Friday, Feb. 24, 2006
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Environmental talks trash to base residents By JO2 Peter Lawlor, Naval Media Center, GTMO
The Guantanamo Bay Environmental Department has reported an increase of hazardous materials and recyclables turning up at the base landfill. Hazardous household waste items that should be recycled or properly disposed as hazardous waste include flashlight batteries, aerosol cans, cleaning solvents, and paint. Used items that are not past their shelf life should be turned into the HAZMAT Center for reissuing at no cost to the next user. “Recyclable materials like plastic laundry detergent bottles that could be processed and shipped off for reuse are also being dumped into the landfill taking up valuable space,” said Fred Burns, Environmental Director for Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. With only 30 square miles of land available for use, GTMO cannot afford to waste such a precious commodity unnecessarily for garbage. Burns said not having a lot of land is not our only issue.
“We also do not have the equipment to process garbage as efficiently as waste facilities in the United States so it is imperative that residents recycle whenever possible to reduce the amount of trash in our landfill.” Burns said, “Essentially what we’re doing is creating a problem 10, 20, 50 years from now. We need to take measures now to reduce or eliminate the amount of HAZMAT and recyclables in our landfill so when new, more stringent Navy environmental regulations are released, GTMO’s landfill be in
compliance. The Environmental Department supplies GTMO residents with plenty of information and ways to recycle. There is glass, aluminum, and plastic beverage containers posted next to most garbage cans. Each household is issued two blue recycle bins which can be placed on the curb every week and can be used for most household recyclables. Bigger recyclable items such as tires and televisions can also be placed on the curb for pick up. Burns said if we all take a little extra time to properly sort our trash, not only will we be helping to save the environment and the Earth’s resources, we’ll also be saving the Navy’s resources. By recycling, GTMO can reduce the costs incurred with removing waste materials and actually make money selling raw materials like plastics and metals for reuse by manufacturers. Less money being spent on trash removal can translate into
more money being spent on base improvements or other quality of life issues. All housing residents are given a copy of the Environmental Department’s Residential and Household Recycling and Trash Disposal Guidelines upon arrival. Burns said everyone should have a copy of the form because it breaks down HAZMAT do's and don'ts in GTMO. It also gives people contact numbers in case they have any questions. Residential and Household Recycling and Trash Disposal Guidelines forms can be obtained at the Environmental Office, the Housing Office, the Fleet and Family Support Center and the entrance to the NEX. Residents with questions can contact the Environmental Department x4662 or x4380, (Bldg 752), HAZWASTE Operations x4994 (Bldg 850), HAZMAT Center x4608 (Bldg 188), or Recycling Center x4376 (Bldg 1751).
Commands challenged to get 'crews into shape' By Hugh Cox, Navy Environmental Health Center Public Affairs
PORTSMOUTH, Va (NNS) — Interested teams have until Feb. 28 to register for the Navy Environmental Health Center’s (NEHC) sixth annual “Crews Into Shape” challenge that will run March 6-31. The goal of Crews Into Shape is to help foster a culture of fitness in the Navy and Marine Corps. Additionally, the challenge helps to spark and guide workplace-focused, team-oriented physical activity and improved nutrition (fruit and vegetable intake and fluid intake) among active-duty Sailors and Marines, civilian workers and family members. “Crews Into Shape” positively affects health-related behavior,” said Bob MacDonald, Crews Into Shape Program coordinator and health educator with NEHC. “In 2005, 1,700 people registered. Of the participants who completed the post-challenge questionnaire, 50 percent said they met
their weight-loss or weight-gain goal, and an overwhelming majority agreed or strongly agreed that the Crews' challenge helped them improve their daily habits regarding exercise (74 percent), fruit and vegetable intake (86 percent), and water intake (86 percent). In fact, popularity for the challenge has expanded beyond Navy and Marine Corps to
include U.S. Coast Guard teams, as well.” Team activities should include exercise, a “five-a-day” regiment of fruits and vegetables, and plenty of fluid consumption. The NEHC Crews Into Shape Web site provides ideas for satisfying these activities, along with menu suggestions for each meal. Crew leaders receive frequent “Crews Notes” during the campaign to encourage their crew members. Forms necessary for participating in the challenge, as well as the post-challenge questionnaire, are Web-based and are available on the NEHC website at www-nehc. med.navy.mil/hp/Crews_Into_shape/ index.htm. Crew names and locations are posted on the Web and visitors to the site are invited to vote for the “Crewsinest 2006 Crew” name.
