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By the ton--base recycling center is big operation at Scott

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sarah Hall-Kirchner
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  

Recycling at Scott Air Force Base can be done at the recycling center located at 34020 New Mexico Street. The recycling center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
 

The recycling center accepts glass, plastic, paper, tin, aluminum, steel and cardboard.
 

In addition to the center, trucks run on business days to more than 60 base locations to pick up recyclables.
 

Michelle Behrman, Challenge Unlimited Recycling Center project manager, said the mission of the recycling center is to stop recyclable materials from going into landfills. They strive to ensure all recyclables are given a second purpose.
 

"The recycling center ships out, on average, 20 tons of cardboard, 16 tons of sorted office materials, 20 tons of mixed office materials, 20 tons of copper, steel and aluminum, and 1.5 tons of glass per month," said Behrman. "We ship the materials to a recycling plant that sorts the materials which go to many companies to make new products from the recycled resources."
 

Plastic bags, electronics, oil and fuels, and tires are not accepted by the recycling center. However, plastic bags can be recycled off base at local grocery stores. The base offers electronic recycling days each year. Oil and fuels are recyclable at most auto parts places.
 

"We have a passion to keep as many materials out of landfills as possible," said Behrman. "With everyone's cooperation, we can contribute to a better overall environmental condition."
 

What happens to the materials which are recycled? When paper is recycled, it can become many different things, from newspaper and egg cartons to phone books and kitty litter. Cardboard can become paper bags and cardboard boxes. Aluminum and tin cans become cans, aluminum foil, bicycle and car parts, steel beams and rebar, and household appliances.

 

Glass can become bottles, jars, bricks, paved surfaces and sports turf. Plastic can become many things from buckets, toys, outdoor play sets, or milk jugs to carpet and clothing.