MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Station order mandates that all residents aboard the air station will recycle their trash to the greatest extent possible.

Recycling contributes to conserving natural resources, saving energy, minimizing pollution and creating job opportunities.

The Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Recycling Center was organized in an effort to reduce the amount of trash that is sent to the station's landfill by 30 percent.

Some recyclable products, such as plastics and metals, take longer to decompose, resulting in more space that is taken up in a landfill.

"Trash deteriorates into nothing," said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Moses Cardiel, administrative chief noncommissioned officer-in-charge, MCAS Miramar Recycling Center.  "Plastic bottles and aluminum cans take a longer time to deteriorate."
Recycling materials benefit different things in many ways.

"It's a good thing to recycle," said Cardiel, a 29-year-old native of Pomona, Calif. "Recycling is not only good for the environment but all money that the recycling center raises goes back to Miramar."

The recycling center has no budget. All resources and equipment that they use are paid for by funds that were acquired through recycling. Inmates from the Naval Condsolidated Brig are often present at the center to assist with any recycling needs.

The air station also uses some of the funds to repair or build roads and facilities.

The recycling center hosts activities that are designed to promote recycling and educate people. The center hands out items such as pens, shirts and Frisbees that promote recycling to event participants.

"We promote Earth Day and American Recycling Day," said Cardiel. "We think by doing this it will instill a sense of awareness of recycling in people."

Recyclable materials may be dropped off at the designated pick up sites. Curbside pickup is also available for base housing on Tuesdays and selected offices on Thursdays.

There are several sites on the station that contain a trailer where recyclable materials may be left. A 24-hour recycling site is available in the parking lot of the Miramar exchange and commissary.

"The 24-hour satellite recycle center is often trashed because people don't take care of it," said Cardiel. "Some people don't understand that we are here to help them."

The center is capable of recycling paper, plastics, glass, metals and treated wood. Furniture, oil and hazardous materials are often left at the pick up sites but are not accepted by the recycle center.