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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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Conserve today - secure tomorrow

  • Published
  • By Kim Powell
  • 914 AW Environmental Engineer
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  Every day we try to reduce our impact on the environment in a variety of ways both here at work as well as at home. From shutting off lights when not in use to recycling as much as possible to reducing water consumption, every little bit counts. Today, Earth Day, the Air Force is highlighting recycling programs, with a special emphasis on electronic waste (e-waste) recycling.

Did you know that as of 1 January 15 it became against the law in New York to dispose of certain types of electronic waste in the trash or at the curbside for trash pickup? The NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act (http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/NYSDEC/bulletins/e26ac2) was enacted to reduce the amount of hazardous materials found in e-waste from being released into the environment. Here at the Niagara Falls ARS, e-waste is collected in a designated storage container at the Recycling Center for later pickup by RCR&R, an e-waste recycler. E-waste collected includes toner cartridges, TVs, microwaves, keyboards, shredders, etc. (government waste only). At home, e-waste can be recycled in accordance with your local town/city or county. Niagara and Erie County have websites dedicated to assist residents on how to recycle your e-waste along with many other typical household hazardous wastes, see the website links below.

At NFARS, the amount of e-waste collected along with other recycled materials is used to calculate our diversion rate which is the amount of material diverted from being disposed in a landfill. In FY14, we exceeded the Air Force goal of 48% by diverting 54% of our solid waste (diverted items include paper, plastic, glass, metal, cardboard, scrap wood and e-waste). We also exceeded the Air Force goal of 58% by diverting 74% of our construction debris. Air Force diversion rate goals for FY15 have been established at 55% and 50% for solid waste and construction debris, respectively. So keep up the good work and continue to recycle!

For more information on Earth Day and Recycling please visit the following:

- AF EARTH DAY WEBPAGE - http://www.afcec.af.mil/news/earthday/

- WHERE OUR RECYCLABLES GO: MODERN'S RECYCLING FACILITY (Youtube video of Modern's single stream recycling process) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46DXlzQ_V4A]

- AT HOME RECYCLING - RECYCLING IS BECOMING PROFITABLE. MORE AND MORE ITEMS ARE BEING ACCEPTED FOR RECYCLING. CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL CITY/TOWN/COUNTY FOR CURRENT RECYCLING INFORMATION.

- ERIE COUNTY RECYCLING WEBSITE [http://www2.erie.gov/environment/index.php?q=waste-management-and-recycling]

- NIAGARA COUNTY RECYCLING WEBSITE [http://www.rethinkyourwaste.com/]

- AT HOME PHARMACEUTICAL WASTE DISPOSAL - click on county recycling website links above; HOW PHARMACEUTICAL WASTE IMPACTS OUR WATER QUALITY (http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/45083.html)