Recycling center breaks profit record Published July 6, 2007 By Tech. Sgt. Kristina Newton 1st SOW Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The base recycling center set a new record in the first half of the fiscal year by recycling more than 886 tons of material, earning $284,000 in profits. The recycling program also saved the base $39,000 in landfill fees during the same six-month period. According to Norman Ben-Maor, base recycling center director of logistics, that amount isn't getting any smaller. The recycling center has already processed an additional one million pounds of material this quarter. The proceeds from the sale of recyclable materials such as copper, brass, aluminum, plastics and paper, along with the landfill savings, are used for quality-of-life programs around the base. Some of the events that have been paid for with recycling income are Fall Fest, Family Fest and the fireworks at the Sound of Independence. The recycling program also pays for six full-time employees at The Landing Zone. "This is your program; help yourselves by recycling," Mr. Ben-Maor said. "When you put paper, bottles, cans and toner cartridges in the garbage, it's like throwing money away," he said. Mr. Ben-Maor and the staff members at the recycling center encourage people to be vigilant about recycling. Recycling containers are located near all major buildings and in front of the commissary. "If you need extra containers for your work center, just stop by the recycling center, and we will give one to you," Mr. Ben-Maor said. We can also do special container delivery and pick-up for unit functions." Recyclables can be dropped off at the center weekdays 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., or call 884-7577 to arrange pick-up service, or to obtain a complete list of recyclable materials. The recycling center is located on the east side of base behind the fire department. (Editor's note: Craig Overstreet, 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron, contributed to this article).