An innovative parts washer has reduced hazardous waste generation by over 800 pounds annually. New petroleum, oil, and lubricant (POL) wringers have cut shop hazardous waste streams by 1,350 pounds per year. An electrostatic painting system minimizes paint throughput by 15 percent, reduces air emission pollutants, and increases transfer efficiency.

Reuse of items such as spill kits, flammable storage lockers, POL wringers, and disaster control equipment has saved 1.5 tons of hazardous material from entering the waste stream. A closed-loop used oil recycling program preserves over 20,000 gallons of oil annually. Also, the base used treated effluent water as a dust suppressant during recent reconstruction of the base runway, conserving over 10 million gallons of water.

The Central Collection Facility hosts a "Trading Post" where base residents can receive and/or be reissued household paints, cleaners, pesticides, and other household hazardous chemicals. Also, a strong commitment to recycling throughout base shops and base housing has diverted 13 million pounds of solid waste from the base landfill over the past decade.

 Transportation

Many of Mountain Home AFB's 2,620 military and civilian employees commute to work by bicycling, walking, carpooling or vanpooling. The base has partnered with the ACHD Commuteride program to enable employees in the Treasure Valley to commute by vanpool. Currently, 9 vans run daily, with an average of 10 passengers on each.

For more information, contact the 366th Environmental Flight at (208) 828-6351.

Information on this Web page represents examples of projects undertaken by the organizations only and does not constitute Departmental certification or approval of compliance at this or any other time with federal, state and/or local regulations, but is solely presented as an example of projects undertaken by organizations in order to prevent pollution and/or conserve resources.