Recycling focus of Earth Day 2015 Published April 14, 2015 By Brian Joyner 4th Civil Engineer Squadron SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The Air Force is using this Earth Day, April 22, as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of recycling. Did you know that recycling is mandatory on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base? Not only is the diversion of recyclables from the solid waste stream a federal requirement for military installations, it is required locally by Wayne County. Since there are no active landfills on Seymour Johnson AFB, base personnel relies heavily on Wayne County's valuable landfill space for our solid waste disposal. In order to maximize the life of landfill space, the amount of trash going in must be minimized. Each facility on base is provided with blue bins for comingled recyclables. This means all recyclables, except cardboard, can go into the same bin. Those materials are later sorted at recycling facilities, packaged and sold for re-use to manufacturing companies where they are turned into other products. Cardboard is handled differently because its greatest value is when it is clean and pre-sorted. The contractor has placed green dumpsters throughout the base in locations in close proximity to where the majority of cardboard is generated. It is important to think about where your trash goes, find your nearest blue bin and green dumpster, and help Seymour Johnson AFB recycle. To ask questions about recycling or trash disposal for your facility, contact the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron Service Contracts Office at (919) 722-5282/1819/5528, or the 4th CES Customer Service Section at (919) 722-5139. Click here for more information about the Air Force's emphasis this Earth day.