Eglin celebrates America Recycles Day 2015

  • Published
  • By Mike Spaits
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  What's "here today" doesn't have to be "gone tomorrow."

Reducing or reusing the things we come in daily contact with should be a priority in this world of shrinking resources and recycling should be the next step.  That's the message Eglin's Qualified Recycling Program manager, Michael Vannoy, wants everyone to live by.

America Recycles Day is Nov. 15, and this year's theme is "Bathrooms, Bags & Gadgets."  The goal is to increase awareness and encourage purchasing of recycled content products and recycling throughout America.

This year's theme shines a light on some of the everyday, but not "top of mind" consumer products, that can and should be given another life through recycling. These include personal care items commonly found in the bathroom, like haircare and mouthwash bottles; plastic bags, such as those used at retail stores, and plastic wrap used in packaging paper towels, toilet paper or dry cleaning; and consumer electronics and gadgets, such as mobile phones, tablets, game consoles, televisions and more.
Vannoy is in the business of taking recyclable materials and converting them into revenue for the base.

In 2014, Eglin generated more than 18,000 tons of municipal solid waste (garbage), or nearly 50 tons per day. Of that, approximately 1,100 tons were recycled.

"We sell most of the recyclable products that come to us, and the money we make is used to pay for the personnel and the equipment and facility upkeep," said Vannoy.  "Any money above that is returned directly to Eglin organizations in the form of projects."

Despite all the benefits Eglin enjoys through recycling, Vannoy believes base members can still do more. More than 50 percent of the waste delivered to the Okaloosa Transfer Station is products that can be recycled. 

Another major recyclable item is aluminum cans. Eglin makes approximately $.42 for every pound of aluminum cans recycled through them.

The two keys to making Eglin's recycling program more successful according to Vannoy are knowing what is recyclable and practicing recycling them - always.
Although years of education and awareness have helped Americans realize that landfills do indeed fill up, recycling can only reach its potential if it's practiced by everyone.

The Compliance Branch of the Environmental Management Division will be providing pamphlets and brochures on what the base recycles and what everyone can do to help preserve our natural resources for future generations at the Eglin Main Exchange Nov. 12 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., in celebration of America Recycles Day 2015.