Hazardous waste, pollution prevention Published April 12, 2006 By Tarsha Storey 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Regulating hazardous waste and developing new ways to divert, reduce, reuse and recycle may not be commonplace for most Shaw members, but for a few members of the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron’s hazardous waste and pollution prevention sections, it is life as usual. Throughout Shaw, there are various shops that require the use of potentially hazardous materials, said Jenyfer Johnson, 20th CES hazardous waste manager. The hazardous waste manager is the final approving authority for every request to use hazardous materials or materials that will cause hazardous waste. When the hazardous waste manager is given a request, material safety data sheets must be reviewed. Ms. Johnson said there are several questions that must also be answered. First, how is it used? Second, what is the process in which it is used? Third, are there rags, brushes or anything else used with it? Fourth, is it an acutely hazardous waste? Before a material is approved, there must be a plan for disposal as well. There are several places on base where a hazardous waste used to be generated, but now, there are new processes that have eliminated or reduced them. One environmentally friendly improvement is the usage of plastic beads to remove paint. The new system replaces a chemical solvent and removes the paint quicker than the solvent, said Mark Hall, 20th CES pollution prevention. This and several other environmentally friendly changes have helped Shaw reduce the levels of hazardous materials on base. The purpose of the pollution prevention team is to find ways for Shaw members to divert waste -- sometimes called a waste stream -- and prevent usage of landfills as much as possible, said Mr. Hall. “Pollution prevention is everywhere -- up, down and all around. It is in every aspect of the mission,” said Mr. Hall. With the ongoing demolition of several base houses, landfill diversion was a priority for the pollution prevention team. The appliances, donated to Habitat for Humanity, are an example of usable products being diverted from a landfill. Mr. Hall said they are currently diverting or recycling at least 55 percent of each demolished home. Some recyclable products are: brick, metal, vinyl siding, light fixtures, thermostats and copper piping. Not only is the landfill diversion and recycling of these products helping the earth, it’s also cheaper for Shaw. Each ton of waste sent to the landfill can cost between $34 and $38, said Tech. Sgt. Andy Teague, 20th CES pollution prevention. Recycling is the last step for pollution prevention, said Sgt. Teague. Currently, the pollution prevention team has a recycling program at the Recycling Center for cardboard, glass, used motor oil, motor oil containers, newspapers, cell phones, rechargeable batteries, as well as ink cartridges and athletic shoes.