Recycling the wreckage

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tara Fadenrecht
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  With all of the recent renovations being made preparing for the arrival of the KC-46A Pegasus to McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, comes millions of pounds of unneeded demolition debris awaiting disposal.

Instead of sending the materials to a landfill, McConnell recycles the wreckage that can no longer be used.

"During fiscal year 2014, McConnell recycled over 78,000 tons of material such as concrete and asphalt, 87 tons of metal and 272 tons of other construction and demolition debris," said Tina Mayer, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron environmental engineer.

Recycling helps the base save on garbage disposal costs, and helps to contribute to long-term environmental goals.

"Construction material tends to be bulky and less compactable or degradable than other waste materials," said Kristi Draney, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron environmental chief. "By recycling it, we're avoiding landfill use and getting credit on our annual report to Congress for recycling a higher percentage of our waste."

The Department of Defense mandates that 60 percent of construction demolition materials be recycled, but salvaging scrap metal isn't the only way for members of McConnell to get involved in recycling.

"Choosing the green recycling dumpster over the brown refuse dumpster is a quick and easy first step," said Draney.

Different materials such as paper, cans and plastic no longer need to be separated into different containers. Recycling on base can be as simple as setting aside a box to collect office waste, and then taking the box to a green dumpster, she said.

The 2015 Air Force goal for non-construction related recycling is 55 percent.

To learn more about how to help reach this goal visit http://www.afcec.af.mil/news/WWAW/index.asp