Shredded paper should be long strip shredded instead of cross-cut, "if" you absolutely have to shred. When you strip shred paper the recycling machines can compress this type paper into one large bale and it will stay together when transported to the Paper Mill.  Cross-cut and confetti type shredded paper when compressed will fall apart when the compression is released.  Therefore, cross-cut & confetti type paper cannot be recycled and must be deposited in the landfill. 

Most of the paper here at Fort Gordon does not "need" to be shredded at all since the Recycling Center is not an outside agency and when I sell the paper it goes straight to the Pulp Mill.  It is then dumped into a Hydro-Pulping Machine that de-inks and bleaches the paper and turns it into a pulpy consistency, which is then turn back into paper products.  This procedure is done to all of our paper here at Fort Gordon.  I sell to only one Mill therefore there is no other people sorting or separating this paper.

Another reason for "not" shredding paper is The Unit Fund Buy-Back Program where you receive cash for your paper.  White Paper (Bond Paper) is a high dollar valued item for recycling and will pay your Unit Fund 50% of the net profits from the sale of this paper.  Current prices for white paper (not shredded) is about 3 1/4 cents per pound.  Shredded or mixed paper is about 1 1/4 cents per pound.  Cross-cut and Confetti type paper will cost Fort Gordon about 2 3/4 cents per pound to bury in the Richmond County Landfill, not to mention the needless manpower wasted shredding.

Please contact your Unit's Privacy Act Coordinator or call Mr. Don Johnson, Security Division, COMSEC, for further information about shredding your paper.

So the question is "to Shred or not to Shred" and the answer should be very simple...Look at the Cost!!!!!

Military Units participating in the Unit Funds Buy-Back Program for Fort Gordon, GA will use the following guidelines.

• Units will turn in only those recyclables that are listed as accepted items. A listing of those acceptable items, with the most current price list per commodity, will be posted in the Manager's Office.
• The hours of manned operations for turn-in will be Monday through Friday from 0730 - 1500 hrs. We will close for lunch from 1130-1200 daily.
• Individuals may bring any of the accepted recyclables from home or off post and donate them to a Unit for this program.
• Units will deliver their recyclables to the drop off center located at the corner of Chamberlain Ave. and 10th Street.
• Units will have each commodity weighed and a receipt will be issued for unit funds. This receipt will have the commodities and prices and must be initialed by the individual who turns it in and the initials of the person who is weighing. This receipt is a color-coded, three-part receipt. Original copy (white) goes to Financial Management Division, DCA, second copy (yellow) stays at the Recycling Center; third copy (pink) is given to the person turning in recyclables.
• Commodities must be sorted and separated prior to drop off at the Recycling Center. Units should contact the Manager or Foreman on duty for large amounts of recyclables. This will assist management with proper weighing and processing and eliminate a major delay for the Unit concerned.
• After Duty Hours Drop Off of Recyclables must be bagged and tagged. Each Tag must contain Unit ID (i.e.; 442nd Sig Bn) Name of person dropping off recyclables (i.e.; SGT John Smith) and Unit Tel# for verification of material and to obtain credit for turn-in. Bags without Tags become the property of the FG Recycling Program.
• Aluminum Cans will be double bagged and tagged as stated in item #7 of this SOP. All bags must be free of contaminates such as, water, dirt, plastic bottles, floor sweepings, rocks, etc. Current Scale price per pound will be given to those bags that are tagged properly. If there are no identifying marks on a tag or a tag is missing from the bag, the contents of this bag become the property of the FG Recycling Program.

The following is a list of Commodities that will be accepted for the Buy-Back Program:

• Cardboard
• Newspaper
• White Bond Paper
• Color/Mixed Paper
• Aluminum Cans

Phone Books and Magazines will be accepted but Units receive no funds for these commodities. All commodities must be sorted and separated prior to turn-in.

For additional information please contact the Manager @ 706-791-7881 or email.