Minot wages war against waste Published April 23, 2007 By Senior Airman Danny Monahan Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Minot Air Force Base participated in protecting the global environment when it observed Earth Day April 22 and 23. Established in 1970 by then-U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, Earth Day was created to bring environmental issues to the political forefront. "The Air Force is looking at our environment as an asset," said Anne Saul, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron chief of pollution prevention element. "The Air Force is committed to preserving the earth's natural resources and looking at the air we fly through and the ground we drive over in a new light." The Air Force has been taking an active roll in protecting the environment since the Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence launched the campaign "Win the War Against Waste" in 2001. "Win the War Against Waste is an outreach campaign designed to educate people about the importance of solid waste management activities on Air Force and Air National Guard installations," said Nancy Carper, AFCEE's integrated solid-waste manager. "We want to make people aware that reducing solid-waste generation is everyone's responsibility." To help manage waste, Minot Air Force Base is giving away hand bags and condensed fluorescent light bulbs at the base commissary April 23. "The bag is made is made from 100 percent recycled material," said Mrs. Saul. "Eighty percent is made from recycled cotton and 20 percent is made from recycled soda cans. And the fluorescent light bulb will not only save energy, but it should last for five years." Mrs. Saul encourages people to use these bags when grocery shopping in place of using a store's plastic bags. "I always bring my bag with me to the grocery store and many people come up to me and ask where they can get one, so I thought this would be a good item to hand out to raise Earth Day awareness," she said. Also, people can turn in old cell phones and battery charges at the base exchange April 23, so they may be disposed of properly. "Base residents should review their housing refuse and recycling brochure for specific information on recycling within the housing area," said Mrs. Saul. Various places on base take used items besides the base recycling center. The Auto Hobby Shop accepts oil, anti-freeze and fuel filters. The AAFES service station recycles used tires and used vehicle batteries. Base residents can also turn in fluorescent light bulbs to the central accumulation point (Building 525, 339 Bomber Blvd.) "In addition to recycling, reuse is an important factor in waste reduction," added Mrs. Saul. To reduce waste, she recommend the following suggestions: -- Use sponges and dishcloths instead of disposable paper products -- Save and reuse cardboard boxes and packaging material -- Save and reuse plastic shopping bags for small garbage can liners, covers for wet umbrellas or shoes, trash bags for vehicles, or packing material -- Use a washable commuter mug instead of paper or foam cups "It's the little things that can make a big difference," said Mrs. Saul. "You just have to take the time to do it." For more information, call the 5th CES Environmental Engineering Flight at 723-4871 or 723-4826.