MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- G
reen ribbons, shamrocks and leprechauns come to mind for many on St. Patrick’s Day. Camp Pendleton’s Single Marine Program is adding to that tradition by going green in a different way. The 21, 33 and 53 area SMP centers hosted Marines and sailors at a Go Green Challenge designed to raise awareness of recycling initiatives taking place on Camp Pendleton. The event included a free lunch and a raffle ticket for each recyclable item brought to the affair. Prizes included different value gift cards redeemable at the exchange.
“We’re combining the holiday’s traditions and incorporating the environmental improvements the base has made at our event,” said Makenzie L. Baker, manager, 33 area SMP Center. “Not everyone knows how environmentally friendly this base really is, and that’s what we’re promoting here.”
Like all SMP events, the Go Green Challenge provided safe, free fun for Marines and sailors, by providing food, games and drinks.
“The raffle was a great way to encourage people to recycle” said Cpl. Nick A. Jacobs, reconnaissance man, Alpha Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division. “Some of the Marines got some gift cards from it, all because of recycling.”
What many service members didn’t realize is that when they recycle on base they are improving their own quality of life.
“I never knew money generated from recycling goes back to fund base programs,” said Lance Cpl. Jesse P. Moreno, traffic management specialist, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “It really is pretty easy to recycle your bottles and cans. With events like this I’m sure more Marines will start recycling, especially since they can do it knowing that they are improving the base.”
The money made from recycling does in fact go straight to the Marines, said Charles Bradshaw, recycling program manager for Camp Pendleton.
“All the money made from recycling on base goes back to fund things such as morale, welfare and recreation projects, environmental protection programs, and energy conservation,” said Bradshaw. “In 2010 we gave more than $1 million back to the base from the revenue generated from recycling.”
For more information on future SMP events, visit www.mccscp.com. For more information on recycling on base, contact the base recycling center at (760) 763-2830/1650.