About FASTT

07 - Solid Waste Recycling/Treatment

Fluorescent Tube Crusher

Navy contractor estimates that it costs $2.50 to dispose of one fluorescent tube through a sub-contractor. FASTT estimates that the sub-contractor also adds an additional $.50 surcharge, resulting in a total cost of $3.00 to dispose of one tube. A fluorescent tube crusher can be purchased and installed for less than $1,000. Once the tubes are crushed, they can be disposed of for $1.00 per pound.

Activity currently disposes of fluorescent tubes as solid waste through dumpster disposal. Local regulations allow 24 fluorescent tubes to be disposed of in this manner per day . It is anticipated that future disposal of fluorescent tubing will be a major issue. Activities are already disposing of fluorescent tubes as hazardous waste and are paying up to $3.00 per tube for disposal. FASTT recommends utilizing the fluorescent tube crusher purchased by the Recycling Center. Once tubes are crushed, they can be disposed of for $0.73 per pound.

Recycling/BMP

Bulk steel paint cans and spray cans are not always recycled (due to fluctuations in the market for scrap metals). Recycling can be accomplished locally and independent of the price for scrap metal. A local contractor accepts uncrushed paint cans and aerosol cans that have been punctured. Action would reduce solid waste costs.

Shop collects empty metal hazardous materials containers and disposes of them according to local policy. The containers are not classified as hazardous as long as the container is empty and can be recycled as scrap metal. The shop should develop a recycling contract which allows for collection and disposition of empty hazardous material containers. Modify the current scrap metal contract to include empty containers.

Shop is responsible for general trash collection and disposal. Observation indicates that cardboard is being disposed in the general trash collection containers as trash (and at large volumes during battalion changeout). This shop should explore the potential of cardboard recycling via MWR or establish its own contract for cardboard collection and recycling. Action would reduce waste stream, disposal costs, provide additional funds to the Command and revenue to MWR.

Recycling program appears to have low visibility on base. Several programs have been implemented at other activities to promote recycling of paper and cardboard, which make up the bulk of the waste stream and have significant recycling value. These activities could be contacted to provide suggestion for techniques to encourage recycling. Assuming there is a 20% increase in recycling paper and cardboard, overall recycling from the dumpsters would increase from 26% to 36%; additional revenue would be $5,200/year; tipping fees avoided would be $2,000/year and there may also be a decrease in contractor disposal costs.

Corrosion Control shop performs an aluminum flame spray process in a waterfall booth. Overspray is collected in water sump and disposed of as HW. Shop could give away or sell aluminum sludge to a vendor for recycling.

Shop disposes of metal chips without segregating aluminum from the ferrous. FASTT recommends implementing a segregation initiative to eliminate aluminum waste generation. Aluminum can be recycled and disposal costs for ferrous chips will be lower.