CHIAfE+VRES, Belgium - Reduce, reuse and recycle is the message environmental specialists at U.S. Army Garrison Benelux are sending to the community to help conserve natural and Army resources.

Money saved from reducing excess trash management costs leads to the garrison's ability to fund other projects, said environmental protection specialist Bernardine Ghysselinckx.

"Recycling is cost efficient for the garrison," said Ghysselinckx. "The more our garrisons recycle means the more money the garrisons have left in the budget."

The garrison increased its recycling rate nearly four percent from fiscal years 2007 to 2008, according to Ghysselinckx, by taking advantage of conservation options available at the garrison and in local communities.

"Being environmentally friendly on post is easy in the Benelux," Ghysselinckx said. "The garrisons offer various services to promote basic recycling."

Recycling containers are located in offices around the garrison for cans, paper, glass and plastic bottles. The ChiAfA..vres Air Base Recycling Center is open Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.

for ID cardholders and U.S. Army Garrison Brussels has a solid waste accumulation point for basic recycling such as paper, cardstock, plastic bottles, glass bottles and cans. For further recycling, community members should use local recycling centers in the Brussels area.

"Remember to crush cans and plastic bottles and flatten cardboard," Ghysselinckx said. "By reducing solid waste volume, you will save energy from transportation."

Ghysselinckx also recommends using local Belgian recycling centers when possible for further cost efficiency of the garrison's recycling management program.

"Local communes have robust recycling programs and we encourage our Benelux community members to learn the procedures to use these facilities," she said.

Ghysselinckx also said many communes have curb-side recycling and trash service available, however, trash must be separated from recyclable materials.

Community members residing off-post in government quarters can pick up specific recycling bags at the Self Help Store on post at no cost. Those residing in nonmilitary housing must purchase special trash and recycling bags in each commune, however, bags from recycling are cheaper than
bags for normal trash.

Another option is to use second-hand shops on post, Ghysselinckx said, which reduces discarded material that someone else may find beneficial.