The Fort Leavenworth Garrison Command is sending a message: keep the installation beautiful and trash-free.

This seems simple enough, but this often becomes a challenge during the peak moving season on Fort Leavenworth. With more people moving in and out and generating PCS-related garbage, there will be an influx of trash that needs to be disposed of.

"This installation is a beautiful place and we need to help keep it that way," said Johnny Bevers, the Deputy to the Garrison Commander. "We want to keep the post clean and healthy for the Soldiers and families who live on post, not to mention the distinguished visitors who often visit the installation."

“Clean and pristine is the goal. We have got to do better.”

There is a dimension of public safety to this initiative. Keeping neighborhoods and public spaces at Fort Leavenworth clean and orderly fosters a sense of security and pride in the community, discouraging criminal or disruptive behavior.

To keep the post clean and safe, Fort Leavenworth has implemented strict refuse policies, and service members and their families should be aware of the proper disposal policies within the installation, current as of summer 2023.

Household Trash

Residents of Fort Leavenworth on post have the convenience of weekly curbside trash and recycling pick up. Two containers, one for trash and one for recycling, are supplied to each residence.

Per the Frontier Heritage Communities’ resident handbook, trash and recycling should be covered, and can be put out no earlier than 8:00 p.m. on the evening before pick-up. After pick-up, they should be removed by 8:00 p.m. on the day of pick-up and stored in the designated area.

Off-post, the Leavenworth, Lansing, and Platte City municipal governments have created solid waste management resource websites that detail the trash collection rules, frequency and practices.

Garrison command officials ask that off-post residents not bring their household trash to Fort Leavenworth. This helps to reduce the strain of installation waste collection, especially during peak PCS season.

Bulk trash

Residents in on-post housing are reminded to use bulk trash pick-up every Monday.

Large items that cannot fit into the Frontier Heritage Housing-provided roll-out containers is considered bulk trash. Examples of bulk trash include scrap wood, furniture, mattresses, large appliances, and tires.

There is not an authorized bulk trash drop-off area on the installation.

Residents and non-residents of the installation are leaving unwanted furniture, mattresses, and other large items illegally in the scrap metal area of the recycling center, or by unit dumpsters, costing the installation thousands of dollars in clean-up fees each year. This improper disposal takes road and grounds crews away from their main mission, leaving them to work to mitigate the hazard caused by the illegal dumping.

Instead, community members with bulk trash outside of normal collection times are encouraged to use the Leavenworth County Solid Waste Transfer Center at 24967 136th Street, Lansing, KS, to dispose of bulky items such as furniture, appliances, or large amounts of household trash.

 

Recyclable Materials

Frontier Housing residents can easily contribute to environmental conservation by using the mixed recycling curbside pickup on their assigned days.

The mixed-use recycling bin issued to all on-post residents is a great way to help reduce the amount of waste going into landfills. The following items are accepted for curbside pick-up: plastic bottles and containers, food and beverage cans, paper, flattened cardboard and paperboard, food and beverage containers, and metal lids and caps. To ensure these items can be properly recycled, be sure to clean and dry all containers before placing the caps back on and tossing them in the bin.

All community members, on-post residents and non-residents alike, are encouraged to use the installation’s drop-off recycling area on W. Warehouse Rd south of the stables. This area includes a dedicated cardboard recycling dumpster, a paper recycling dumpster, a glass recycling trailer, and a yellow mixed recyclable roll-off. Residents should place all materials in the appropriate receptacles and avoid leaving any trash on the ground.

The garrison cautions against leaving any furniture, scrap wood, or trash in the recycling drop-off center. A historical trend of users leaving unwanted furniture, mattresses, and other large items illegally in the scrap metal area of the recycling center, or by unit dumpsters, has cost the installation thousands of dollars in clean-up fees each year. This improper disposal issue takes road and grounds crews away from their main mission, leaving them to work to mitigate the hazard caused by the illegal dumping at the recycle center. Plan ahead and utilize your residential bulk trash program or bring these items to the Leavenworth County Solid Waste Transfer Center.

