Recycling Center

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The Commander's Action Line is a forum for the Ellsworth community to make suggestions or voice concerns about Ellsworth directly to Col. Mark Weatherington, 28th Bomb Wing commander. Below, he responds to a concern in regard to the recycling center.

QUESTION
Retiree support: Why can't a retiree use the recycle center? I recently had an unpaid move to Ellsworth and one area I was happy to get help in was to recycle all the unusable boxes left from the move. However, when I went their today I received the news that I cannot use the recycle center and I have to go somewhere on the south side of Rapid City to recycle the boxes. I was told the policy took effect today and sorry. The bad thing is I went there yesterday and found the dates and times it is open, and there could have at least been a sign saying on-base personnel only. So, two days in a row I had to waste my lunch time to find out I was not going to get any support.
Col. Mark Weatherington
Col. Mark
Weatherington
RESPONSE
Quick answer--it's the law. The recycling center receives funding through congressional appropriations which strictly limit its use to government housing residents and government offices. The base cannot alter this policy to allow others to use the facility. With the recent Centennial Estates transition to a private company, those residents can no longer use the recycling center. We will post a sign stating that the services are for Military Family Housing residents and base offices only. Similar services are available to in the local community, including three 24-hour recycling locations in Rapid City.