By Jennifer Powell-Hager
Special to GUIDON

Fort Leonard Wood’s command policy on waste reduction and recycling at Fort Leonard Wood states “Everyone will reduce, reuse, and recycle as a way of life to ensure a clean, safe and healthy environment.” In order to encourage good recycling habits, Fort Leonard Wood recognizes one individual, team, military unit or civilian activity each quarter with the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Achievement in Recycling Award. Each quarter, the award is presented to the winning activity at the Fort Leonard Wood Appreciation of Excellence Ceremony.  

Many of the items that we use in our day-to-day functions on post can easily be recycled. For example, cardboard, office paper, newspaper, aluminum and type 1 and 2 plastics are easily recycled.

Recycling not only keeps materials out of landfills, but also helps reduce energy needs and cuts pollution. It takes 75 percent less energy to recycle cardboard rather than producing new cardboard from virgin pulp. The cardboard recycling process also decreases the amount of emissions of sulfur dioxide produced by making pulp from trees. Recycling just one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a television for three hours. Small efforts can make significant impacts on the health of our environment.

Locally, the entire Fort Leonard Wood Community can enjoy the economic benefits of recycling. Major portions of the funds generated from the sale of recyclable materials are used to help support Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation projects and activities. Recycling funds helped to build the mini golf course, splash pool, and will help to fund the new addition to the bowling alley. We can also see our recycling dollars at work during the 4th of July fireworks display on Gammon Field.           

Nominees for the award will be judged based on resourcefulness in reusing, reducing, rethinking, repurposing, and recycling, known as the 5 Rs.  The window for submission of self-nominations is July 1 through 14. Visit the Fort Leonard Wood Environmental Division website at www.wood.army.mil/dpwenv for entry forms and more details on how a winner is selected.  

Show your community that you are serious about recycling by making it a part of your daily activities in your organization.  

(Editor’s note: Powell-Hager writes for the Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division.)