ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) is starting the New Year in full swing, beginning with the recognition from the Tennessee Recycling Coalition (TRC) for its recycling efforts. 

In her award notification to AEDC, Gail Randolph, chair for the TRC Awards stated, "The men and women at AEDC provide an outstanding service to our nation in testing for our future air and space systems and supporting the war on terror. While accomplishing that mission, the facility strides to set the example in reducing, reusing and recycling our valuable resources."

The center will receive the Government Recycler of the Year award Jan. 18 from the TRC during their annual conference held in Franklin, Tenn. The award is in recognition of significant waste diversions achieved from October 2006 through September 2007. 

"This award recognizes AEDC for our commitment as stewards of the environment and the people on base who make the program a success," said Lt. Col. Paul Schantz, 704th Civil Engineering Squadron commander.  "People at all levels at Arnold Air Force Base are dedicated to recycling and pollution prevention, and this award emphasizes the results of Team AEDC's commitment." 

According to Frank Duncan, Air Force Environmental Quality Program manager, 47.1 percent of all non-hazardous solid waste was diverted to recycling activities. This included 2,149 tons of construction and demolition materials, 2,039 tons of scrap metal, 244 tons of paper and cardboard, and 147 tons of other materials. 

In addition, for municipal solid waste, which consists of scrap metal, paper and cardboard and other materials, 76.1 percent was recycled. 

"This was achieved through source segregation where paper, cardboard and scrap metal were collected in bins distributed across the facility," said John Daniels, Air Force Services Recycling program manager. "The materials from full bins where transported to central locations to be sold to recyclers." 

Significant strides were also made in reducing the amount of hazardous waste generated from a high in 1991 of more than 250 tons to 38 tons in fiscal year 2007. This represents an 85 percent reduction in the generation of hazardous waste. Petroleum and hazardous materials recycling efforts included 58 tons of used oil, 75 tons of glycol and seven tons of tires. 

In addition, as part of the decommissioning of a major facility, more than 114 tons of Trichloroethylene was collected and provided to a vendor who in turn would re-sell it as a usable product. 

Furthermore, 32.2 percent of all Construction and Demolition (C&D) materials were diverted. Scrap metal and wood were segregated prior to landfill disposal. Concrete and other masonry materials were diverted to be used as fill material in support of construction projects across the base. 

"We have a number of bins for recyclable materials spread out across the base, which help to make our program such a success," Colonel Schantz said.

As part of the annual America Recycles Day campaign, environmentalists created a multimedia presentation to promote recycling awareness at AEDC. Information was also made available to the base population concerning recycling opportunities in the surrounding communities. 

While significant achievements were accomplished, higher achievement is also pursued on a continuous basis. 

Duncan indicated that, as part of the overall Environmental Management System, program elements have undergone process improvement evaluations during the last fiscal year. 

"For example, an evaluation of the C&D landfill resulted in record keeping  improvements, which captured actual diversion rates of more than 50 percent versus the less than 3 percent measured in the first quarter of the fiscal year," he said. "Other evaluations have resulted in a greater understanding of cost factors and have provided the understanding of how greater recycling rates can be accomplished while reducing program costs."