The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) has continued its focus on sustainability by recycling materials valued at almost $100,000 so far in 2015, benefiting U.S. Army Soldiers’ morale, welfare and recreation through a multi-agency program.

“As we completed construction at the site we wanted to streamline the project’s recycling program,” said Susan Baldwin, administrative contracting officer, BGCAPP. “We had the additional benefit of being able to provide resources and funding for our Soldiers and their families.”

“We have picked up 126 tons of scrap steel and 20 tons of wire from BGCAPP this year,” said Ken Moulton, manager, Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD) Quality Recycling Program (QRP). “Scrap metal prices are a good bit lower than they were last year, but we still received almost $100,000 in 2015 to provide to our Soldiers.”

The money received from the recyclable materials goes to the depot’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) department. MWR benefits Soldiers and their families through programs designed to relieve stress, build strength and resilience, and help them stay physically, mentally, and financially fit, said Moulton.

Baldwin said she worked with a team to establish a plan for the project’s recycling program, developing a memorandum of agreement between BGCAPP and BGAD. The agreement provides the legal framework for the program. Their depot partner is QRP.

Under the arrangement, QRP stages recycling containers around BGCAPP where workers place recyclable goods such as scrap metal, wire and cable, broken rigging and cardboard. When the containers get full, project representatives call QRP to sort and break down the recyclables and process them for disposal, said Moulton.