No room for kaboom Published April 16, 2013 By Bob Landolt EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Recently, hazardous and explosive materials were found at the Base Recycling Center. Our alert base refuse collection and recycling contractor employees averted a potential disaster when they discovered an unopened 16-ounce can of explosive black powder that made its way to the sorting floor of the recycling center. They immediately notified Force Protection and Fire Protection personnel who secured the container and transported it to the 412th Civil Engineering Division's Explosive Ordnance Disposal facility. We are extremely fortunate the container did not explode while being compacted in the packer truck as the vehicle traveled throughout the base to complete its recycling dumpster route. Facility managers and Military Family Housing residents need to ensure hazardous or universal waste items are not placed in base refuse and recycling dumpsters, nor should these items be taken to the base landfill. California regulates and enforces universal waste, recycling and disposal, and prohibits placing hazardous materials in the trash. Hazardous electronic hardware, hazardous liquids and solids, hazardous pressurized containers and many other flammable and explosive items are not to be discarded in base refuse or recycling dumpsters. Industrial shops should have existing procedures for managing hazardous waste such as spent solvents, used cleaning compounds, automotive maintenance fluids and filters, painting waste, debris, or off-specification or expired hazardous materials that can no longer be used. Universal waste type items include aerosol cans, batteries, cathode ray tube devices, electronic devices, fluorescent lamps and mercury containing devices (e.g., thermostats and thermometers). Excess government computers, monitors and other electronic waste will be turned in through the 412th Test Wing Communications Squadron remedy ticket process on the Air Force Portal. Nonworking electronics and all other universal waste will be accepted by Environmental Management at the Consolidated Recycling and Universal Waste facility that can be reached at (661) 277-3681. Military Family Housing residents are encouraged to use the U-Fix-It Store at (661) 258-4461. Household hazardous materials can be dropped off for reuse. Paint, household chemicals, gas cans with gas and all household batteries can be turned in at the U-Fix-It Store, Wednesday through Sunday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Metal items can be taken to the recycling center at the Base Landfill (Bldg. 7990). Anti-freeze can be turned into the Auto Hobby Shop (Bldg. 2440). Used motor oil and tires can be turned in at the AAFES Gas Station (Bldg. 2110). Tires can also be turned in at the Auto Hobby Shop. For refuse collection and recycling questions or concerns, please contact Bob Landolt at (661) 277-1167. Do your part in keeping Edwards AFB safe.