Kadena wins White House recycling award Published June 18, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Monique Randolph Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The Pacific Air Forces' largest air base recently won a federal government environmental award. Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, was awarded the 2007 White House Closing the Circle Award for recycling. The Closing the Circle awards recognize the significant contributions and positive impacts of federal employees and facilities in environmental stewardship. The recycling category recognizes recycling activities from the previous year in which the winning organization recovered materials from the waste stream for use in the manufacture of new products. Among Kadena's many environmental contributions in 2006, the base reduced its solid waste disposal rate from more than 25,000 tons to approximately 14,080 tons through recycling, composting and mulching. The effort saved the Air Force more than $2.8 million in disposal costs for the year. Kadena also found innovative ways to recycle cooking oil by placing collection drums around the base for residents to dispose of used cooking oil. The collected oil -- more than 350 gallons -- was then converted by a contractor into bio-diesel fuel for vehicles. Kadena is also the senior executive agent for all military family housing on the island of Okinawa, which includes more than 8,180 housing units. Their MFH recycling policy yielded 440 tons of recycled material in 2006, including 380 tons of recycled metal. In addition to recognizing outstanding recycling efforts, the Closing the Circle recycling award also recognizes programs that include internal education and public outreach components. Kadena AB requires all base newcomers to attend a recycling newcomers briefing where they learn how to separate and package recyclables, and how to dispose of waste both on and off base. Additionally, Kadena partnered with the local Japanese community for Earth Day to participate in recycling games, contests and demonstrations raising awareness of the importance of recycling. More than 1,500 people attended the events. "Kadena Air Base's recycling program is just one example of the importance of environmental stewardship across the Air Force," said William C. Anderson, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics. "I am proud of Kadena for receiving this award." Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) Click here to view the comments/letters page