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What’s happening with Tinker’s recycling program?

  • Published
  • By Brion Ockenfels
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., --  Tinker officials are restructuring the base recycling program in effort to keep the program viable. The changes occurred on April 20 when the Tinker Recycling Center discontinued the collection of plastic and glass items. To facilitate this change, five drop-off recycling trailers located across base were removed from service. This change was made as a cost saving measure. The plastic and glass items brought in no revenue and were very labor intensive to collect and process.

"Not changing is the curbside recycling pickup for base residents," said Randy Joiner, recycling center operations manager. "Curbside recycling will continue as scheduled."

Also not changing are the mixed paper drop-offs at the Green/Yellow Abitibi dumpsters located around the base.

The Recycling Center will continue to collect cardboard, white paper, aluminum cans, tin cans, and metal Mr. Joiner said.

If the market conditions improve, Tinker officials will reconsider the collection and recycling of plastic and glass.

Nationwide the slump in revenue generating funds in the recycling markets are making it a challenge to keep recycling programs viable.

"We want people on base to know about these changes," said Mr. Joiner, "but more importantly we want them to know how to recycle on Tinker. "

To help people understand what is recyclable Mr. Joiner's team has an informative web site where people can find information about Tinkers' recycling program at http://www.tinkerservices.com/pages/recycling_main.

According to "Recycloman," if you have the right attitude, you can take care of the planet while exercising your environmental muscles when you recycle.

Tinker's Recycling Center is located north of the Gott Gate and the drop-off is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Materials accepted include aluminum beverage cans, tin cans, cardboard, newspaper and computer paper.

For white paper pick-up in work centers, the recycling center staff will pick it up for you. To participate in white paper recycling or to schedule a pick-up, call 739-3610 or 739-5377. For more information about Tinker's recycling program, visit www.tinker.af.mil.

For base residents, used motor oil, antifreeze, filters, paints, pesticides, fertilizers and other household hazardous waste items can be turned into Oklahoma City's Household Hazardous Waste Collection site located at 3738 SW 15th Street. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays.

The center is free to Oklahoma City residents. If you live on Tinker, an active duty military identification card in lieu of an Oklahoma City water bill will allow you to use the service. For more information, call 682-7038 or log on to www.okc.gov.

The Oklahoma City facility also takes e-waste, broken or unwanted computer screens, keyboards, CPU's and printers. To learn about How to Recycle in Oklahoma City if you live there: http://www.okc.gov/ch_20/CC20Programs/Recycloman.wmv.

To learn about How to Recycle Midwest City if you live there: Call 869-1451