2nd CES performs dumpster dive

by Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

2/20/2014 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- In 2013, Barksdale sent more than 1,535 tons of trash to local landfills. In addition, the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron recycled more than 38,747 tons reducing the environmental impact on local communities.

With more than 52 refuse containers on base, the 2nd CES picked one container to empty and see where Barksdale stands in 2014 on recycling.

"We chose a refuse container that was being used by more than one squadron," said Alfredo Garza, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron recycling manager. "Most containers are dumped everyday so we asked to keep this one filled so we could estimate the amount of recyclables it contained."

Dumpster diving isn't a typical duty. It's random and used as a gauge to determine where the base is on its knowledge of recycling.

"Fifty percent of what we found in this container was recyclable items," said Garza. "That was one day of inspection. Imagine every container, every day, populating the same amount of waste. The Air Force is losing money every day because people either don't care or don't know."

There are 52 refuse containers on base, each one having a recycling container next to it.

"A lot of people drink from plastic water bottles and canned beverages," said Garza. "We found more than 200 of these items in the bin which can take up to 10 years or longer to disintegrate in landfill."

Recyclables have no business in landfills added Garza.

People believe recycling is something someone else should do, but in reality, everybody needs to do it because it will make a huge difference in the long run.

Garza went on to explain that recycling is not just a duty, it's our job as good stewards of our planet.

"The recycling program is one of many programs under the Environmental Management System umbrella," said Bill Lee, 2nd Civil Engineering Squadron EMS coordinator and HAZ waste manager. "We are all expected to know how our roles and duties affect the environment."

As an EMS coordinator, Lee believes the largest area of focus is understanding your role in both the industrial and office work space and to take action to minimize impacts to the environment.

"It's easy to see what waste comes from the industrial workforce," said Lee. "An office worker who improperly recycles has the same effect on the environment as someone in the industrial force."

Understand that, no matter if you work in an office or out in the field, everything not recycled enlarges our environmental footprint and increases landfill space. It's as simple as properly throwing out the trash, said Lee.