Throw it out: 341st CES reinforces, explains wing's recycling policies, procedures Published June 22, 2007 By Don Geertz 341st Civil Engineer Squadron MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The United States recycles 32 percent of its waste, a rate that has almost doubled during the past 15 years, according to the Enviornmental Protection Agency. While recycling has grown in general, recycling of specific materials has grown even more drastically: 50 percent of all paper, 34 percent of all plastic soft drinking bottles, 45 percent of all aluminum cans, 63 percent of all steel packaging and 67 percent of all major appliances are now recycled. For recycling to work, everyone has to participate in each phase of the loop. From government and industry, to organizations, small businesses and people at home, every American can make recycling a part of their daily routine. Below are some ways to get involved: Grass mulching on base Base residents are urged to use a mulching blade on their mower to eliminate bagging of grass clippings. Mulching blades are available at the base self-help store located in building 220 on Flightline Drive. Grass clippings and sod People who must bag their grass clipping or have removed sod to plant a garden, should use the refuse dumpsters provided. If a dumpster is full, place the clippings in another dumpster and not beside the full dumpster or in the recycling dumpster. Aluminum, tin, glass, newspaper and cardboard Recycle aluminum and tin cans, glass, newspapers and cardboard at the Malmstrom AFB Recycle Center located near the car wash, or use the recycling containers provided with most military family housing units. People can also use the City of Great Falls Citizen's Convenience Center, located at 15th Street North and River Road. They are open Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For details, call 454-2279. Metals People are encouraged to recycle metals through Pacific Steel and Recycling. For details, call 727-6222. Unusable appliances Drop-off at the City of Great Falls Citizen's Convenience Center. There is a fee for removal of refrigerants and for disposal. When purchasing new appliances, arrange for the retail business to pick up and dispose of old appliances. Clothing and other useful household items The Airman's Attic, the Salvation Army, the Goodwill and St. Vincent De Paul, which both pick up, are excellent places to sell or donate useful household items. Unusable Furniture and other large items On Malmstrom Air Force Base, call Montana Waste Systems Inc. at 452-7351 before Friday to have them pick up large items from your curbside. People living downtown should call their refuse service provider for curbside pick up. Wood Personnel are encouraged to take Malmstrom-generated wood to the scrap wood pile near the backside of Pow Wow Park. Separate the tree branches that will be chipped for mulch, and the lumber that will be chipped for daily cover material at the county landfill. Much of the wood placed in the on base woodpile is carried off and reused by do-it-yourself enthusiasts, and the rest is chipped twice each year. Everyone is encouraged to take and use all of the wood chips they desire. In a semi-arid region such as central Montana, wood chips help hold soil moisture which reduces water requirements. Additionally, wood chips restrict weed growth and help reduce herbicide use. Using wood chips makes good economic and environmental sense. Do not take sod, grass clippings, leaves or trash to the wood pile or the recycling center. Trash in the recycle bins must be manually removed and this increases the cost of the recycling effort. For more information about the base's recycling program, call the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron at 731-6448 or 731-6163.