FORT CARSON, Colo. -- "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." -- Dr. Seuss, "The Lorax."
Members of the community showed they cared during the Pollution Prevention Week household hazardous waste collection event Fort Carson hosted Sept. 18 at the old commissary parking lot by dropping off no longer needed products and electronics to ensure items were disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.
Pollution Prevention Week, an observance held the third week of September each year, is promoted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a way to protect people and the environment.
The Fort Carson event, open to Soldiers, Family members, Department of Defense civilians, retirees and contractors, drew about 130 people interested in unloading unwanted household hazardous waste products.
"I recycle all the time," said Sgt. 1st Class Mary Jackson, Headquarters Support Company, 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, who brought in paint, batteries and old light bulbs for drop off.
Jackson said she stays motivated to recycle by thinking about her children and lessons she learned as a child. She still remembers seeing an environmental film that showed a turtle with a plastic bag stuck around its neck when she was in school.
More than 9,415 pounds of waste was diverted from going to the landfill, moving Fort Carson one step closer to its net zero waste goal. Products such as cleaners, paints, motor oil and old TVs were collected. The following is a breakdown of pounds of pollution prevented:
The 2,214 pounds of household chemicals brought in will be routed through the El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste Facility, which had representatives on hand, for proper disposal.
About 2,250 pounds of electronic items, including old TVs, were collected. The installation sells old electronic items for a profit to fund the Fort Carson Recycle Program and contributes to installation morale, welfare and recreation funds.
The 3,857 pounds of no longer needed latex paint will find new life through a vendor, who mixes the paint for resale.
The 894 pounds of used motor oil will be recycled for future reuse.
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