Trash Talk: Recycling on Base

Story by Megan Mills, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs, Graphics by MCI Kegan Kay, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

How do you reduce a base’s trash output from 45 tons to 1.5? The short answer: recycle everything you can.

Italy has strict laws about recycling and general refuse, and entities like NAS Sigonella are required to strive for a 60% recycling rate. Unfortunately, throughout the past year, the collective recycling rate on Marinai, NAS I, and NAS II has significantly dropped. Furthermore, it is more costly to send our waste to a landfill than to recycling plants.

For those of us used to trash and recycling in the United States, the transition to European-style waste management may be a bit of a surprise; in addition to the legal requirements, there are more bins and different rules for us to wrap our heads around! Even though it takes a bit more time and work, recycling everything we can is good not only for the base, but also the environment.

Each town in Sicily has a different schedule and set of rules for recycling. In the past, those living on the economy may occasionally have missed a general refuse pickup and brought their trash to base. However, this is no longer allowed, so we encourage everyone to make sure you have the most updated schedule and rules posted on your fridge or somewhere handy for everyone in your household.

For those in Marinai and anyone who throws things away on NAS I or NAS II, here are a few important things to remember:

- In Marinai, remember to dispose all food waste in the separate organic bins. This includes vegetable scraps, fruit peels, coffee grounds, and leftovers of any kind. These leftovers can be bagged and thrown into the bin. This option is not yet available on NAS I or NAS II.

- If your plastic item has a recycling symbol on it, it can be recycled.

- Rinse and dry anything that has come in contact with food to ensure there are no remnants before placing it in the bins.

- Glass and aluminum are grouped together for recycling on base.

- Squash it! Break down your cardboard boxes, stomp your soda cans, and squeeze the air out of your plastic water bottles to make more room in the bins for others to recycle.

Get your kids involved. Get your office involved. If we work together, Team Sigonella can definitely make a difference!