Illinois air force base shutters recycling center

Leaders of the Scott Air Force Base in Illinois has announced its permanently closing its recycling center because of multiple instances of debris, a report by the Belleville News-Democrat says.

John Ahern, 375^th Mission Support Group deputy director for installation support, says in the report that multiple people with base access have been filling the center’s bins and dumping outside the recycling containers with construction and demolition (C&D) debris or unrecyclable material.

Items such as electronics, fluids, batteries, mattresses, Styrofoam, yard waste, household appliances such as refrigerators, C&D debris and household waste were found at the site, which is in violation of Illinois statute.

Scott Air Force Base provides recycling and disposal sites for on-base organizations and bi-weekly curbside pickup for housing residents. The report says the recycling center was never intended for organizations or residents off the base.

Much like outside communities, residents at the base are charged for the curbside pickup through a fee built into the rent. Ahern says in the report that there is no change of the ability to recycle for base residents and employees and that all residents have access to bins throughout the base for recyclables.

Col. Leslie Maher, 375^th Air Mobility Wing commander, says in the report the abuse of the drop-off site became too much and the site was turned into a dump.