Air Force celebrates Earth Day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Thornbury
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  In celebration of the 45th Annual Earth Day, the Air Force is re-emphasizing its long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship by encouraging its workforce to promote recycling at home and on the job.

Earth Day, celebrated April 22, was founded by former Sen. Gaylord Nelson, who said "the wealth of the nation is its air, water, soil, forests, minerals, rivers, lakes, oceans, scenic beauty, wildlife habitats and biodiversity. That's all there is. That's the whole economy. That's where all the economic activity and jobs come from. These biological systems are the sustaining wealth of the world."

Installations worldwide are taking action to meet the Department of Defense's Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan goal of diverting 55 percent of non-hazardous solid waste and 100 percent of electronics waste this fiscal year and beyond.

McConnell's recycling center is taking steps to clean up the base by recycling scrap metals and oil, as well as solving the erosion and pollution occurring in the waterways.

In 2014, the base sold 313,000 pounds of scrap metal and 21,000 gallons of oil bringing in more than $33,000 combined and avoiding spending $21,000 in hazardous waste disposal fee, said Tina Seemayer, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron environmental engineer.

Each person can make an impact by recycling objects from used cell phones to junk mail, and using products made from recycled resources. 

According to U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Center, more than 140 million cell phones are thrown in the trash each year. E-waste makes up two percent of America's trash, yet is responsible for 70 percent of overall toxic waste. Organizations such as 'Cell Phones for Soldiers' take used cell phones and give them to military members for reuse or recycle them.

On average, a U.S. citizen receives more than 10 pieces of junk mail each week. If that amount of paper was not used, nearly 100 million trees would be saved each year, according to U.S. AFCEC. CatalogChoice.org, a website that eliminates companies from sending you mail, can help prevent unwanted mail from filling your mailbox.



For more information on the Air Force's Earth Day efforts, visit http://www.afcec.af.mil/


(Information provided by 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs)