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Recycling pays Hurlburt big dividends

  • Published
  • By Courtesy 16th CES
  • 16 CES
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla --  An empty cola can is worth money to the base. That means that the next thing you do is important because whether or not you recycle that aluminum can is critical to the base recycle center making money for quality of life spending.

According to Mr. Craig Overstreet, 16th Civil Engineer Squadron Environmental Flight, there are three reasons why people on base don't recycle.

"People don't recycle because first, they don't know that it's an Air Force and Hurlburt Field Instruction that says everyone recycles, and we are correcting that with a vigorous training plan," he said. "Secondly, people can't find the receptacles to place recycle items into, and that can be solved quickly with a call to the recycle center at 884-7577. Lastly, we see people that don't recycle simply because they don't care, and that's unacceptable."

All base residents are required to recycle. But, what do you do if you live off base and want to help the base?

Simply drop by the recycle center and pick up a free recycle bin and fill it up with aluminum cans, glass containers, all types of paper and plastic. When your bin is full, bring it in to the recycle center and trade it for an empty bin.

Hurlburt Field's recycling program is doing great. Revenues are up because base residents and workers put a great deal of effort into the program.

Currently, the recycling program is showing a nice surplus of funds, which will be put directly into various programs aimed at making the quality of life better for all the Airmen and civilians assigned here. 

The recycling committee is currently looking for other ways to provide benefits to the base, and the committee is open to any suggestions that you may have.

Some activities that the recycling fund now supports are Sound of Independence fireworks, Family Fest and Golf Camp.

Everyone on Hurlburt should be very proud of the all the wonderful things recycling do for the base and the community, not just including monetary returns. Recycling saves resources by providing materials for use that, in the case of aluminum, do not have to be mined and processed.

Recycling also prevents massive quantities of useful materials from going to a landfill thereby taking up space that may be used for better functions. 

Recycling saves valuable resources like aluminum, paper, glass, copper, brass and the list goes on. Lastly, recycling is simply the right thing to do because waste of any resource hurts everyone.

For a complete list of all the materials that Hurlburt Field recycles, call Ben Maor at 884-7577. For any other questions regarding recycling please call the Environmental Flight at 884-4651.