Recycling on Peterson AFB

  • Published
  • By by Phil Chase
  • 21st Civil Engineer Squadron
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Peterson Air Force Base is working toward a recycling revolution by recycling half of its total refuse collected.

The base has a recycling policy signed by Col. Stephen N. Whiting, 21st Space Wing commander, which sets the goal of recycling 50 percent of the base's total collected refuse. For example, Peterson AFB recycles cardboard, plastic, aluminum cans, steel cans, paper, magazines, newspapers and scrap metal.

Currently, PAFB recycles 40 percent of the total refuse collected. Of the 60 percent refuse going to the local landfill, 23 percent contains recyclable material. Peterson AFB could do better and recycle more to reach its goal.

Dumpsters are located near most facilities around the base for office paper, cardboard and trash. Due to lack of available space, many facilities share dumpsters.

However, Peterson employees all have access to the recycle yard, located at the southwest corner of Ent and Goodfellow avenues. The recycle yard is open 24 hours, seven days a week. There are two long dumpsters located to the right when you enter the yard. These dumpsters have separate compartments for aluminum, plastic and paper. A third dumpster is located between these dumpsters for cardboard.

The Asset Management Flight does not pick up recyclables (plastic, aluminum, paper) from each facility. It is up to each facility to organize its own recycling program. One way is for facility managers to place recycle bins within the facility and then organize volunteers to maintain and empty the bins. The volunteers can then haul the recyclables to the recycle yard. The Asset Management Flight will supply recycling bins upon request; contact Phil Chase at 556-7707.

General rules:
Office paper which has been shredded should be placed in the paper recycling dumpsters.
Cardboard should be flattened.
Aluminum cans and plastic bottles should be cleaned and flattened.
Glass is not recycled at PAFB; check with off base facilities for glass recycling.