Steel drums now included in AEDC’s recycling efforts

  • Published
  • By Deidre Ortiz
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  Being an environmentally friendly complex has long been a priority to Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC), with leadership and employees out in the field constantly looking for new ways to reduce the base's carbon footprint.

Recently, the Air Force Services team at Arnold AFB started including steel drums as part of its recycling program.

In just a year's time, hundreds of the steel drums containing petroleum, oil or lubricant (POL) products pass through AEDC.

According to Kraig Smith with Aerospace Testing Alliance (ATA) Environmental Quality, POL products are used in many different systems throughout the complex, and over time the drums accumulate, taking up valuable space.

To counter this, a hydraulic drum crusher has been set up at AEDC's Oil Recycling Facility.

"Each drum is reduced down to approximately 6-inches in height," Smith said. "The crushed metal is then sent out as scrap."

Several facilities on base are already taking part in the Air Force Service's recycling operation for steel drums.

In order to accommodate the recycling operation, a set of guidelines have been established on how to prepare POL drums for recycling. For example, prior to turning in a drum for recycling, the drum must be drained free of liquids. All empty drums should be staged on their sides to prevent rain water from accumulating in them.

Empty open-top drums that are beyond their service life, such as ones that are rusty or dented, may also be sent for recycling. Empty bung-top drums should be POL only and steel only.

Plastic drums and drums containing liquids other than POLs should not be sent for recycling by Services, as they may contain hazardous residue. There is a separate procedure for discarding these types of drums.

Drums should no longer be taken to building 1422, since that area has been repurposed for other uses. Steel drums should be taken to building 1461 yard area, where they will be stored on their sides.

AF Services can also schedule pick-ups. Call the Recycling Center at 454-6068 to make arrangements.