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Managing hazardous waste properly

By Chris Willis, 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs / Published September 01, 2015

Elwood Skipper, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron lead environmental technician, pours hydraulic fluid into a 90-day accumulation tank Aug. 18, 2015, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. The tank is used to store recyclable oil products until recycled through a secondary recycler for re-use. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chris Willis)
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Elwood Skipper, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron lead environmental technician, pours hydraulic fluid into a 90-day accumulation tank Aug. 18, 2015, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. The tank is used to store recyclable oil products until recycled through a secondary recycler for re-use. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chris Willis)

Jeffrey Goodrich, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron environmental technician, numbers a drum of universal waste to prepare it for storage and tracking Aug. 18, 2015, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Federal regulations state that while storing hazardous waste in a 90-day storage facility, each drum should be labeled. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chris Willis)
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Jeffrey Goodrich, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron environmental technician, numbers a drum of universal waste to prepare it for storage and tracking Aug. 18, 2015, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Federal regulations state that while storing hazardous waste in a 90-day storage facility, each drum should be labeled. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chris Willis)

Elwood Skipper, left, and Jeffrey Goodrich, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron environmental technicians, store universal waste batteries in a 90-day storage drum Aug. 18, 2015, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. The shop disposes of approximately 26,000 pounds of hazardous waste each year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chris Willis)
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Elwood Skipper, left, and Jeffrey Goodrich, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron environmental technicians, store universal waste batteries in a 90-day storage drum Aug. 18, 2015, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. The shop disposes of approximately 26,000 pounds of hazardous waste each year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chris Willis)

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MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The mission of the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron's hazardous waste shop at Malmstrom Air Force Base is to provide quality environmental programs that keep the base in compliance with federal, state and Air Force regulations. The shop is here to assist, inspect and manage hazardous waste disposal on the installation.

"If we didn't perform our jobs in hazardous waste correctly, the base and its personnel could get in a lot of trouble," said Elwood Skipper, base lead environmental technician. "The outcome of getting into trouble could be a fine or even jail time."

The hazardous waste shop here at Malmstrom is a small team of five, consisting of contractors and civilians, but they have a big mission.

"Our uniqueness compared to other bases, falls on our transfer storage and disposal facility," said Skipper. "We use our TSDF as a storage location to assist in keeping the cost of disposal down, which allows us to hold waste on the installation longer to make for a cost-effective disposal."

The shop disposes of approximately 26,000 pounds of hazardous waste each year. 

"We manage the installation's universal waste, like lamps and batteries. We also inspect multiple sites for recycled oil, fuel, antifreeze, plastics and cardboard," said Skipper. "We can also perform spill response duties when needed."

Skipper believes that it takes a team effort between the hazardous waste shop and Team Malmstrom to protect the health of the base and local community.

"If you have any questions in your shop or need proper guidance, please do not hesitate to contact us," said Skipper. "Remember that there are no bad questions, only bad decisions. We can and will help you with your waste."

To contact the base hazardous waste shop, call them at 406-731-6163.
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