Unit fund, programs funded through recycling

Courtesy Photo | On November 14, 2019, the Fort Jackson, SC recycle center held a special event to collect paper to shred, and to collect electronics, tires and other recyclables not picked up during normal trash collection. (Photo by Mr. Ron Lester)  

FORT JACKSON, SC, UNITED STATES

11.21.2019

Story by Alexandra Shea 

Fort Jackson Public Affairs Office

Most are familiar with the blue plastic recycling bins within their work space or company area. What most may not know is that the funds generated from using these bins mean big bucks and funding for units as well as projects across Fort Jackson.

There are two recycling funding pools and while both generate funds in different ways, they share a common outcome – funding Soldiers and post projects. One project is the recycling center on Lee Road and the other is received as a grant of sorts by meeting the standards of being a qualified recycling program.

Fort Jackson recycles a host of items that includes paper, cardboard, metal strapping, used oil, tin cans, glass and various numbered plastics.
Expended ammunition brass is also recycled and all these items are sold in the commodities market and are used to manufacture new items.

“It’s mandatory to recycle on Fort Jackson,” said Ernest Dicks, business manager for the recycling center. “It’s also the right thing to do and we save Fort Jackson an enormous amount of money recycling.”

Combined, the installation keeps more than 3.3 million pounds of recyclable items out of landfills, which not only saves landfill space but also saves the installation from paying fees to dump refuse in landfills. Through both of these programs, roughly $400,000 are generated from recycling annually.

So where does all this money go? First, these funds cover the total overhead costs of operating the recycling center. Then, units that participate in the recycling program get a share of the funds which is about $40,000. These funds go into the units off-duty funds that can be used to fund an annual unit ball or barbeque. Recycling can also help with unit fundraising. Dicks said, Soldiers can drop off recyclable household items to the recycling center to help generate funds for their unit.
A portion of the total funds also go toward projects across the installation that include trail maintenance and various other projects that are unfunded.

To get these funds, the projects must meet pollution abatement, energy conservation and occupational safety and health activities guidelines. The remaining funds are given to the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation and used to help sponsor Family events such as the upcoming holiday 5K.

“It’s a win, win and third win with the additional $40,000 paid to unit awards,” said Christine Voegele, chief of Family and MWR Support Services. “Unit funds can be used for off-duty recreation.”

Items that can be recycled through the unit recycling program includes, paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, glass (amber, clear and green), magazines, newspapers, wooden pallets, plastics numbered one through seven, steel cans, and steel strapping.

For additional information or to join the unit recycling program, call the recycle center at 751-4208. For more information about unit morale fund, speak to your unit’s fund custodian or call 751-5928.

• Date Taken: 11.21.2019
• Date Posted: 11.29.2019 09:25
• Story ID: 353911
• Location: FORT JACKSON, SC, US