Background
Regular, non-construction, operations of the Naval District Washington (NDW) generate over twenty-six thousand (26,000) tons of non hazardous solid waste annually. Currently, thirty-one per cent (31%) of this solid waste is recycled. The remaining sixty-nine per cent (69%) is landfilled or incinerated. Recycling waste is the preferred option since resources are conserved, the environment benefits, and disposal costs are reduced. The goal of the NDW Qualified Recycling Program (QRP) is to recycle fifty per cent (50%) of our solid waste annually by 2015.
The NDW QRP was established in fiscal year 2013. A QRP is a reimbursable recycling program that generates revenue to fund its own operations. Under certain circumstances the revenue generated by a QRP can fund Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs or other approved activities. Currently, the NDW QRP is generating about $339,000 in revenue annually. Aside from routine operational expenses, QRP spending is decided by committee. The QRP committee held its first quarterly meeeting in January 2013. The QRP committee represents the entire region. It is comprised of Naval Facilities and Engineering Command (NAVFAC) employees, NDW Comptroller's Office, NDW Public Affairs, as well as, representatives of the Defense Logistics Agency's Disposition Services (DLA DS).
How to Participate
The NDW QRP is a source separated program (except in South Potomac). The recycling categories include: high grade paper, mixed paper, cardboard, print cartridges and bottles & cans. In 2013, the program expanded its scope by replacing the "newspaper" category with "mixed paper". This improvement makes more types of paper acceptable and increases the overall volume collected. Until, the transition is completed all containers still labelled as "newspaper" are considered "mixed paper". See the table below for the paper types now accepted as "mixed paper".
Who Runs the QRP?
In non-housing areas, the NDW recycling collection, transport, processing and marketing are accomplished by contractor, Melwood. Contract oversight is accomplished by Performance Assessment Reviewers (PARs) employed by NAVFAC. PARs oversee the QRP on a local level at all bases in the region. Regional oversight and management of the QRP is carried out by the NAVFAC QRP manager. Environmental oversight including routine audit and annual reporting of performance metrics are performed by NAVFAC Environmental Division. Financial oversight and routine fiscal audits are performed by NDW comptroller. The QRP committee steers overall program direction with ultimate oversight by the Regional Commandante.
Challenges
The NDW QRP is a long way from its goal of fifty per cent (50%) annual recycling. To measure our progress accurately we will need to pull all available data from the field. We are currently missing most of the data on local shredding efforts. Most shredded paper is recycled but because local commands oftentimes hire shredding services independently of the QRP we are still working on getting this all reported.
Another challenge is to bring down the cost per ton of recycling and at the same time to increase the revenue earned from the sale of recycling materials. Both of these efforts can be accomplished through increased participation in the program. The QRP must educate the NDW population about what can be recycled and ensure that the QRP is fully utilized. Afterall, the program is available and it needs everyone's full participation to maximize its financial effectiveness.
Points of Contact
Recycling questions or service concerns at bases within Naval District Washington should be directed to the local contract performance assessment reviewer (PAR). Each installation's PAR can be reached by calling Public Works Department.
The Melwood Recycling Office is 202-610-7213. The Recycling Centers at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Naval Support Activity Annapolis, and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling are open Monday through Friday 0700-1500, except holidays. Each center is willing to accept your materials if you deliver between these hours. See attendant for assistance.
For further assistance or general recycling enquiries, contact the Naval District Washington Qualified Recycling Program Manager,at 202-433-0929.
| Recycling Category | White Paper | Mixed Paper | Shredded Paper | Cardboard | Bottles/Cans | Print Cartridges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | White papers only | May include colored paper, newspaper, magazines, envelopes, paper bags, sticky notes, glossy paper. | Cross Cut shredded paper can be recycled. Leave bags of shredded by recycling boxes or in cardboard tubs for pickup. Note: very finely pulverized paper cannot be recycled at this time. | Cardboard should be broken down. paperboard boxes, like cereal boxes, may be included but inner liner bags and other contents must be removed. If cardboard container not provided, place flattened boxes behind central recycling container. | This category includes any of the following: aluminum cans, tin cans, glass bottles, and plastic bottles. | Leave empty print cartridges in box and place by recycling container for pickup. It is best to write "recycle" on box to eliminate any doubt that it is to be recycled. |
Other Items recycled by the Recycling Program: Books, Batteries, & Scrap Metal.
Your desk top recycling box may not look like this one. It doesn't have to. Any container will do to get your recyclable materials from your desk to central collection location. From the central collection boxes materials are collected by recycling contractor, Melwood.
Naval District Washington's Recycling brochure in PDF is available here. For best results, use 8.5" x 14" paper.