Household Hazardous Waste and Toxic Materials

Hazardous materials can be found in common household items such as cleaners, paint thinners, gasoline, motor oil, pesticides, fertilizers, and even Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs). Once these items can no longer be used, they become Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), and it’s important to make sure they are disposed of properly to safeguard families, pets, and the environment.

The Household Hazardous Product Collection Point, located beside the DPW Environmental Office at Building 2580, 810 McClellan Ave, allows drop off of unwanted household products in original containers.

At this time, the post’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop-off is for residents only but off-post residents/employees have similar services offered by their municipal waste departments, including the Leavenworth County Solid Waste Transfer Center.

DPW also offers a reuse program for any re-issuable items turned into the HHW Collection Point. Do-it-yourselfers can pick up paints, stains, automotive products, cleaning products, garden and yard chemicals, and other re-useable household items that have been turned in and reviewed by staff for safety.

HHW is open for drop-off only from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday when an attendant is available. For more information, call 913-684-3306.

 

Other items requiring special handling

E-waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the country. To help control this waste stream, Fort Leavenworth residents should recycle their e-waste instead of throwing it in the trash. A drop-off shed for e-waste is in the post’s Recycle Center on Warehouse Road. The following items are accepted: computers, toner cartridges, cell phones, cameras, modems, monitors, televisions, printers, game systems and general electronics.

E-waste generated by government offices and units should contact the Logistic Readiness Center’s Supply Support Activity at 684-9993 for turn-in.

Residents should not put motor oil in their trash or pour it down the drain as it is hazardous to the environment. Used motor oil and antifreeze can be taken to the Auto Craft Center at 911 McClellan Ave., an off-post garage or auto parts store for proper disposal.

The U.S. Flag Code specifies proper disposal guidelines. You can drop off your old stars and stripes in the convenient drop off container at the post Recycle Center. The local Boy Scouts of America troop will respectfully and reverently dispose of flags left in the drop-box. You can also drop off any flag at any local VFW post.

Discarding medications in trash or down the drain can have negative impacts on the environment or contaminate water supply. The Munson Army Health Center Pharmacy has a drug takeback box specifically for this purpose located in the lobby of the pharmacy.

Improperly disposed weapons can pose a risk to sanitation workers who may come in contact with the weapon while collecting the garbage. Safely discarding firearms, knives, or ammunition should be done with local law enforcement. For Fort Leavenworth residents, reach out to the non-emergency number for emergency services at (913) 684-2111 for guidance. Off-post residents can contact their local police department.

Donate useable goods

Residents of Fort Leavenworth are encouraged to donate useable items whenever possible to curb landfill waste, support charitable programs, and provide much-needed resources to those in need.

The Fort Leavenworth Thrift Shop, located at 1025 Sheridan Drive, accepts items such as clothing, toys, small appliances, pots, pans and dish sets, with the condition that they are in “like new” condition. Large televisions, desktop computers and other large electronics are not accepted. Profits are used to fund military family scholarships and community grants. There is a donation shed where donation items can be secured. To make an appointment at the Thrift Shop for a large donation, call 913-651-6768.

The City Union Mission of Kansas City, Mo. Offers curbside pick-up for residents in the Fort Leavenworth housing areas every second Saturday. They accept clothing, furniture and other household items, but not appliances, mattresses, cribs or car seats. Profits raised from donations are used to combat extreme poverty and homelessness in the Kansas City metro area. Tax credit forms are available. Look for the sign-up link in your resident newsletter or contact the Frontier Heritage Community Center for details.

The Fort Leavenworth Stray Facility also has a red donation bin on the front porch for unopened pet food and other pet supplies.

References and links to non-federal entities do not constitute or imply Department of Defense or Army endorsement of any company or organization.