Recycling contract implemented at Kirtland

  • Published
  • By Steven Kitt
  • 377th Mission Support Group Solid Waste Program
Kirtland Air Force Base, NM --  While Team Kirtland has been recycling for many years, April marks the beginning of a new era in our recycling program bringing many opportunities. Kirtland Air Force Base will be launching a new Integrated Solid Waste Management contract.

The new contract, awarded to Mark Dunning Industries, will be a great tool to help Team Kirtland improve our recycling diversion as mandated by Executive Order. MDI has experience working with other military installations on their ISWM programs, and has partnered with Team Kirtland to upgrade our refuse and recycling programs to mandated standards. We can't do it alone. We need your help to achieve the goal of 50 percent diversion by 2015.

Beginning April 4, Team Kirtland's recycling program will accept a wider variety of materials. These materials will also be accepted at the existing drop-off location in the northeast parking lot of the base commissary, except for toner cartridges and shredded paper. Corrugated cardboard will continue to be accepted in white dumpsters across the base.

Because the new ISWM contract does not provide services internal to the buildings, all office and shop recycling programs will receive weekly curbside service starting April 4.

This change is necessary to accommodate the increased volume from adding new materials while maintaining collection route efficiency.

Civil Engineering is working with facility managers and recycling points of contact to ensure a smooth transition. Your flexibility and patience during the transition period is appreciated.

To effect these changes, CE has hired a new full-time solid waste and recycling program manager, Katrina Wheelock. She brings a wealth of recycling knowledge and operational experience to our team. Her e-mail is ceanc.recycle@kirtland.af.mil.

A successful Team Kirtland recycling program not only collects lots of recyclable materials, but also benefits you, because supplemental program revenue is used for basewide quality of life initiatives. The best way to ensure success is for everyone to participate. Every wheeled recycling cart will be clearly labeled, showing what is acceptable for recycling in that cart.

Make it your responsibility to know how to recycle in your office or shop. Pay attention to what's being thrown away. There may be more opportunities to divert waste.

If you have questions, ideas, or need assistance in improving recycling in your building, don't hesitate to send us an email. Thanks to your efforts, the new generation of Team Kirtland's recycling program will be flying high in no time.