An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Money in the can

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Since its start in 2007, the recycling program at the "The Rock" has played a huge part in funding quality of life and boosting morale for the Airmen throughout the base.

In the past year, more than $80,000 in revenue was generated through the program and returned to different functions that prove beneficial to base residents.

This program utilizes several 386th Air Expeditionary Wing squadrons.

The 386th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron oversees the contract built between themselves and the third country nationals. They are also responsible for collecting the monthly earnings.

"We negotiated the initial contract, administered it, and now play the role of liaison between the contractor and our base," said 1st Lt. Jessica Barbee, 386th ECS construction flight chief. "The mission of this contract ensures that we have a small footprint. We want to show our host nation that we care about the impact we have here and want to leave it better than when we came."

The 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron maintains the recycling station on base and managers its workers.

"Everyone on the base is part of the recycling process, but at least five to ten guys pick up the actual recyclables from the dumpsters," said Mr. Cecil Irby, 386th ECES environmental program manager. "They collect about one and half metric tons in water bottles and a little more in cardboard a month."

Nearly three dozen recycle bins are posted throughout the base that advertise for the recycling of cardboard, plastic and aluminum. These bins are checked on a daily basis and collected when full.

Ink cartridges are also a collectable item.

The contractors who keep the program running are allotted 40 percent of the income. The other 60 percent is returned into the program and used for MWR events.

The 386th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron allocates where the funds are used.

"The money we get back from the program gets put into our NAF or Non Appropriated Funds pool of money," said 2nd Lt. Zachariah Gonyea, 386th EFSS community service flight commander. "The EFSS uses that pool of money to then fund our promotions, major events such as Rock Fest and our games at the Drop Zone. Close to 90 percent of the gift card prizes awarded at the Drop Zone and at Fitness Center events are paid for by NAF money and the money gained from the recycling program."

Although sometimes it may seem pointless or maybe even a hassle, recycling is important - not only for making the footprint smaller, but also making life better at the Rock.