Saving the world one recyclable at a time

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  

Thousands of pounds of plastic, mixed paper, cardboard and scrap metal are recycled at RAF Lakenheath each year.

The 48th Fighter Wing Recycling Center is on a mission to save the world one recyclable at a time.

"I'm just trying to save the Earth, that's all. I know it sounds silly, but all this isn't for me. It's for our children," said Robert Cooper, 48th Civil Engineer Squadron recycling technician. "We need to make sure our children know the right way to recycle. The goal is to make things brighter for the future."

The reusable materials are picked up throughout the week and dropped off by base residents at the center. Then the recyclables are baled and shipped to different companies where the materials are broken down for reuse.

"My favorite part of the job is actually getting in with the guys and sorting through all the material we have received from around the base and making sure it gets baled," said Staff Sgt. Anthony Santiago, 48th CES recycling center line manager.

This process is not only environmentally responsible; it's profitable, said Santiago.
According to Santiago, the recycling center earns more than $150,000 a year using materials that would otherwise be thrown in the trash.

Recycling saves resources and cuts down on waste costs for the Air Force, but even with the thousands of pounds of recycling RAF Lakenheath processes, more people could do their part by not throwing away recyclable materials, said Santiago.

According to Santiago, the more people that hear about the civil engineer recycling center, the better, as it means reusable items are less likely to be wasted and thrown away as trash.

The recycling center processes up to ten percent of all recyclables on RAFs Lakenheath and Feltwell; leaving 90 percent of potentially reusable material in the trash.

"All this trash goes in to landfills and fills up our Earth, so anything we can recycle is a good thing," said Cooper.

Santiago said he never used to recycle before he became the recycling centers line manager.

"Now I personally like to get the word out so other people will recycle," said Santiago.
During Earth week, April 17-24, children from on-base schools are slated to tour the recycling center and learn the do's and don'ts of recycling.

"I definitely believe it is best to teach children about the importance of recycling at a young age," said Santiago. "Kids are learning so many things that if they take this on and use it as they grow up, I believe in the future the world will be a better place."