Centralized trash collection, increased restroom cleaning to be implemented in June Published May 2, 2012 Civil Engineering HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Changes are coming for trash collection and restroom cleaning at Hanscom. Beginning June 1, centralized trash collection will be implemented. At the same time, an increase in restroom cleanings will take place. In 2008, the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff established common Levels of Service standards for the "Big 3" base service contracts: grounds maintenance, custodial and integrated solid waste management -- previously known as refuse collection. "This standardized approach will ensure all Air Force installations receive the same 'level of service' as funding allows," wrote Gen. Duncan McNabb, vice chief of staff, in a May 23, 2008, memorandum about the changes. "These standards were carefully developed to meet mission requirements and provide a clean, professional work place while acknowledging the realities of today's fiscal environment." Additionally, according to Air Force Materiel Command headquarters direction, the "standards are a ceiling, not a floor, and are not waiverable." The changes were to be implemented at contract re-solicitation or the next contract option year. At Hanscom, the grounds maintenance and integrated solid waste management changes have been implemented, and with the award of a new custodial contract, the custodial changes will be effective June 1. According to Tom Schluckebier, base civil engineer, the most noticeable difference will be in trash pickup. "Due to funding constraints, we've had to cut back on our custodial service across the base, so we are currently operating below the standard in every aspect of custodial service with the exception of trash pickup," Schluckebier said. "With the award of a new contract, the custodial contractor will collect trash from a centralized area inside a building or the trash will be deposited directly into a dumpster. Either way, individual trash pickup will be eliminated. "We've coordinated with facility managers to identify centralized areas for each building," he continued. "In some cases, that centralized area will be the nearest dumpster. In other buildings, the facility manager has opted to designate an indoor centralized location which will be serviced on a weekly basis." The contractor will provide centralized barrel liners and office trash can liners to the facility manager as part of their re-stocking activities. Protective gloves will be made available to facility managers at the Self Help store in Building 1834 and CE will provide barrels at the indoor centralized locations. Single stream recycling will be handled the same as trash. Kendall Smith, CE's operations manager, said that implementation of the custodial standard resulted in some monetary savings, which will contribute to increase the frequency of restroom cleaning. "Due to budget shortfalls, the contractor currently cleans restrooms only once per week," he said. "We know from customer feedback that this is the best area to apply the savings while still staying within the standard." As a result, restroom service will increase to twice per week starting in June. "These changes will bring us in line with the rest of the Air Force and enable us to provide better service where our customers say it is needed," said Schluckebier. For further information and details on centralized trash locations, personnel should contact their respective facility managers.