America Recycles Day: It all comes back to you Published Nov. 14, 2008 By 14th Civil Engineer Squadron Environmental Flight COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Nov. 15 is designated as America Recycles Day. The purpose of America Recycles Day is to continue to promote the social, environmental and economic benefits of recycling and encourage more people to join the movement toward creating a better natural environment. Celebrating its 11th year, it has grown to include millions of Americans pledging to increase their recycling habits at home and work and to buy products made with recycled materials. It is estimated the average American discards 4.6 pounds of garbage every day, including recyclable materials such as aluminum, cardboard, plastic and glass bottles. In 2001, Columbus AFB implemented a mandatory recycling policy. The Columbus AFB facility recycles everything from mixed paper (white, colored, phone books, magazines, sticky notes), steel/aluminum cans, glass, plastic bottles, cardboard, toner cartridges, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs and yard waste. To date, we have successfully recycled over 18,000 tons. It's not only about recycling; purchasing "green" products also help preserve our natural resources. Federal agencies are directed by federal laws, regulations and executive orders to make purchasing decisions with the environment in mind. In 1993, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency created the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program to help federal officials meet these requirements. Environmentally preferable means "products or services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose. The Air Force describes this as "Green Procurement" and Columbus AFB has implemented a very rigorous green procurement program. The base service store, One Store Solutions, was renovated with recycled-content carpet and low-volatile paint and stocks over 100 recycled-content products for purchase with the GPC. Nov. 21, Columbus AFB will celebrate America Recycles Day in conjunction with the Fitness Center Fun Run. Representatives from the 14th Civil Engineer Squadron Natural Resources Element will be distributing recycling information, free water bottles and t-shirts before and after the race. Feel free to join us between 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. even if you are not participating in the Fun Run or stop by One Store Solutions for a first-hand look at the recycled-content product. For more information contact Renee Howell, 14th CES, at 434-7146.
