Today, you can’t turn on the television without seeing a commercial about “green” products or hybrid vehicles. This helps people become more aware as to whether they are doing their part in helping to protect the environment. Some Fort Polk residents, through the Interactive Customer Evaluation System, or ICE, have asked about a recycling program on the installation.
The issue is addressed in the following comment and response:
Customer comment: I have a question rather than a comment. Is there a recycling service on Fort Polk? Several other military installations have recycling available, but I have yet to find one available on Fort Polk. I’ve checked with some of the offices and no one has really been able to help. If it’s not available, are there any recycling services available off-post?
Directorate of Public Works response: The DPW staff believes a recycling program is important at Fort Polk. Recycling involves the process of converting used materials into new products to prevent the waste of potentially useful materials.
This reduces the consumption of fresh raw materials and reduces energy usage and air and water pollution. Recycling reduces the need for conventional waste disposal and this lowers greenhouse gas emissions as compared to new production. Recycling is also a key component of modern waste reduction and is the third component of the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” waste hierarchy.
Fort Polk’s DPW currently diverts a minimum of 40 percent of all waste, by weight, from ending up in landfills, and enlists the help of two companies –– the Red River Service Corporation and IESI, to provide refuse and recycling services to the Fort Polk community.
Picerne Military Housing uses IESI services within North and South Fort housing areas. Residents are offered curbside collection and encouraged to use the green recycle bins that are provided. If a family has not received a recycle bin, they can contact their housing office. IESI is a solid waste service provider who accepts paper, plastic and aluminum items.
If cardboard is being recycled, residents are asked to break it down before placing it in the recycle bin. Residents are also asked not to place glass, leave food or liquids in containers or put garbage in the recycle bins. It is always helpful (but not required) to separate items in the bins.
Recycling items are picked up on the resident’s scheduled trash day. IESI has a designated truck that picks up recyclables in the neighborhoods before the garbage collection truck comes around. Should residents see the garbage truck picking up items from the recycle bins, please don’t be alarmed, it’s simply because too many non-recyclables were left in that particular bin.
RRSC is a provider of refuse and recycling services for everyone outside of the housing areas. They provide recycling opportunities to unit areas and contracted companies that work on Fort Polk. RRSC accepts cardboard, paper and aluminum items placed in the large recycle containers, which are distributed throughout the installation. Customers are encouraged to go the extra mile to break down the cardboard which allows more room in the containers, as well as keeping the lids closed to prevent rain from ruining the recyclables and keep rodents out.
Recycling benefits everyone on the installation. Please help save the environment by recycling all you can through the Fort Polk recycle program and on your own.
