ Aviation Supply Department also procured and installed a similar device, which is currently in use at its facility at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
“The shredder turns our used cardboard into free packing material; it lowers our cardboard removal and disposal fees, and reduces our need to purchase expensive packing materials,” said Steve Chmielewski, Deputy Director of the NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound Supply Support Department.
While saving NAVSUP FLCPS money in disposal and procurement costs, making and using packing made from scrap boxes brings an advantage to the customers, too.
“Using recycled cardboard also helps ships and submarines reduce the amount of plastic waste they have to deal with when they are underway,” said Chmielewski.
Handling shipboard waste at sea presents a number of challenges, particularly with plastics. While biodegradable items such as food waste, paper, and cardboard can be processed and disposed of at sea, plastics can’t, and must be stored until they can be removed in port or during underway replenishment.
Navy vessels operate under the Plastics Removal in the Marine Environment (PRIME) program, which was implemented to comply with U. S. Public Law and the Martine Pollution (MARPOL) Treaty that bans oceangoing vessels from disposing of plastics in the marine environment. Under PRIME guidance, all plastic waste is processed, compacted into disks, and stored onboard to be removed for proper disposal while in port or during underway replenishment.
Reducing the amount of plastics makes life a little more convenient for Sailors, especially aboard submarines. Although compressing plastic into disks for onboard storage is sanitary and much more efficient than storing loose, uncompressed trash, storing the 20-30 lb. disks still takes up valuable and very limited space.
PRIME guidance allows for certain materials such as paper, cardboard, and food waste to be pulped and discharged overboard as biodegradable waste.
“Introducing technology like this is important because it not only avoids procurement costs for materials, but it also reduces waste disposal. Supply isn’t always exciting, but it’s important to the mission, and small things can make a big difference,” said Cmdr. Rob Csorba, Director of NAVSUP FLCPS Supply Support Department.
Ruelle, by noticing an unusual yet clever machine and bringing it to the attention of his leadership, made a significant change to how his department does business. At a cost of $5,500.00, the shredder will pay for itself in a short time, according to Chmielewski.
Reducing the need to purchase manufactured plastic packing alone has resulted in annual cost savings of over $1,000 for the Supply Support Department. Factoring in the savings in cardboard recycling and disposal as well as the benefits of using an environmentally friendly packing material will add up as the use of this technology spreads to other departments at NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound. Ruelle’s idea saved money, and ensures that while parts are properly protected for shipping, they are packed using a material that is easier to manage at sea.
"We continue to look for ways to provide the best customer service to the fleet. I'm excited to see when we are able to incorporate new technology into our processes that are environmentally positive while also making disposal more convenient and less costly for the end user. We must stay focused on the fleet and find ways to ensure they are able to complete their mission in the most efficient manner," said NAVSUP FLCPS Commanding Officer Philippe Grandjean.
NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP GLS, provides operational logistics, business and support services to Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and other Joint and Allied Forces. Products and services include contracting, fuels, global logistics, hazardous material management, household goods, integrated logistics support, material management, postal, regional transportation and warehousing.
NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of approximately 6,300 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units, and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.
For news and information about NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound, visit www.navsup.navy.mil/navsup/ourteam/navsupgls/navsupflcps or find it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/navsupflcps.
| Date Taken: | 11.18.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 11.18.2016 13:28 |
| Story ID: | 215178 |
| Location: | BANGOR, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 117 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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