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Recycling, why is it important?

Diane Wulf, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron pollution prevention program manager, hands a recycling brochure and pencil to a shopper during National Recycling Day Nov. 15, 2016, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. The recycling process starts with giving used materials labeled as recyclables over to a local waste facility in designated disposal containers. Recyclable materials are then taken to be reused as raw materials for new products. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Taylor Shelton)

Recycling, why is it important?

Georgia Allen, Balfour Beatty lifeworks coordinator, and Diane Wulf, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron pollution prevention program manager, talk about a recycling brochure during National Recycling Day Nov. 15, 2016, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. Recycling is more than just separating paper out of the trash can and into the iconic “blue bin.” Recycling is about conserving natural resources and buying those recycled items back. “After items are put into the blue bin, they are delivered to a recycling facility and some recyclables are sold off to a manufacturer to be made into something new,” said Wulf. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Taylor Shelton)

Recycling, why is it important?

Published Nov. 30, 2016
By Airman 1st Class Taylor Shelton
92nd Air refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Recycling is more than just separating paper out of the trash can and into the iconic “blue bin.” Recycling is about conserving natural resources and buying recycled items back.

“After items are put into the blue bin they are delivered to a recycling facility, and some recyclables are sold off to a manufacturer to be made into something new,” said Diane Wulf, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron pollution prevention program manager.

The base has earned approximately $15,000 in 2016 by selling collected aluminum and cardboard products. That money that goes back into the recycling program to fund base recycling.

The recycling process starts with giving used materials labeled as "recyclable" over to a local waste facility in designated disposal containers.

Almost everything that is recycled is made into new items, and buying these new items made from recycled materials is what the recycling process is about, Wulf said.

“Paper and cardboard are two of the most abundant items on base that can be recycled into other items,” Wulf said. “This is why we make sure every work center has the proper recycling bins.”

Every workplace on base should have white and blue recycling bags along with desk-side recycling containers.
• White bags are for white paper such as computer or printer paper
• Blue bags are for mixed paper such as newspaper, colored paper and soda can boxes
• Other recyclable materials such as shredded paper, plastic, aluminum and glass containers should be placed in clear plastic bags and placed at the designated collection point for your facility

The Recycling Center building is located next to the Civil Engineer Squadron on Depot Ave. The center has outside drop-off containers and includes the household hazardous waste disposal office.

For more information about how you and your workplace can help out, call the Recycling Center at (509) 247-2885.