RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The recycling center at Ramstein Air Base across the street from Burger King will temporarily close Dec. 12, in order to move into a new facility.
“Most people don’t think about their recycling until it comes to a moment like now,” said Thomas Weber, 86th Civil Engineering Squadron qualified recycling program manager. “People are going to wonder where to go with their waste once the old center closes.”
Just in time for the holiday season the new facility is scheduled to be operational by Dec. 17 across from the South Side Fitness Center.
Equipped with enough amenities to handle almost any waste the new recycling center is a simple update for a Ramstein necessity.
“We accept almost everything,” said Weber. “We accept hazardous waste, any household waste, florescent light bulbs, any plastics, scrap metal, expired medications, regular trash, and even biodegradable material.”
Available to all DoD and NATO personnel, working, and living on the installation, the recycling is limited to waste generated on the installation. Waste generated by personnel living off the installation has to be disposed through the local municipal contract. The only exception is household hazardous and electrical waste. These materials can be disposed at the recycling center from people living on the economy as long they have a DoD, Military, or NATO ID card.
The new recycling center will retain the same opening and closing schedule as the old one, Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. through 6 p.m.
“It’s going to be beneficial for the whole community,” said Weber. “Better service, better [facility] lighting, all around safer.”