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U.S. Army Reserve Command

Executive Summary

The Army Reserve Command operates 31 facilities in Georgia as part of the 81st Regional Support Command (RSC). The 81st RSC is headquartered in Birmingham, AL, and operates in Georgia under the direction of an area support team located in Decatur, GA. Army Regulation 200-1 requires that each Army Reserve command identify pollution prevention opportunities and develop a systematic approach to reduce all adverse environmental impacts.

Specific Pollution Prevention (P2) Initiatives

Currently, the Environmental Division has identified the following pollution prevention projects and is in the process of implementing these projects:

• Parts washers. In the past, the Environmental Division was paying for a service contract and disposal of the solvent from parts washers as a hazardous waste. The Environmental Division is in the process of purchasing new parts washers that will filter and recirculate the solvent. This means that there will be no hazardous waste generated from parts washers.
• Oily Shop Towels/Wipes Recycling Service Contract. Currently, facilities are buying cloth rags or paper towels through the supply system. Both of these items generally get disposed of in the dumpster; however, this is not the proper disposal method for oily rags/towels. The Environmental Division is planning to implement a laundry service contract for all of the maintenance support and equipment concentration facilities, as well as some of the operational maintenance shops.
• Antifreeze Recycling. Currently, most facilities are disposing of used antifreeze through the Defense Reutilization Marketing Office (DRMO) or turning it in for recycling at Army/Navy/National Guard installations. The Environmental Division has identified a company that will perform on-site recycling of antifreeze. Each facility will accumulate a minimum of 55 gallons of used antifreeze, then contact the recycler. The recycler will then bring a truck on-site that will filter the antifreeze, add additives to meet Army specifications, and then place the recycled antifreeze in containers requested by the facility. This service is at a cost saving to the Army Reserve, while recycling a hazardous material, reducing the number of small quantity generator status facilities, and encouraging purchase of recycled materials.
• Solid Waste Analysis / Recycling Program. The facilities owned by the 81^st RSC have a contract for solid waste disposal and each facility manager is responsible for locating a recycler to pick up the recyclable materials. The 81^st RSC, Environmental Division is putting together a contract for a management company to perform solid waste and recycling program analysis. The company will determine the size of dumpster needed at each facility and number of pick-ups of solid waste. The company will also identify local companies to pick up recyclable materials, determine the type and size of collection containers, and determine the number of pick-ups of the recyclable materials. The 81^st RSC, Environmental Division will hold a contract for the eight- (8) state region with the management company. The management company will then hire and fire the various local solid waste and recycling vendors for each facility under the contract. The company will then provide quarterly reports of tons of materials recycled and tons of solid waste disposed. This program should make recycling more efficient and less time consuming for the facility managers.
• Re-refined Motor Oil. Currently, most facilities are offering used oil to a local recycler or turning it in to DRMO or another disposal contractor, then purchasing new motor oil through the supply system or from a local vendor. The Defense Supply Center Richmond has set up a program that will allow facilities to order a used oil pick-up service in which the vendor will pick up used oil and fill the facilities order for re-refined oil. Every facility is encouraged to use this program to help increase the demand for used oil.
• Fluorescent Light Bulbs. This program plans to replace old light fixtures with low energy/ low mercury fluorescent bulbs. This will reduce the energy used and provide a cost savings to the Army Reserve.
• Energy Management Thermostats. This program will replace old manual thermostats with programmable energy management thermostats to reduce the amount of energy used. This will also be a cost saving to the Army Reserve.

POC: Leigh Banks 205.940.3528