Recycle yard reopens to public Published Feb. 29, 2008 By Corey Dahl 21st Space Wing Public Affairs PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Paper, plastic, tin, cardboard - it's all welcome at the Peterson recycle yard. Just leave the tires, appliances and furniture at home. The recycle yard here has re-opened to the public, allowing any base users to drop off their recyclables free of charge between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Bins in the yard accept aluminum, tin, all kinds of plastics, any kind of paper and cardboard, including the pressboard packaging used for items like cereal boxes. There's also a spot to drop off wood pallets, which can be broken down and reused. Phil Chase, pollution prevention manager, said the yard helps Peterson in multiple ways, and the more people who use it, the better. "We get credits from our waste service for all the recycling we do," he said. "The more we do, the more money we save for the base. It's also less material going to the landfill, so we don't have to pay as much to have our refuse hauled out of here. And, really, it's just the right thing to do." The yard, however, isn't meant for junk. The yard was locked up last year because too many people were leaving non-recyclables, like tires and furniture, there. Small appliances, some of which contained toxic chemicals like Freon, were also a big problem, said Mr. Chase. "We had some problems for awhile," he said. "We had all kinds of stuff in here that we couldn't recycle. The government has to pay for that stuff to be taken away, and we don't want to do that. That money could be used for something else." Mr. Chase said base users who wish to dispose of materials the recycling yard can't take have many options in the local community. The local Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office, or DRMO, can also often take items like scrap metal to break down and reuse. "A lot of stuff is going to the landfill, and it doesn't need to," he said. "A lot of people don't realize they can recycle or donate this kind of stuff." Those with recycling questions can call Mr. Chase at 556-7707 for help. Some tips for getting rid of hard-to-recycle goods: - If furniture and appliances are still usable, donate them to a local charity or thrift store, such as Goodwill. - El Paso County has a Household Chemical Waste Collection facility that takes opened and unopened chemicals like paint and automotive products. The facility also lets users take cans of paint and other goods if they need them. Call 520-7878 for more information. - Habitat for Humanity's ReStore, 411 S. Wahsatch, will take construction materials. Call 667-0840. - Non-usable appliances can be broken down for scrap metal. Check the yellow pages under "Process and Recycle" for businesses that can help. Information on how to dispose of electronics and other hard to recycle items like shoes contact Phil Chase, pollution prevention manager, at 556-7707.