Stay Out Of The Dumpster

Though it may look like trash, it still belongs to the federal government. This includes everything from scrap metal and cardboard to your everyday garbage such as aluminum cans, paper and household cardboard. In fact, until it ends up at the county landfill, it is still considered federal property.

At Naval Station Mayport, some dumpsters are labeled individually for "metal only" and "cardboard only." Once an item is disposed of in any of these dumpsters, it is delivered to the base's MWR Recycling Program. There it is processed further and eventually sold to market. The profits from these recycling efforts are a large part of what keeps MWR programs and activities operating.

"Scrap metal prices are currently at all time highs but so is scrap metal theft", says MWR Recycling Manager, Tim Hart. "Scrap metal thieves have gone so far as to disconnect air conditioner units from houses and even pull the wiring out of electrical panels. In one case, the thief was electrocuted and died."

This is not to say that everyone who collects scrap metal to sell is a hardened criminal. Many are just trying to make extra money and do not realize they are stealing. In fact, most scrap metal theft is usually from an employee's own jobsite.

"There have been multiple court cases in which, upon taking items from a trash receptacle located on a military installation, the service member has been charged with larceny," states Naval Station Mayport Judge Advocate, Lt. Janelle Lokey.

Scrap metal recycling has been around for years but with high market prices and a struggling economy, more people are taking notice. The fact is, removing anything from dumpsters and trash receptacles onboard government property, including scrap metal, is illegal.

Don't let the chance to make a "quick buck" cost you your job, your Naval career or even your freedom. To learn more about the Recycling Program at Naval Station Mayport contact Tim Hart at 270-5095 or e-mail him at timothy.s.hart@navy.mil.