FORT GREELY, Alaska -- For decades we have been creating waste; some of it toxic, and dumping into our environment.

The damage it causes affects all of us as well as other living beings around us. A good portion of the waste comes from industrial production, but just as much comes from the day-to-day products we use at home. Items like plastic bottles and bags, packaging materials and electronics contribute to what is ultimately placed in a landfill and buried.

With recycling, a large portion of our waste can be broken down into the original elements and used to produce new materials.

We can reduce harmful waste from polluting the environment and at the same time, conserve raw materials. For example: for every ton of paper that is recycled, 17 trees are saved along with 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space. Energy used to recycle paper is close to 70-percent less than when paper is prepared using raw material.

Our rate of recycling at Fort Greely has steadily increased each year, but everyoneAca,!a,,cs continued support is needed. So far this year, FGA has recycled 87.5 tons of material. And every item that can be actively recycled means less trash going into our landfill or polluting the environment.