EPA honors installation for bullet recycling;green targets environmentally friendly.

Officials at Fort A.P. Hill in Caroline County are getting recognition for being environmentally conscious.

They are one of five Mid-Atlantic organizations to be honored by the EPA for taking part in the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities. Spokeswoman Terry Banks says they got the recognition for recycling the lead in soldier's bullets used in training. They have placed bullet catchers on the ranges and then periodically collect them for recycling. This single effort is the main reason for the award but Banks says they also have other actions in place.

They have removed the old tanks that used to line the rifle ranges on the installation and replaced them with green targets. Banks says it's a significant environmental step to get rid of the metal, rubber tires and liquids running from the vehicles. The replacements are made with a special sheet metal that simulates a personnel carrier but absorbs the shock of the shots better. Banks says many of them are designed to last 20 to 30 years before needing to be recycled.

Already over the past two years, officials at Fort A.P. Hill have recycled more than 6,000 tons of metal from steel to stainless steel and aluminum.

Listen to Deirdre Blake's story

Date published: 11/6/2007