New procedures to simplify Hanscom recycling Published July 13, 2009 By Rhonda Siciliano 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Recycling will soon become a simpler process for Hanscom personnel as the base prepares to convert to a new single stream process on August 1. Recent changes in Massachusetts recycling processes now make it possible for Hanscom to switch to "single stream" recycling. Recyclable materials that previously had to be separated at the points of generation can soon be placed in single stream recycling containers for pickup and processing by Hanscom's solid waste and recycling contractor, Waste Management, Inc. Under the new system, recyclables such as corrugated cardboard, office paper (base policy requires that it must still be shredded), brown paper bags, plastic, glass, metal bottles and cans, magazines, newspapers and mixed paper that previously had to be placed in individual containers and taken to the Transfer Station or placed in designated cardboard dumpsters for recycling will soon be mixed together at the points of generation and placed in designated dumpsters throughout the base for collection and processing. "The only things not allowed in the recycling stream are Styrofoam, food waste, and plastic bags since they wreak havoc on the recycling facility process," said Mike Marr, Hanscom Recycling Point of Contact. The new recycling program will be in place on August 1. Sixteen new green dumpsters will be provided by Waste Management in the vicinity of buildings 1102D, 1105B, 1138, 1305, 1425, 1534, 1607, 1624, 1639, 1813, 1726, 1900, 1630, 1606 and 1614. Hanscom personnel can view a location plan on the base "X" Drive at 66CES/Recycling Plan. Anyone on the base proper, excluding housing, can place allowed base-generated recycling materials in any one of these specially marked dumpsters. Waste Management will provide stickers for existing white paper recycling containers for buildings that will now be used for single stream recycling. In addition to the dumpsters, roll-off containers will continue to be available at Hanscom's Transfer Station for building occupants, excluding housing, for such things as recyclable materials and bulkier items like wooden pallets, metal objects and cardboard. "This new program should provide Hanscom with the opportunity to greatly increase the amount of materials that are processed for recycling rather than incinerated with other solid waste," Mr. Marr said. Participation in the program is on a voluntary basis. All recycling materials collected at an individual's desk or the labeled bins in the buildings will need to be hand-carried to one of the green dumpsters. "The program will only be as effective as you make it," Mr. Marr said. "It's the right thing to do for the environment and should help drive down the cost of recycling materials which has weakened the recycling market." For questions or additional information contact Michael Marr at (781) 377-7958.