Recycling is not only green for the environment, it is also green for Fort Campbell’s budget.
The Qualified Recycling Program not only keeps tons of recyclables out of landfills, it also puts money back into post projects.
The money made from recycling is turned into funds that the installation can use for several projects to include establishing the nature walks around post, repairing the Hooper Bowling Center floors and supporting the 2017 Week of the Eagles.
Fort Campbell’s Recycling Convenience Center, located at 6802 A Shau Valley Road, receives a majority of plastics or metal. They also take pallets, used batteries, electronic waste, printer cartridges, scrap metal, used motor oil, brass under .50 caliber and ammunition cans.
“We probably generate 400,000 tons of brass a year,” said Rob Anderson, the Qualified Recycling Program manager, Environmental Division, Directorate of Public Works. “That’s our biggest money maker.”
Unfortunately, when recyclables are not taken to the convenience center they end up in a landfill, costing Fort Campbell money.
“Bottom line is it costs us money to haul trash off Fort Campbell, it also costs us to bury it,” Anderson said. “If you go to any given dumpster on [post], there is good recyclable in there and that’s throwing away money.”
These recyclable items – like plastics – are using up natural resources. The Earth only has so many of these resources to use, once we use them that’s it, they are gone, Anderson said.
“Earth only has certain resources that renew themselves,” Anderson said. “If you pollute the streams and don’t recycle the non-renewables we already made, those renewables will dwindle away and die off.”
The landfills on Fort Campbell are getting full and plans are being looked at to expand or start a new one.
“The landfill we have is going to run out of room,” said Bernie Kumiyama, recycle specialist at the post’s recycling convenience center. “When the landfill runs out of room they are going to have to start taking down trees to expand. It also is going to cost a lot in money and resources to get the new landfill, but recycling will cut down on the amount that is in the landfill.”
Everyone can recycle. Simply go to the convenience center and ask for a recycling box. Individuals should place a bag of recyclables in the box. When the box is full, individuals should take it back to the convenience center.
“Environmental division will give you a box for recycling,” Kumiyama said. “All the unit has to provide is a bag and the convenience center will take all of it.”
The recycling convenience center is open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday, for use by anyone with post access. A part of what the QRP does is deferment, taking what would be trash and repurposing it. Directorates across Fort Campbell can speak to Anderson about supplies for projects and he can usually fill those requests using recyclables or find someone who can.
“I needed 10-foot poles for our bat nets per federal regulation,” said Gene Zirkle, Fort Campbell Fish and Wildlife program manager, DPW environmental division. “Rob was able to find me some old tent poles, a new coat of paint and I now have a perfect set of 10-foot poles. I could have gone out and bought them, but why do that when they’re already here and they have already been paid for.”
The QRP has an easy to use mobile application for all recycling needs.
“If anyone has any questions on what is recyclable or what isn’t they can download the Green Eagle app,” Anderson said. “That app has all the information you need to stay in the right.”
For more information, call 270-798-9618