Seymour Johnson Air Force Base (AFB), home of the 4th Fighter Wing, hosts
approximately 4,400 military and 1,200 civilian employees who maintain, operate,
or support 92 F-15E Strike Eagles and 10 KC-135 Stratotankers. The primary
mission of the 4th Fighter Wing is to ensure our country's defense bases. The
waste reduction program is a comprehensive effort to address wastes from a diverse
set of activities.
P2 Application:
Green Building
The new F-15E Squadron Operations facility is being constructed under Green
Building specifications. The AFB requires the contractor to divert 75% of
construction waste generated at the site from municipal landfills through recycling.
The building specifications also require that the contractor use recyclable products
in the construction of the building. The building contractor identified cost savings
of $98,113 based on an estimated 2695-ton reduction in construction waste. The
greatest savings were from abandoned concrete that was re-used for riprap, thus
avoiding disposal costs.
Total Cost Savings: $118,000.00
Details of Reductions
2,695.0 - Tons of
Construction debris
Comments: The building contractor identified cost savings
of $98,113 based on an estimated 2695-ton reduction in construction waste. The
greatest savings were from abandoned concrete that was re-used for riprap, thus
avoiding disposal costs
Paint
Comments: Excess paint and paint-related materials (except "industrial use only" materials) from
the AFB are donated to non-profit groups in the community. Waste paint that is
not donated is recycled through Safety Kleen.
Mercury
Comments: Fluorescent bulbs, which contain mercury vapors, are considered hazardous waste.
In 1997, the AFB crushed 11,312 fluorescent bulbs and separated glass pieces from
recovered mercury vapors, thus eliminating the bulbs from the hazardous
waste stream. This effort saved approximately $6000 in 1997 hazardous waste
disposal costs.
20.0 - Pounds of
Fuel spill
Comments: Previously, during JP-8 fuel spill cleanup operations, spilled fuel was removed using
absorbent pads that ere disposed of as hazardous waste. The base purchased an
industrial centrifuge, which effectively and efficiently separates the fuel product from
the absorbent, leaving the pads dry enough for reuse or disposal as a solid waste.
This reduced the total hazardous waste at the base by one third. All offspecification
fuel reclaimed at Seymour Johnson AFB is shipped to Fort Bragg, NC,
for use as fuel in the heat plant, at no cost to the government. The cost of the
centrifuge has been offset by the elimination of hazardous waste disposal costs
associated with the used absorbent pads.
Household wastes
Comments:
America Recycles Day
On the first national "America Recycles Day" in November 1997, the AFB
heightened awareness through a highly publicized contest to challenge military
families to recycle. Random searches were conducted in the family housing and
industrial dumpster areas to determine whether any recyclables were present. If
not, the "owner" received a prize package donated by the local community.
Another aspect of the celebration involved pledges signed by citizens to commit
themselves to recycling and buying recycled goods. The cost for the event was
minimal, but its impact was widespread.
Used Oil
Used oil is collected throughout the base on an as-needed basis. With the "You Call, We Haul" program, a pre-labeled replaced drum is left where used oil is collected from any of the basewide shops. Yearly training is provided to the
approximately 200 accumulation point managers to ensure that they have the
knowledge to comply with storage requirements. In 1997, the used oil was
donated to Auburn University, which received 24,000 gallons from the AFB for
use in their heat plant.
Composting Program
In 1997, 500,000 pounds of yard waste and scrap wood were collected from the
main base and military family housing areas for use as compost. The finished
product is used as a soil additive throughout the base, provided to military family
housing residents at no cost, and sold to off-base buyers.
School Partnering
Base Environmental Flight personnel participated in "Family Science Night", and
shared recycling ideas with kindergartners through eighth graders and their parents.
A fascinating evening, students and parents alike took an interest in practical
solutions to environmental resource reuse and recycling.
Bioremediation Site
An ongoing initiative to combat the high volume and cost of petroleumcontaminated
soil disposal is continuing at the bioremediation site. A windrow
and turning process constructed for the natural treatment of petroleumcontaminated
soil combines locally acquired turkey manure with the contaminated
soils, encouraging the stimulation of microbes that break down the hydrocarbon
products. The site is permitted by the State, regularly inspected, and has a flawless
record for safety.
$61,000/year in
saved tipping fees;
$40,000/year in
revenue
Payback: 1 year
Additional Information :
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base was recognized for Outstanding Achievement in
the Federal Government Category of the 1997 Governors Award for Excellence in
Waste Reduction competition.
