In five nondescript buildings located west of Sheridan Road, a small and dedicated team is quietly transforming everyday waste into resources that fund community programs, support military families, and protect the environment. At the heart of this operation is Christina Smith, the Qualified Recycle Program Manager, whose passion for recycling has helped build one of the Army’s most innovative and community-focused recycling programs.

“We’re not just about collecting cans and paper,” Smith explains with unmistakable enthusiasm. “We’re creating a sustainable partnership that benefits everyone on post, from the newest private to retiring families.”

Smith, who began her Fort Sill career in 1982 at the Artillery Hunt stables, has managed the recycling program since 2004. Under her leadership, what started as a simple waste diversion initiative in 1987 has evolved into a multi-faceted operation that directly funds quality of life improvements for the Fort Sill community.

More Than Just Recycling

The Fort Sill Recycling Center accepts a variety of materials including #1 and #2 plastics (water bottles, detergent containers, milk jugs), shredded and unshredded paper, cardboard, newspapers, magazines, printer cartridges, aluminum cans, and steel cans. Standard wooden pallets are also accepted.

“We sort everything by type, bale it, and arrange for sales,” Smith explains. “The materials are then loaded onto semi-trucks for shipment to vendors who purchase our products by the ton.”

What makes Fort Sill’s program unique isn’t just what happens to these recyclables—it’s how the proceeds directly benefit the community. Over the past decade, the Recycling Center has provided nearly $900,000 to the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (DFMWR), funding concerts, family activities, and community events. An additional $175,000 was allocated to refurbish the Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area (LETRA) water plant.

Community-Focused Programs

Beyond the environmental impact, Smith has pioneered several innovative programs that directly serve military families:

Free Moving Boxes: The center collects gently used moving boxes from incoming families and makes them available at no cost to Soldiers and families preparing for PCS moves. “No Soldier should ever have to buy a box if they don’t need to,” Smith insists.

Sustainability Partnership: This updated version of the former “Cash for Trash” program provides credit awards for recyclables turned in by Active-Duty Units and other qualified organizations. These credits, in the form of MWR recreation dollars, can be used at various MWR facilities including Golf, Bowling, the Patriot Club, and Outdoor Adventure programs.

DIY Materials: The center accepts odd-size pallets and wood crates that would otherwise go to landfills. “These raw materials are free for anyone’s use,” Smith notes. “We record and track the weights and add them to our Installation landfill avoidance record.”

Formalwear and Coat Collection: One of the center’s most heartwarming initiatives involves collecting and redistributing formal attire. “As we sorted textiles, we started seeing ball gowns and special dresses,” Smith recalls. “Gowns are expensive for young, enlisted families trying to attend unit balls. These are free—just come to the center and see what’s available.”

Trees for Troops: Since 2005, the center has participated in this national program that provides free Christmas trees to military families. “Last year we received 220 trees, benefiting 188 Soldiers, retirees, and veterans, along with 620 family members,” Smith says. “That’s about a $35,000 gift to our community.”

Making Recycling Easy

For those looking to participate, Smith offers practical advice: “Just do it—but understand that we’re a household recycling site. No garbage or items that need to go to the landfill.”

She recommends a few simple guidelines for drop-offs:

Sort recyclables by type

Leave items in bags (grocery bags are acceptable)

Remove Styrofoam from boxes and dispose of it elsewhere

During inclement weather, wait a day to drop off recyclables

“If paper or cardboard gets wet, we must throw it away or it jams the machines,” Smith explains. “And when it’s windy, it creates double work for us and might cause injuries during drop-off.”

Smith also emphasizes an important point about recyclable items: “Just because an item says it can be recycled doesn’t mean that WE can recycle it. If you have questions, please check with us.”

Looking Ahead

The Recycling Center is awaiting electrical upgrades to complete its move to a new location, which will improve efficiency and consolidate staff at a single site.

For Smith, success isn’t measured just in tons diverted from landfills or dollars generated, but in the smiles of families enjoying MWR-sponsored events. “Most people are unaware that money for these activities comes from the Recycle Program,” she says. “We don’t care about that. When people attend events or go camping at LETRA and they’re having a good time with their families, that’s all that matters.”

The Fort Sill Recycling Center accepts drop-offs during regular business hours. For more information about recycling guidelines or how your unit can participate in the Sustainability Partnership, contact the Recycling Center at (580) 442-5712.