Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C./ERR -- Over the past decade, census statistics have shown that the population in the United States has risen from 248 million in 1990, to 281 million in 2000. Along with the increase in population comes the increase in solid waste or trash disposal. Many of our nation?s land fills are nearing full capacity at an alarming rate. Thus, comes the need for recycling.
By recycling items such as paper products and scrap metal, not only do we save precious landfill space, we also save some of the natural resources from which these items are made. Also, we save money by avoiding disposal costs.
The Department of Defense has taken a stance of ?lead by example? and has placed a mandated directive on all of its installations to reduce the amount of solid waste generated by 40 percent by the year 2005.
To achieve this goal the Depot Recycling staff needs the participation of all Depot organizations. Units are encouraged to continue using the recycle bins aboard the Depot, paying particular attention to items placed in the bins.
Individuals can also help attain this goal by placing recyclable items like cardboard boxes in the bins that they normally dispose of in the garbage dumpsters. If units have large amounts of cardboard, they can call the Recycling Center for them to be picked up.
Parris Island prides itself on being a model installation when it comes to environmental stewardship, winning many prestigious environmental excellence awards.
The Depot Recycling staff is dedicated to providing the best and most efficient recycling services to the various Depot organizations. The Recycle Center staff provides multi-style bins in office spaces for the collection of waste paper, and makes special request collections such as providing enclosed trailers for the collection of cardboard during new furniture installments.
Parris Island?s recycling initiatives resulted in the collection and processing of 1.4 million pounds of cardboard and over 200,000 pounds of used office paper during Fiscal Year 2002. The Recycle Center also collects steel and aluminum cans, wood pallets, textiles, fluorescent light bulbs, used cartridge toners, CD?s, lead acid batteries, and scrap metal.
In recognition of America Recycles Day, the Recycle Center and Facilities Maintenance is offering a large quantity of double ground mulch at the housing warehouse. This mulch is free of charge to all Depot residents, permanent personnel, and civilian employees.
Any questions concerning the mulch or recycling should be directed to Mr. Brad Woods at 228-3430.