Airmen practice pollution prevention daily Published Sept. 16, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The Air Force and Team Fairchild join American's nationwide for Pollution Prevention Week Sept. 15-21 by taking steps to prevent pollution and committing to health, planet and money saving actions. The service continues its efforts to educate the public about pollution prevention and reducing the contamination of air, soil and water by eliminating pollution at its source. Pollution Prevention Week, also known as P2, is observed annually during the third full week of September and presents a yearly opportunity for individuals, businesses and government agencies to highlight past successes, expand current initiatives and commit to new ways to protect the environment. Pollution is defined as the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that causes adverse change. P2 is reducing or eliminating waste at the source by modifying production processes, promoting the use of non-toxic or less-toxic substances, implementing conservation techniques and re-using materials rather than putting them into the waste stream. "The Air Force P2 program directly supports the Air Force's ability to remain flexible to meet its current mission objectives and sustain its mission operations tomorrow," said Diane Wulf, the 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron pollution prevention program manager. "By successfully preventing pollution at its source, the Air Force can achieve cost savings and avoidance, increase operation efficiencies, maintain a safe and healthy workplace for its people and improve the environment they live." Team Fairchild's Airmen and families can help reduce or even eliminate waste at the source by modifying production processes, promoting the use of non-toxic or less-toxic substances, implementing conservation techniques and reusing materials rather than adding them to the waste stream, she said. "Pollution prevention is practiced every day of the year," Wulf said. "The best way to protect the Earth and its people is to stop creating pollution in the first place." In 1993, Fairchild AFB generated approximately 273,000 pounds of hazardous waste. Two decades later and through implementation of many process changes, Wulf said, the base has drastically reduced the hazardous waste generated to roughly 21,000 pounds. "These reductions were a direct result of Fairchild personnel working together to identify and implement pollution prevention alternatives," explained Wulf. "These changes not only reduced hazardous waste, but also reduced the potential health, safety and financial liabilities associated with managing hazardous waste. Today, Airmen are still encouraged to identify ways to further reduce the base's use of hazardous materials and generation of hazardous waste." According to the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment, the Air Force pollution prevention policy requires installations to minimize the adverse impacts on air, water and land from all aspects of the Air Force mission through implementation of an environmental management system. "Implementing energy and water saving practices in both the home and workplace can be practiced daily," Wulf said. "Reducing, reusing and recycling materials not only save natural resources and energy, but can also save money." Fairchild's comprehensive recycling program includes a wide variety of materials such as scrap metal, cardboard, all paper products, plastics, cans, ink and toner cartridges, glass and moving boxes. In 2013, the base recycled more than 1,000 tons of these materials. Wulf said another way for Fairchild to "Go Green" is by practicing good environmental stewardship. All federal agencies are required to purchase specific green products that are composed of recycled, agricultural (bio-based), less toxic or hazardous materials and products that conserve energy, water, and/or fuel. "With all members of Team Fairchild working together toward the common goal of pollution prevention and protecting the environment, we will ensure we are meeting the current mission goals, sustain our mission operations for tomorrow, and build a healthier and more sustainable future for our children," Wulf said. For more information on the pollution prevention program at Fairchild, call (509) 247-8155. [Editor's note: The Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment and the Environmental Protection Agency contributed to this article.]