After reaching an Armywide goal to recycle 40 percent of its waste a year early in 2004, Fort McCoy isn't resting on its laurels. The program is looking at all possible ways to increase the recycling of waste generated at Fort McCoy.

Jim Scorsone (left) and Ken Nolte, VT Griffin employees of the Ammunition Supply Point, use a brass deformer to make ammunition unusable. This material is sold as scrap brass. (Photo by Rob Schuette)

      Michael Miller, Directorate of Support Services (DSS) Environmental Protection specialist, said the post environmental program owes a good portion of its success to the cooperation of the Fort McCoy work force.

      "We're always looking for faster, better and cleaner ways to do business," Miller said. "One of the best things about the programs is the money generated by the program goes back into the program to support recycling."

      Al Balliett, chief of Environmental Services for the Directorate of Support Services, said one of the big money makers for the program is funds generated by the recycling/reuse of scrap metal and brass from expended ammunition or munitions.

      Scrap metal comes from several sources. One source is scrap metal generated by replacing metal parts in Army vehicles, such as work done at the Installation Materiel Maintenance Activity or the Equipment Concentration Site, he said.

      Another source is the removal/renovation of older buildings. Balliett said scrap metal can include copper piping used for water supply.

Walt Edgell (left) and Sam Maki, VT Griffin recycling employees, collect recyclables from the South Post Housing Area recycling collection area. (Photo by Rob Schuette)

      Old range targets that are no longer needed can be recycled for scrap metal. A range cleanup project has provided scrap metal to be recycled, he said.

      Brass from expended ammunition/ munitions used at Fort McCoy also is recycled. Miller said this material is processed through a machine called a brass deformer to make the ammunition nonusable. This material then can be sold as scrap brass.

      Members of the work force and personnel training at Fort McCoy contribute such things as aluminum cans and steel cans, including vegetable containers.

      "All of these items are sold on separate contracts," he said. "The amount we get back depends on the market."

      Sylvia Redschlag, the environmental manager for VT Griffin, which is contracted to provide DSS services, said that the installation's recycling program accepts paper, cans, cardboard, certain types of plastic, glass and toner cartridges.

      "People generally are doing a good job recycling these things," Redschlag said. "We do see some of these items, such as aluminum cans, in the regular waste, so some people may not be aware they can recycle this."

      Redschlag said Fort McCoy's recycling program has several goals, which include: assisting the installation in saving money by reducing solid and hazardous waste disposal costs; maintaining program viability through reinvestment in the Recycle and Waste Minimization Programs; promoting environmental stewardship and providing funding assistance for other energy, conservation, and environmental project implementation for the Fort McCoy community.

      Other items recycled or reused on post include old asphalt, construction debris including that from new construction, wood waste, trees, and stumps.

      The funds generated from the recyclable materials are used to support the disposal or reuse of items that do not make money for the program. Balliett said these items include fluorescent lights, antifreeze, used motor oil, used oil filters, glass, plastic and others.

      Recycling these items saves the cost of disposing them in a landfill. Since the items potentially are dangerous to the environment, it saves the additional costs of disposing items deemed hazardous waste. Some of the items, such as antifreeze and used motor oil, can be recycled and used again in installation vehicles or equipment, he said.

      Personnel looking for a small amount of an item to use also are encouraged to visit the Re-Use-It Store in building 2958. The facility is open from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

      The store features materials, such as paints, lubricants, etc., that have been open or used, but still can be used for other projects.

      A listing of materials available is available at the Fort McCoy Corporate Network, in the Weekly Bulletin, or by calling (608) 388-5915.

      For more information about recycling, call the Recycling Facility, building 2218, at (608) 388-2968.