RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
A new procedure of baling paper at the Randolph Recycling Center is increasing the center's revenue.
The center began baling June 1 and immediately saw results, Michelle Benavidez, Randolph Recycling Program manager, said.
"Just by baling paper in the past few months, we've increased Randolph's recycling revenue 188 percent," she said in reference to last year.
This is the highest revenue since 2008, Glenn Williams, 902nd Civil Engineer Squadron Qualified Recycling Program manager, said. The center intends to reach 200 percent of last year's revenue by the end of this fiscal year.
The center collects paper from all over base to be shredded and baled for pickup, she said. Once baled, the paper is collected and taken directly to a paper mill, eliminating a "middle-man," to bring more money to Randolph.
Once at the mill, the paper is deinked, processed and made into paper again, Benavidez said.
"So far this year, we have recycled 539,290 pounds of paper," Williams said. "Recycling paper has generated approximately $48,500 so far this fiscal year."
Paper is only one of the many materials collected at the recycling center, but accounts for almost half of the revenue coming out of and back into the center from this new project, he said.
"Every pound of municipal solid waste, or garbage, that leaves the base costs money to transport and dispose of," Williams said. "By recycling more and disposing less we save money."
Williams stresses the need for Randolph to continue making strides to be more environmentally aware by recycling at the proper receptacles.
"You can look in just about any trash can or dumpster on base and find recyclable materials. In many cases a recycling container is within a few feet of the trash can," Williams said. "All I can really suggest is that people take that extra few steps to the recycle container and if they have any question as to whether or not it can be recycled, give us a call. Recycle - it's the right thing to do."
Personal documents for shredding and all other recyclables can be dropped off during regular duty hours, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. For questions, call the Randolph Recycling Center at 652-5606.