Recycling for a better tomorrow

  • Published
  • 47th Civil Engineer Squadron
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Recycling can be a significant act of conservation, and there are many resources available to Laughlin personnel to allow recycling of many different materials. It is also important to ensure that items that are not recyclable and hazardous are properly disposed. Some of the avenues for recycling and disposal of waste are discussed below.

The Laughlin Recycling Center, located at Bldg. 2018 on Arkansas. It is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The center provides pick-up at base facilities, allowing customers to drop off recyclables from day to day operations inside the facility and offering access to drop-off bins located outside the center after hours.

The after-hours bins are available for use by anyone who is authorized access to base services. When using the drop-off bins, ensure all containers are free of food and liquid, separate your items and deposit them in the appropriate bins. Leaving your recyclable materials on the ground is prohibited. This will ensure that those items don't blow away in the Texas wind.

Items that can be recycled at the center are paper, newspaper, many types of plastics, cardboard, glass, aluminum and tin. Trash, furniture, tires and Styrofoam are examples of items that are not processed by the recycling center.

Laughlin Family Housing residents are provided curbside pickup on Wednesday for recyclable items. Housing residents are provided two small containers with three compartments in each container to separate recyclable items. Housing residents are highly encouraged to utilize these services, and they are provided one large waste container that is collected every Tuesday (8000 side) or every Thursday (9000 side). Residents are also allowed one bulk pick up per month, but it must be scheduled through the housing office. For additional information on the services offered or what can be recycled, please contact the housing office directly at 298-1701.

The City of Del Rio's Recycling Center, located at 1409 East Gibbs St. (across from the McDonald's) accepts steel cans, aluminum, glass, different types of plastics, cardboard, paper items, cell phones, rechargeable batteries, ink jet cartridges and wood pallets from the general public. Their hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.

For larger items or bulk materials you can utilize Crown Recycling, located at 1715 Hamilton Lane near the Val Verde County Jail. Additional information can be obtained by calling 298-3887.

Used oil and antifreeze can be dropped off at the Auto Skill Center, located Bldg. 525 off of liberty drive by the Base Exchange. Their hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. They can be contacted at 298-5844.

Del Rio Landfill is located at 2538 Broadbent Ave. They will accept tires, furniture, appliances and other large waste. They can be called at 775-1910 for more details.

The goal of Laughlin AFB is to have a 40 percent of solid waste leaving Laughlin recycled and proper disposal of all waste. Base personnel are encouraged to use all the resources above to find the right place to dispose of their waste.

Any questions regarding this article can be directed to the 47th Civil Engineering Squadron at 298-4256/4145.