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 2.2.3
Generally, incineration at military bases is appropriate only if
the heat generated can be used effectively at the base. Generating
electricity and selling power are not common practices at military
installations.
2.2.4
Mandatory resource recovery is being tried in many states.
Oregon, New Jersey, and Rhode Island are examples. Most programs are too new
to judge success yet. In states requiring local recycling programs,
installations that use the local landfill may be required to participate in
some manner. Military installations have special monetary incentives for
implementing recycling programs. Details are given in Section 4.3.
2.3
INVOLVEMENT OF BASE PERSONNEL
2.3.1
Landfill Operations. When existing sanitary landfills on
military bases become u
an new sites must be selected or new disposal
options must be considered (e.g., incineration), specific engineering
personnel in the military will be heavily involved. Other base staff become
involved only from an education standpoint. All base personnel must be kept
informed of any new regulations regarding wastes that can no longer be sent to
a landfill or cannot be incinerated. Used motor oil, batteries, tires,
pesticides, and liquid paints are examples of chemicals that shall no longer
be sent to ordinary sanitary landfills. All base personnel must be informed
of these requirements. Also, the base shall provide a central drop-off point
or provide a regular specific collection time for such chemicals. When
sufficient quantities of such wastes have been segregated and properly
containerized, they can be shipped to the Defense Reutilization and Marketing
Office (DRMO) for disposal. Detailed requirements are given in Section 4.5.
2.3.1.1 When military bases dispose of wastes in public landfills,
they abide by the requests of the operator of the landfill. Military
personnel are not usually involved in the decision-making processes associated
with municipal landfills. Presently, interaction with the landfill operators
is infrequent and usually occurs only when there has been an infraction of
accepted disposal practices, e.g., improper bagging of asbestos wastes. In
the future, frequent interactions may be necessary to avoid problems in the
areas of household chemical wastes. Ultimately, each military base remains
responsible for the waste it sends to a landfill. Landfills are inspected by
environmental regulatory agencies; therefore, waste generators must be certain
they are not sending improper materials to disposal facilities.
2.3.2
Resource Recovery. Resource recovery is usually the most visible
waste reduction technique on military bases. The keys to success are
education and simplicity. Base personnel must be educated and convinced of
the worthiness of any recycling effort. Widespread participation demands a
simple method for segregation of wastes. Recyclers will participate if the
effort is simple and there is a reward for them.
2.3.2.1 A very successful approach has been to involve people in
their work place first. Recycling bins are placed so staff can easily drop
off recyclable materials on their way out of a building. As recycling
programs grow and show real benefit to the participants, the participation
rate climbs. A key to the benefits is publicizing how proceeds are spent.
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