CFAY Qualified Recycling Program: High Standards of Waste Wanagement
Story and photo by MC3 Andrew Ryan Smith, Navy Public Affairs Support Element Japan



LSSN Tyler Gaines, assigned to Fleet Logistics Center Naval Supply Systems Command Yokosuka, disposes of empty paint cans at Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY)’s qualified recycling program (QRP) disposal center Feb. 1. QRP provides recycling services for all of CFAY at no cost to the Navy, in 2011 QRP recycled 73% of the total solid waste produced on CFAY saving an estimated $14 million in disposal cost.

Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) officials are working in conjunction with the members of CFAY’s qualified recycling program (QRP) as a means to encourage regional commands to recycle.

CFAY is the largest U.S. Navy installation in the Asia-Pacific region, and is located about 30 miles southeast of Tokyo, the nation’s capital. Like all good neighbors, the forward-deployed Sailors of CFAY’s shore and afloat commands strive for high standards of waste management.

One place this happens is at CFAY’s QRP facility where various types of recyclable waste products are sorted and resold to local Japanese recycling companies to help fund the program. The recycling center attempts to reuse any items in good condition. Metals are sold to scrap yards and used cooking oil goes to a biodiesel refinery. The combined efforts of QRP not only aid in running the facility but simultaneously help the environment and local businesses.

“A portion of all profits made from the sale of recyclables are used to fund the operation of the recycling center,” said Roy Ito, CFAY Recycling branch head. “Any remaining profits are available to fund local projects that can be categorized as pollution prevention.”

CFAY recycling center is a civilian-run activity, and every command located onboard CFAY benefits from their services. The recycling process is mandatory for all commands on base and is provided at no cost. It is an easy and efficient means of disposal of refuse that would other wise be difficult to dispose of.

In 2011, the QRP recycled more than 26,000 tons of solid waste, roughly 73 percent of the total waste generated at CFAY. This ultimately translated into $731,000 in revenue and $14 million in cost savings for waste disposal.

“I like the recycling services QRP provides, it is fast and easy to use,” said Logistics Specialist Seaman Tyler Gaines, assigned to Fleet Logistics Center, Naval Supply Systems Command. “My command follows environmental protection agency standards and QRP takes in our old paint cans and other materials that can’t just be thrown away,” he added. “As someone who likes hunting and fishing, I am all about protecting the environment.”