Sheppard wages ongoing War on Waste Published Nov. 15, 2011 By Capt. Brittany Martin 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- America Recycles Day is Nov. 15, but the Air Force works to "Win the War Against Waste" year round. Team Sheppard is proactive in protecting the environment, whether it is through watering the Wind Creek Golf Course with reclaimed water or reducing the base's impact on storm water run-off. The Sheppard Air Force Base Recycling Center plays a large part in the fight by encouraging participation in the recycling effort and finding innovative ways to recycle items. Since arriving at the beginning of the year, Zero Waste Project Manager David Scarborough says the base has increased the percentage of material recycled. "When I arrived in February, we were recycling approximately 15 to 20 percent of the material that came to our center," he said. "Now we are up to 40 percent." Innovative measures include finding ways to recycle old mattresses and pallets and even finding a new home for discarded youth center toys. Recycling on base is user-friendly. There are drop-off points for recycling at work centers as well as a 24-hour drop-off point at Building 2140 near the Heritage Center. Sheppard's Solid Waste Program Manager Michael Pettibon said the recycling center at Building 2140 can take paper, plastics, cardboard and aluminum and tin cans, while the center at Building 2141 can accept fluorescent bulbs, paint and batteries. Personnel can also drop off scrap metal at Building 2140. Prohibited items include tires, soiled items, hazardous waste, green glass, Freon bottles and unpunctured cans. Other recycling sites include Building 2113, which accepts wood pallets, and the Auto Hobby Shop, which accepts auto oil and antifreeze.