CAMP SHELBY, Miss. -- 'One man's trash is another man's treasure' is just a cliché when it comes to James Moffett and the Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center's recycling team.
That's because Moffett and the Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (R3) team find reward separating recyclables and placing them in their designated bins.
That reward also comes in the form of receiving an environmental award from the Mississippi Recycle Coalition.
Due to the R3 team's hard work and dedication, the MRC awarded them the 2015 State and Federal Government Recycle of the Year award May 26.
"It's pretty good to receive this award," said Moffett, a materials handler at the recycle center. "It's outstanding knowing that somebody knows that we are going above and beyond the call of duty here."
Each year, MRC seeks nominations of organizations, businesses, agencies, schools, and local governments from around the state that have excelled in their recycling and environmental program efforts.
"Today we are recognizing the great work they are doing here in recycling," said Jennifer Milner, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality state recycling coordinator. "It's an honor because we don't give out these awards lightly. Camp Shelby has definitely set the standard."
Camp Shelby's Recycle Center is part of the Mississippi Army National Guard Qualified Recycle Program. Operating in an 8,000 square foot processing facility that sits on nearly five acres of concrete, the center is designated to receive and process recyclables, such as paper, cardboard, plastic, steel, firing range brass, mixed metals, furniture, appliances, wood pallets and other materials.
"We recycle cardboard, paper, and plastic," said Moffett, who has been working at the recycle center for four years. "We go out in the morning and pick these things up and bale it here. We sell these items to companies after we bale them."
There are many reasons why it's important to recycle and compost, but for Moffett, the importance of recycling is that it's good for the environment.
"It's important to recycle because it keeps stuff out of the landfill and it looks good on the environment," said Moffett. "There are so many people in the Guard that come to Camp Shelby that help us save and make money too."
For nearly 10 years, Moffett has been working in the recycling world. He was introduced to recycling when working for a local business. Now, employed at Camp Shelby's Recycling Center, Moffett describes his work as fun and entertaining. He says you never know what you might see.
"From working in the recycle business in the civilian sector, I enjoy doing what I do; it's just that simple," said Moffett, a resident of Wiggins. "It's fun and exciting to see what's going to come through those gates."
"You don't know what you're going to get," he said. "Last week we turned down a helicopter. We get things ranging from a refrigerator to a bus; so you never know what you're going to get."
Moffett often wonders why more people don't recycle. Whether a civilian or Service member is interested, he said there's no reason not to recycle when there's a recycling center within the local community.
"I try to let people know that you can bring your stuff here to recycle," said Moffett. "We are definitely making an impact on Camp Shelby, but we want to make a better impact on the community. We have a handful of people, mainly retired members, who come and recycle stuff."
Moffett says with a valid driver's license and proof of insurance, anyone can come onto Camp Shelby and bring items to the recycling center to have them properly recycled and turned into useful products. "I think this is an educational tool to help educate the public on why you should recycle," said Milner. "And it sets the standard for young and old. Recycling is important. Not just here, but the entire state."