Naval Station Everett prides itself on its achievements concerning conservation and recycling. The base’s recycling program work with base command and tenant installations to help achieve their goal — awareness.

NAVSTA Everett recycles up to approximately 51 percent of all base, Smokey Point, Jim Creek and Pacific Beach trash.

We are striving to get this number up to 75 percent in the near future by spreading recycling awareness,” said Denise Lesniak, NAVSTA Everett recycling coordinator. “This is a great program and every little bit makes a difference.”

Lesniak says that some people are still not aware of how much can now be recycled.

Today, a multitude of materials can be recycled, including all paper products, clean wood, plastic products, glass bottles, batteries, printer cartridges, and all metal products. Composting recyclables include anything food-soiled like paper plates, napkins, paper food boats, and chop sticks.

Recycling bins are located throughout NAVSTA Everett, and containers are emptied at least three times a week. Base recycling uses solar powered trash compactors and is currently stressing more composting in hopes of increasing organics recycling.

NAVSTA Everett conducts base indoctrination classes twice a month and environmental work center coordinator training quarterly.

The recycling program also routinely participates in events such as the Stillaguamish River Front Festival, barracks room recycling, Energy Week, the annual NAVSTA Everett open house, Earth Day, and occasional dumpster dive competitions.

“We would like everyone to do their part,” said Lesniak. “We would have never be able to achieve the goals we have without the amazing support on base that we receive. We hope the support continues to grow.”