JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Due to changes in Military Family Housing's recycling service, nearly all varieties of recyclables are now permitted at curbside for recycling pickup on base.
Added to the list of recyclables are: glass bottles or jars, aluminum or steel cans, aerosols, plastics numbered one through seven, as well as all paper, paperboard and cardboard. Plastic bags, plastic wrap and foam are excluded.
Prior to the recent change, only containers stamped with the number one or two on the bottom had been recycling eligible for base residents. The change for base residents came as a result of Charleston County's goal to raise the recycling rate of its solid waste, said Alan Moyer, the base's pollution prevention and solid waste manager, and new buyers in the market for mixed plastics have been a contributing factor, he said.
On-base housing units collectively average more than 7.5 tons, or 15,000 pounds, per month in curbside recycling. With the expansion of permissible recyclables, base residents are now presented greater opportunity to help preserve natural resources and reduce solid waste going to local landfills.
In addition to aiding Charleston County's recycling rates, active recycling participation in Military Family Housing also plays a large part in the base's federally-mandated solid waste diversion goal.
"Military Family Housing contributes substantially toward the Department of Defense goal of diverting 40 percent of the solid waste stream generated by Charleston AFB," Mr. Moyer said.
The 628th Civil Engineer Squadron, Asset Management Flight, encourages all MFH residents to actively participate in the base recycling program. When participating, the following instructions should be followed for proper separation of dissimilar materials:
· Glass bottles and jars, aluminum and steel cans, aerosols, and plastics can be commingled in the same bin.
· Paper, paperboard and cardboard can be commingled in a separate bin.
For pickup, every other Thursday Charleston County performs curbside collection to all Military Family Housing units on base, which are currently provided blue, 20-gallon recycle bins.
The base also provides two central recycling drop-off points located at the base theater parking lot and at the corner of Arthur Drive and Stewart Avenue, across from the Arts and Crafts complex.
These drop-off points accept all recyclable materials as well as corrugated cardboard. The centralized recycling stations are serviced two to three times a week, but are not on a set collection schedule.
For questions or additional information, contact Alan Moyer at 963-2690.