Camp Lemonnier Cleans Up With Defense Reutilization & Marketing Service

Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Brian Badura | Personnel prepare to unload excess and scrap tires and equipment on Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 16. The camp is undertaking a first-ever massive cleanup effort to reduce excess and scrap material on the base with the support of the Defense Reutilization  

CAMP LEMONNIER, DJIBOUTI

10.20.2009

Courtesy Story

Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti — Clutter. For many of us, the word alone conjures up images of an unorganized and undesirable workplace. Thanks to a camp-wide effort at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, clutter is an enemy about to be defeated.

"As an expeditionary installation, excess and unserviceable equipment had stockpiled on Camp Lemonnier over the years without a comprehensive means for systematic removal," said Cmdr. Mike Evans, logistics officer at CLDJ. "The Defense Reutilization & Marketing Service system is the official Department of Defense process for removing this equipment from installations. The implementation of this program in July was a logical step as we strive to clean up the camp."

This is the first time in the camp's formal six year history that the base has undertaken such a massive cleanup and disposal effort. DRMS is supporting CLDJ throughout the process.

"The process started in late 2008 with a site visit and discussions on how to set up a facility to store the excess material at the camp," said Senior Master Sgt. Rob Olszewski, a DRMS representative assisting the Camp Lemonnier excess material effort.

Camp leadership realized that excess material created inefficiencies on base because it put storage space at a premium and congested the work environment. Unsafe and improperly disposed materials can also create potential safety hazards for the 2,500 staff who work at CLDJ.

Camp tenant personnel with excess material are now being directed to take the items to a central collection yard located on the base. The material collection yard at CLDJ is scheduled to close at the end of October to allow DRMS to fully inventory every item slated for sale, reutilization or disposal.

"In the end, we're probably going to have about 200,000 pounds of material that will be sold as scrap, including metal, rubber and electronic items," said Olszewski. "We'll also have over 100 large items in the yard that may be sold. The proceeds from the sale of those DRMS items go back to the U.S. Treasury."

Some items identified as excess can be inventoried and put back into the Department of Defense supply system. These items are available for units around the world, saving the taxpayer money by re-using items rather than buying new.

"I am thrilled with the camp's partnership with DRMS that has already achieved tremendous results, cleaning up over five years of accumulation on site," said Capt. Bill Finn, commanding officer of CLDJ. "This ensures we have a recurring process to reduce waste and free up critical property as we continue to develop our infrastructure and more efficiently and effectively support the missions of our operational tenants."

The 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment from the Puerto Rico National Guard is supporting the cleanup by augmenting the personnel working in the collection yard.

According to DRMS, the proceeds from sales of usable material, scrap, and other items totaled $94.6 million in fiscal year 2008. DRMS scrap sales recycled over 500 million pounds of material during the same period.

The Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service is a field level activity of the Defense Logistics Agency

For more information on Camp Lemonnier, visit www.cnic.navy.mil/cldj.

• Date Taken: 10.20.2009
• Date Posted: 10.20.2009 07:01
• Story ID: 40389
• Location: CAMP LEMONNIER, DJ