Responsible recycling saves base dollars

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- In an economic climate where every penny counts, Team Aviano members are refining their habits to help to save base funds while also supporting the environment.

Aviano Air Base has seen a recent decrease in refuse costs largely due to people taking the time to better sort their trash and recycling into the proper containers, according to Tech. Sgt. Bryan Butsch, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron.

Butsch said while the contract for waste disposal requires the base to pay per kilogram to dispose of non-recyclable material, there is no cost to remove appropriately sorted recyclable materials such as plastic, paper/cardboard and aluminum/glass. If people discard recyclables with non-recyclable refuse, the base pays for the weight of both, he added.

"With everyone's efforts, recycling costs have been going down," said Butsch. "However, we are always looking to improve. Our goal for Aviano is to reduce the weight for non-recyclables."

"Besides keeping the environment clean and following Italian law and our [Air Force Instruction], it's important the base recycles because of the cost savings," said Butsch. "We as military members have an opportunity to save money just by throwing our waste in the correct bins."

The 31st Civil Engineer Squadron has refocused their efforts to help educate the base on proper recycling techniques.

"We have some signs on the bins that have examples of what waste goes in each bin," said Butsch. "CE is also responsible for educating everyone at Right Start and all facility managers."

According to Butsch, workcenters can also help by setting up smaller recycling bins around the office to ensure all waste is being properly recycled.

"It only takes one person in an office to know how to properly recycle," said Butsch. "Make it a big deal that they threw their soda can in the wet waste bin."

Team Aviano members can dispose of on-base waste as follows:

· Aluminum cans and glass: any green bell-shaped container
· Cardboard and paper products: any container with a yellow top
· Plastics (wrappings and bottles): any container with a blue top
· Wet waste: any brown-colored container
· Dry-mixed waste: any container with a green top

Bulk trash and other items prohibited from being placed into the above on-base containers should be taken to the following locations:

· Air conditioning and refrigerator units, as well as hazardous materials like facility lights, paints and solvents must be routed through the respective unit's environmental channels.
· Automotive parts and bicycles need to be disposed of through the Auto Hobby Shop on Area F.
· Electronics and furniture may be taken to the base recycling center.

· Scrap metal and wood can be taken to the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service Office located on Area 2.

For information on contacts and the hours of operation, please visit the following websites.http://www.aviano.af.mil/library/recycling.asp or http://www.dispositionservices.dla.mil/drmo/aviano.shtml