Recycling
Recycling is the process of separating, collecting and remanufacturing or converting used or waste products into new materials. Recycling helps extend the life and usefulness of things that have already served their initial purpose, which ultimately reduces the amount of waste we generate. Some of the benefits associated with waste reduction include saving money, conserving resources, reducing pollution, and saving landfill space, all of which support sustainability. As a result, Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield (FS/HAAF) along with all Federal installations must divert/prevent 60 percent of waste from entering a landfill. One of the easiest ways to reach this goal is for everyone living or working on the Installation to recycle at home and at work.
FS/HAAF’s Recycling Program strives to make recycling as easy as possible for those living and working on the Installation. Throughout the Installation, blue recycling containers are provided to collect recyclable materials. There are also blue recycling dumpsters next to all brown trash dumpsters as well as 24-hour Recycling Convenience Centers located at various locations on Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield. All recyclable materials may be placed in recycling containers and are not required to be sorted beforehand. However, all paper products must be placed inside a separate plastic bag with the top securely tied before being put in a container with other recyclable items.
Don't throw away anything that can be recycled! Here is a list of things you should always recycle (or reuse!)...
24-Hour Recycling Convenience Centers:
There are 24-hour recycling convenience centers located on both Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield. These are available for anyone living on or off post.
Fort Stewart Convenience Center Locations:
- PX Parking Lot (Building 71)
- McFarland Avenue/Sigma Street Intersection
Hunter Army Airfield Convenience Center Locations:
- PX Parking Lot (Building 6020)
- MacArthur Circle (Building 610)
Please bring all scrap metal, personal electronics, and printer ink cartridges to the Recycling Scrap Metal Yard (Building 1143) on Italy Street on Fort Stewart or on Wesley Avenue [Building 727 (off North Perimeter Road)] at Hunter Army Airfield. Hours of operation for both facilities are Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Training:
Under the FS/HAAF Recycling Program Standard Operating Procedures, signed in 2015, all Military Units, Installation activities, tenant organizations, and contractors must appoint a Recycling Compliance Person (RCP). RCP courses are held in the Forestry Classroom (Building 8065) on Highway 144. For more information please call (912) 767-6573 or 767-1379 or 767-2188.
RCP Course Dates for Fiscal Year 16
- 28 OCT 15
- 25 NOV 15
- 16 DEC 15
- 27 JAN 16
- 24 FEB 16
- 30 MAR 16
- 27 APR 16
- 25 MAY 16
- 29 JUN 16
- 27 JUL 16
- 31 AUG 16
- 28 SEP 16
Documents
Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Command Sustainability Policy Letter #30
What Can Be Recycled/How to Recycle
Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Recycling Program Brochure
Q: Is recycling mandatory on Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield? A: Yes. Recycling is mandatory and enforced by the Command Policy letter.
Q: How do I recycle papers that have Personally Identifiable Information (PII)? A: Take your PII to the Fort Stewart Recycling Processing Center, located off Wilson Avenue on Kilpatrick Road. No appointment is required. Positive security control will be maintained until the PII is destroyed.
Q: I generate files that have to be held 3 years before they can be destroyed. Each year I have numerous file boxes that I have to dispose of and it is too much to shred. How can I get rid of these documents and still protect the information? A: Contact the Recycling Program at (912) 767-6573 or 767-1379 or 767-2188, and we will assist you with proper disposal of these items.
Q: Who do I call if I have a question regarding overflowing, unsightly, or general dumpster collection? A: Call (912) 767-3526 or (912) 228-7367.
Q: What does commingled mean? A: It means that you can place almost all types of solid recyclable items (i.e. cardboard, plastics, metal, cans, & glass) mixed together in the same blue recycling container. The only exception is paper. All paper products should be placed in a plastic bag with the top tied closed before being placed in a blue recycle container.
Q: Why does paper need to be separated from the other recyclables before it is recycled? A: There are several reasons for this, one of which is to keep the paper products from becoming contaminated with liquids from beverage/food containers in the recycling dumpster or collection vehicle. Contaminated paper can introduce impurities and bacteria to other paper products, which will decrease market value. Paper can also easily blow away. Please place all paper products in a plastic bag with the top tied closed before placing it inside a blue container for collection.
Q: What is considered contamination in the recycling containers? A: This is when unacceptable material is placed in recycling containers or bins. For example, grass clippings or trash mixed with recyclables would be a type of recycling contamination. Another example of contaminated recyclables would be a paper plate that has been used and is saturated with food waste.
Q: Can I recycle my old car battery? A: No. Automobile batteries are a hazardous waste and must not be disposed of in a recycling container/dumpster, trash bin/dumpster, or at a landfill. Please turn your old battery in to the vendor where you purchased your new battery. If you have an old automobile battery that you need to dispose of that cannot be turned in to a retailer, call the Recycling Program at (912) 767-6573/1379/2188 for assistance.
Q: What do I do with old tires from my Personally Owned Vehicle (POV)? A: When purchasing new tires, the dealer charges a $2.00 disposal fee for each tire. The customer should leave their old tires with the dealer for disposal. If you have old tires that need to be disposed of, call the Recycling Program at (912) 767-6573/1379/2188 for assistance. Tires are prohibited in dumpsters and in the landfill.
Q: What do I do with my scrap metal and wooden pallets? A: All scrap metal and wooden pallets generated at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield must be taken to the Recycling Scrap Metal Yard (Building 1143) on Italy Street on Fort Stewart or on Wesley Avenue [Building 727 (off North Perimeter Road)] at Hunter Army Airfield.
Q: Isn’t used motor oil recyclable? Why can’t I put it in the blue recycling dumpsters? A: Yes, while used motor oil is a recyclable material, blue dumpsters are NOT the place to put it. The recycling collection truck that services the blue dumpsters compresses its load. So, if you put used oil in a container to be placed in the recycling dumpster, when it is picked up by the truck it will drip out all over the load and can cause oil to leak from the truck all the way to the Fort Stewart Processing Station. Recycle used oil at the Automotive Skill Centers where you change your oil. Both the Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield centers have a tank for the collection of used motor oil. Also, used motor oil can be taken to any number of auto parts stores for collection at no charge. As a reminder, changing engine oil in Family Housing is not authorized.
Q: What do I do with my oil after deep frying my Thanksgiving Turkey/Fish Fry? Can I put it in the blue recycling dumpsters? A: No. While recyclable, like automotive oil, blue dumpsters are NOT the place to put it. The recycling collection truck that services the blue dumpsters compresses its load. So, if you put used oil of any kind in a container to be placed in the recycling dumpster, when it is picked up by the truck it will drip out all over the load and can cause oil to leak from the truck all the way to the Fort Stewart Processing Station. First, you must be very careful handling oil from your deep fat fryer or skillet. Oil must be cooled down to room temperature before trying to handle it. Once cooled down, its condition determines whether the material can be accepted at the Fort Stewart Processing Station.
If it is still liquid, safely pour it back in the container you got it from. DPW Environmental collects used cooking oil during Fall and Spring Cleanup events. Look for advertisements in The Frontline and Marne Message or call 912-767-2010 for dates/times of collection events.
If it turns to a jelly-like (gelatinous) consistency, the material cannot be recycled. Scoop it out of your fryer or skillet into a can. Wipe the container with a paper towel to remove as much of the residue as possible before trying to clean the fryer/skillet to keep the sink’s drain pipe clear of grease and avoid a sewage backup! Deposit the gelatinous grease in your brown trash collection container. Don’t pour grease down the drain!