Aviation Nation: A recycling success Published Nov. 15, 2011 By Nesley Orochena 99th Civil Engineer Squadron NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Nellis recycling efforts were highly visible to all Aviation Nation attendees Nov. 12-13, 2011, on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The 99th Civil Engineer Squadron Environmental Section worked with the 99th Force Support Squadron Marketing Office and the 99 CES Operations Flight to situate 20 recycling containers, which resembled a large plastic bottle, strategically throughout the Nellis flightline. The containers enabled the Open House spectators to recycle plastic and aluminum bottles with ease throughout the practice day Nov. 11, 2011, and over the Aviation Nation weekend. The benefits reaped from this one recycling effort were substantial, but that was not the sole recycling program in effect. The 99 CES Environmental Section also set up a booth during the practice day and handed out recycling goodies to hundreds of children. The CES personnel educated the children and their parents about Nellis and Creech recycling programs. The CES personnel explained that recycling is good for the environment because it diverts solid waste from landfills. The president has mandated that federal agencies divert 50 percent of their solid waste by 2015, which Nellis has already accomplished during the past five years thanks to the many efforts of the base senior leadership, the 99 CES Environmental Section and base personnel. The proceeds resulting from the Nellis, Creech, and Nevada Test and Training Range recycling programs have already amounted to thousands of dollars. Those funds are returned to the community by enhancing parks, providing discounted recreational activities to military families or providing environmentally friendly equipment to further promote awareness. In addition, organizations have an opportunity to receive "free" pollution prevention projects from 99 CES Environmental Section to reduce waste. The 99 CES personnel also told the children and parents about Nellis' involvement with local organizations to optimize Christmas tree recycling throughout the valley. The Christmas tree recycling committee is chaired by the Conservation District of Southern Nevada with more than 20 local organizations as committee members who have helped recycle approximately 100,000 trees since 2001. This is equivalent to over 12,600 cubic yards of solid waste diversion. Nellis depends on its base community to transport Christmas trees to the Recycling Center, located in Building 461. The Recycling Center is open 24 hours for drop-off purposes from Dec. 26, 2011, to Jan. 15, 2012. Off-base personnel have the option to drop their trees off at their nearest recycling drop-off location or bring their trees to Nellis for turn-in. The information for the drop-off locations is available at http://www.cdsn.org/christmastreerecycling.html. For more information about Nellis recycling efforts and programs, contact Nesley Orochena at 702-652-3035.
