CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service Shoppette here had its first visit April 13 from a newly contracted company offering a convenient way to dispose of sensitive documents, while protecting the environment at the same time.
The company provides mobile, on-site shredding of confidential documents and delivers the remnants to a local recycling collection point for eventual use in everyday products.
"I heard about the service from someone at the Base Exchange," said Celia Stetler, Shoppette manager, "I was excited when I heard."
The environment is something to be protected more than anything else, she said.
The disposal company has more than 150,000 clients in 16 countries. Together, its customers help save more than nine million trees every year.
Environmental consideration is important to AAFES, and the company always encourages looking for new ways to conserve, said Judd Anstey, a public relations manager for AAFES Headquarters in Dallas.
The Shoppette accumulated a large buildup of documents during a three-year period until mid-February due to an AAFES-wide moratorium on shredding, said Joe Puryear Jr., a market price coordinator at the Base Exchange here. When the halt first occurred, some documents were already up to 7 years old, he said.
After the ban lifted, Ms. Stetler said she attempted using personal shredding machines, but nothing available could handle the volume of paper she had on hand. In some cases, documentation went as far back as 10 years.
Safeguarding confidential documents during disposal is a responsibility the manager has to her customers, she said, and it's one she makes a priority.
The system in place now provides a simple solution for the Shoppette. A locked, secure container is delivered, and individuals slide documents through a cutout on the top. For every two containers filled, one tree is saved.
Chomae Ashford, a shift manager at the Shoppette and an employee for seven years, said, "After seven years, it's like a dream come true!"
Upon pickup, the storage container is unlocked, its collection bag is cinched and documents are dispensed into a chute inside the truck.
With the push of a button, powerful blades turn paper, cardboard, staples and paper clips into fine pieces no longer than half an inch. All processes are monitored directly by the customer to ensure document security, and a certificate of destruction is presented after each visit.
Every organization using the service receives an annual environmental certificate, detailing the impact of their partnership on the environment.
"It's a good initiative," said Luis Class, the chief of natural resources management with the 437th Civil Engineer Squadron here. Individuals must find one way or another to dispose of sensitive material properly, he said.
Organizations considering alternative disposal solutions involving recycling should contact the Asset Management Flight, Natural Resources Element, to ensure weight totals are reported.
Asset managers are required to report weight totals for all recycled materials leaving the base. The Air Force goal is 40 percent waste diversion. Without accurate reporting, records will not correctly reflect total recycled amounts.
"We want to make sure we get credit for it," Mr. Class said.
After receiving inquiries about records disposal in the past, he said the service used by the Shoppette is the easiest way to get the job done if the price is cost effective for the organization.
Ms. Stetler said the service is relatively inexpensive, which makes it an excellent option for her store.
Pickup service is offered monthly through the company the Shoppette uses, but one-time purges of up to 300 boxes of documents are performed as well, said Eric Lane, a driver with the disposal company.
In addition to serving the Shoppette, the disposal company has a variety of clients in the local area, including retailers, banks and hospitals.