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NPEP Success Story: Fort Hood
Fort Hood Takes the NPEP Mercury Challenge
Fort Hood encompasses more than 214,000 acres in Texas and employs more than 45,000 military personnel and thousands of civilian and contract personnel. The estimated annual economic impact of Fort Hood on the surrounding community is more than $6.09 billion.
Fort Hood's NPEP Goal
Fort Hill set a goal to reduce mercury on the Installation by 23 pounds by removing and recycling mercury-containing equipment (MCE).
NPEP Project Implementation
Fort Hood's DPW Environmental Division supports military and civilian personnel. One of the ways the Environmental Division supports them is by reducing materials such as mercury. The Environmental Division decided in 2006 that there were many ways that Fort Hood could easily reduce the amount of mercury on the installation. Because Fort Hood is comparable in size to a small city, mercury is found in many places. The three mercury-containing items used in the biggest quantity on the Installation are fluorescent light bulbs, thermostats, and batteries, so we targeted those items. We were carrying out plans to exchange thermostats and we discovered that it would be easy for maintenance workers to also exchange fluorescent light bulbs while in the buildings. We also started an education program and encouraged all soldiers to turn in mercury-containing batteries for proper disposal.
Source Reduction, Recycling, and Recovery Alternatives Considered
We used the following source reduction methods to achieve our goal: equipment and technology modifications, improvements in inventory control, improvements in maintenance/housekeeping practices, and the removal of MCE.
Our plans for recycling included purchasing new equipment to crush and recycle light bulbs onsite; however, due to budget constraints, we were unable to purchase it this year. However, we came up with an alternative in order to meet our goal while waiting for funds. Fort Hood treats the light bulbs as waste and processes them through the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO). The contract through DRMO requires that the light bulbs be recycled.
Hurdles Faced
Fort Hood is committed to mercury reduction. However, due to the size of the Installation and constant turnover and addition of soldiers, education remains a priority. It is very difficult to constantly educate newcomers to Fort Hood about the importance of mercury reduction and the need to turn in batteries to the Environmental Division for proper handling. Funds are also a concern. Although Fort Hood was able to meet its goal to reduce the amount of mercury by 23 pounds, the goal would have been much easier to accomplish with the bulb crusher.
Waste Minimization Results
We achieved our NPEP goal of reducing/recycling 23 pounds of mercury.
The biggest change that came from the mercury reduction on the installation was in the form of customer satisfaction. New light bulbs and new thermostats mean happier soldiers and personnel living and working on the Installation. The new thermostats are programmable, using less energy and leading to higher customer satisfaction. The light bulbs also require less energy and are brighter, creating better working conditions. And, although the savings have not been quantified, we know that the new thermostats and light bulbs have reduced energy consumption.
Additionally, the average mercury content for a 4-foot, 40-watt T-12 (twelve-eighths of an inch) lamp has been reduced from 48.2 milligrams to 22.8 milligrams. This change has contributed greatly to our mercury reduction efforts.
Lessons Learned
Fort Hood has learned several lessons from the mercury reduction initiative. Teamwork among different organizations was a key to success. When funds were unavailable for a light bulb crusher, the Environmental Division worked with DRMO to ensure that the bulbs would still be recycled.
Communication and education were also very important. Advertising the importance of changing the light bulbs and thermostats, including the benefits to the user, was an important step to having quick access to all buildings on the installation. Tenants were more than willing to grant access for upgraded equipment. Educating soldiers about the importance of turning in mercury-containing batteries and simplifying the process helped make the program an even bigger success.
We learned that most people are willing to help for a good cause. Education, communication, and teamwork made the mercury reduction effort at Fort Hood a success.