Original Date: 08/10/1998
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Prior to 1997, material disposal and recycling at the Prototyping and Manufacturing Department (PMD) involved four different departments to document, handle, stage, transport, store, and sell the material. Each type of material was segregated and stored separately. Every disposal action required a disposal form and was treated as a separate transaction. Length had a limitation of six feet, so all cross deck pendant cables needed to be cut to size. This nine- step process for cables took several weeks, increased product cost through non-value added work, and involved six people to prepare the material for final disposition. In addition, the multiplicity of dumpsters, bins, and containers for every shop as well as the recycling yard created many logistic and housekeeping problems.

Recognizing the need for a less costly and more efficient method, the PMD investigated the separate recycling operations managed by Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR), an on-site organization. MWR collected glass bottles, aluminum cans, paper, and other recyclable materials, and sold them for profit. This action was allowed under guidance instructions, issued by the Chief of Naval Operations, which empowered the field activities to participate in the direct sales of recyclables. After several meetings, an agreement was reached between the PMD and MWR. MWR would pick up, transport, and recycle all the scrap steel and aluminum generated by the PMD. This Recycling program decreased the PMD’s operating costs by more than $28,000, reduced the number of dumpsters from 12 to five, and significantly improved disposal turnaround time especially for cross deck pendant cables, which can now be prepared for final disposal in two simple steps.

The majority of recycling conducted at Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC), Lakehurst is performed under the MWR Recycling program. However, the Public Works Department, which is responsible for ensuring the base’s compliance with all environmental laws, handles all other wastes according to appropriate cleanup and disposal procedures. Throughout NAWC, Lakehurst, a significant amount of unused acreage is covered by degrading asphalt and concrete. The Public Works Department initiated a program to systematically tear up the asphalt and concrete, and recycle the material. Once the degrading asphalt and concrete is removed, the Public Works Department plants wildflowers in this newly-exposed earth, eliminating lawn maintenance costs and allowing the area to return to its natural state.

All funds generated from the basewide Recycling program are used to beautify the base and support other MWR programs. MWR recycled 300 tons of materials and achieved $6,000 in revenue for FY96, and 745 tons of materials and $34,423 in revenue for FY97. NAWC, Lakehurst also realized a saving of $81,358 in landfill cost avoidance for FY97.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.