I just got caught

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Justin Weaver
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  So there I was, on base, dumping trash from my house because I was too lazy to take it to the Aviano recycling center. Despite the big red "Read this" sign with an arrow pointing to the disclaimer of "no off-base trash," I quickly disposed of my items despite my conscience telling me that I really shouldn't be doing this. Sadly I had left my integrity and better judgment sitting on my front porch that morning as I grabbed that last cardboard box to throw in the dumpster.

But just before I could make what I thought would be a clean getaway, a vehicle pulled up and a master sergeant from the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron quickly confronted me. I won't relay the ensuing conversation but instead of owning up to my mistake of bulk trash dumping I stated I had only thrown away a single cardboard box which I promptly retrieved to take off base. Problem solved. Or so I thought.

Little did I know my integrity had snuck in the back of the car and after a slight wrestling match it got the best of me. And so I turned around and returned to the dumpsters to retrieve the items I had dumped. I then drove to the ecological platform (every town has one) and within five minutes I had my trash sorted and more importantly, legally dumped in the appropriate location.

Despite correcting my mistake, I was still bothered by my white lie I had told earlier. With my integrity firmly grasping the wheel, I drove back to base and tracked down the master sergeant to clear up the situation.

After admitting my ignorance and apologizing for my lie, I promised I would help get the word out about the problem of illegal on-base trash dumping and why those signs were there to begin with.

To start with, the base spends close to $400,000 each year on disposing of illegally dumped items. In Italy, it is even illegal to transport garbage in your vehicle unless you're going to your own town's ecological dumping center and the Carabinieri can fine you up to 600 euro if you are pulled over.

Master Sgt. Salvatore Capaccio, 31st CES Dormitory manager sent me the following tips people can follow to help with the base trash problem:

"First, if you're off base, don't even think about bringing your trash on base," he said. "Not only is this illegal, but it drives wing costs up unnecessarily. Use your town's eco center to dispose of bulk trash items.

"Second, integrity is doing the right thing even when nobody is looking. Take the extra steps to do the right thing instead of causing a mess for someone else to clean up."

According to Capaccio, if he or one of his dormitory managers catches someone illegally dumping trash they will download the camera footage (yes, they have cameras monitoring the dumpsters) and send it to security forces for investigation.

"If the trash is generated on base, read the signs posted by the dumpsters on what can and cannot be disposed there," said Capaccio. "If you're a dormitory resident or if your office is disposing items, take bulk trash items to the Base Recycling Center. Lastly, if you witness someone illegally dumping trash (a good sign is a car backed up to the dumpster with the trunk open) stop and challenge them. Get their license plate, name, note the date and time, and file a witness statement with the law enforcement desk."

The base refuse center is open 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It is located adjacent to building 10462 on Area F. Customers can call 0434-30-5770 for more information.

Accepted items are:
Paper/Cardboard
Wood
Green waste
Plastic
Bulk trash/furniture
Electronics/appliances (dorm residents only)

To dispose of tires and car batteries, take them to the Aviano Auto Skills Center.
Only government generated items are accepted. No household or off-base waste will be taken. The exception is for dormitory residents who may use the BRC to dispose of bulk trash items. Visit http://www.aviano.af.mil/library/recycling.asp for directions to each town's ecological platform and their hours of operation.