NSF Garcia Makes Recycling Priority

YOKOSUKA, Japan - Navy Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia is scheduled to begin recycling the majority of its cardboard waste using baling machines recently acquired from the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, Kauai.

Up to 40 tons of recycled cardboard per month will then be shipped off the island and sold to recyclers.

"This baler operation is a big step for Diego Garcia meeting the Department of Defense-mandated 40 percent landfill diversion rate," said Naval Facilities Engineering Command Far East's Diego Garcia Public Works Officer Cmdr. Joe Simpkins.

Previously, cardboard waste was disposed of in fuel-burning incinerators on the island. Using the new baling method, fuel savings and recycling revenue could exceed $20,000 per year.

More importantly for this remote island community, the new bailing method will reduce the amount of solid waste burned in incinerators by about 20 percent will and extend the life of the landfill by up to six years.

The project is being conducted in partnership with a Diego Garcia Base Operations Support contractor, which will install the balers and operate the facility.