America Recycles Day Published Nov. 17, 2009 By 60th Civil Engineer Squadron 60th Civil Engineer Squadron TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Travis Air Force Base will join thousands of recyclers from across the nation in celebrating America Recycles 2009 on Sunday by pledging to recycle and to buy recycled products. 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. At Travis, the main focus is on the benefits of sustaining the environment today for future generations as part of our Environmental Management System. The national theme "It All Comes Back to You" presents multiple meanings. One interpretation is that a recycled product can return to us, the consumers, as another new product. For example, did you know that the plastic water bottles you recycle are turned into many new products such as rugs, goggles, park benches, fences, tote bags and T-shirts. One good example on base are the recycling centers at the three adult ball fields adjacent to the Sierra Inn dining hall on Burgan Avenue. These recycling centers are made of recycled plastic lumber (milk jugs) and require no maintenance or painting. Other examples are the T-shirts, tote bags and award plaques purchased for our annual recycling contest in April which are made from recycled water bottles, newspapers or tires. Recycling produces many interesting products. For example, glass beverage containers are recycled over and over again, but they can also be used for other things like roads, marbles and decorative tiles. Five Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic soda bottles yield enough fiber for one extra large T-shirt or one square foot of carpet. Steel and aluminum cans are easily recycled for use in other steel and aluminum products such as new cars, bikes and appliances. Recycling them not only conserves mineral resources, but the recycling process also uses about 75 percent less energy than using virgin materials. "Base residents and employees recycle an average of 400 tons each month. Recycled items include cardboard, various paper products, aluminum and metal cans, plastic, glass, green waste, tires, wood, scrap metal, electronic waste, oil and batteries," said Dolores Tiburcio, 60th Civil Engineer Squadron's Asset Management Flight recycling program manager. "Most Team Travis members work hard to recycle and the results are impressive. Thanks to their daily commitment, we are currently exceeding the 40 percent diversion rate established by the Air Force. However, we can continually improve our diversion process." In order to make recycling economically viable, there must be a market for recycled products. If people buy them, companies will be encouraged to make them and the entire system works. This is called "closing the recycling loop," symbolized by the green chasing arrows. This is what America Recycles is all about. Base residents and employees can support America Recycles 2009 and the Travis AFB Green Procurement Program by taking these action steps: -- Pledge to step up your efforts to recycle and buy recycled products. Travis personnel can make pledges online at http://www.americarecyclesday.org/americarecycles.aspx. By making a pledge, you lead by example in your neighborhood and your workplace. Through pledges, the base is helping to raise consumer awareness by purchasing products made from recycled-content materials. To ensure your purchases meet Environmental Protection Agency's requirements for minimum recovered material content, go to http://www.epa.gov/cpg . -- Recycle working or non working electronic waste off base at Solano Recycles, 2901 Industrial Court; turn right on Peabody Road, then right on Industrial Way. You may also recycle your working electronic waste at the base Thrift Store, Bldg. 690. -- Recycle your toner cartridges at the Base Service Store Bldg. 549. When you visit the BSS, check out the shelves with the green chasing arrows guides - they lead to recycled products. For more information about purchasing recycled products available in the BSS, contact Alex Costa at 424-0597. -- Army and Air Force Exchange Service also sells recycled products. Check the labels on the merchandise to determine which products are made from recycled materials. -- Before making Government Purchasing PC purchases, go online to check out these Buy Recycled Websites: o http://www.gsaadvantage.gov/. Type in "recycled content products." o http://www.concepteco.com/ o http://1storesolutions.com For much more information about is recycled at Travis, go online: https://eim.amc.af.mil/org/60ces/assetmanagement/. You may access a user-friendly recycling brochure, the affirmative procurement program (APP) plan and the 60th AMW Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan. If you have questions about our (Green) Affirmative Procurement Program, contact Dolores Tiburcio, 60 Civil Engineer Squadron, at 424-5127 or Michelle Agee-Long, 60 Contracting Squadron at 424-7753.