Tinker Air Force Base

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Waste Reduction

Industry: Government Agency-Includes Military

Wastes Reduced: Plastics

Substance: Water, Plastics

Equipment: Robotic Systems

Location: Midwest City OK

No. of employees: 20000

Description:

Home of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center (OC-ALC). The base is a heavily industrialized and urbanized facility of 761 buildings, covers 5,000 acres and is the largest single employer in the state. TAFB provides worldwide technical logistics support to Air Force weapons systems. OC-ALC performs depot level maintenance on more than 110 aircraft and more than 1,100 engines from 11 major commands annually.

P2 Application:

The environmental management team at TAFB has established a goal of "zero discharge" of hazardous chemicals by 2000. Partnerships with state and federal agencies, private industry and academia are helping to achieve this goal. Improvements have been noted in the following areas: Process modifications/changes (cleaning, depainting, electroplating, metal stripping, robotics, etc.); Materials procurement and management; Solid waste management; Evaluation of alternative products, processes and technologies; Employee training and management.

Environmental Benefits:

ODCs reduced 96% (290 tons). Implementation of robotic systems eliminated: 1,500 lbs chromium from plating process; 500 tons hazardous waste; 140,000 lbs methylene chloride; conserving 8.33 million gallons of waste water annually. Diversion of 6,000 tons of solid waste from landfills through recycling. 34 tons of emissions.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

Reduction of $1.2 million in hazardous waste disposal costs. Savings of $2,500 annually from renewal energy program.

Source: ODEQ