Reducing Landfill Waste at Fire Camp
A pilot recycling program tested on the Whitewater Fire in Oregon.
Vision: Achieving net zero waste at all large fire incidents by 2030
Mission: Integrating sustainable operation's best management practices into the fire community
The Greening Fire Team (GFT)
Established in 2011 GFT is comprised of seasonal, permanent and interagency employees from across the nation. Its mission is integrating sustainable operations best management practices into the fire community.
GFT's main focus is research, recommend, and assist with implementation of sustainable practices at fire incidents with a focus on camps.
Priority areas include
1) waste reduction
2) renewable energy
3) outreach and education
In March 2017, a partnership developed between the GFT, previously aligned with the Office of Sustainability and Climate, and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Fire Aviation and Management program.
What is the National Green Fire Team?
Meet the Greening Fire Team & Become an Ambassador
Learn more about who is on the Green Fire Team and how you can become an ambassador. You can also find tools and resources and learn about best management practices to coordinate recycling on your incident.
On-Site Incident Recycling
On-Site Incident Recycling Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA)
Learn more about the on-site incident recycling program full of resources and information to help you establish a successful recycling program on your wildfire.
Incident Recycling Facts
36%-46%: The range in waste diversion realized during the 2017-2018 contracted incident recycling pilots.
$2.25 per person per day: The cost of contracted recycling on medium-large incidents based on a 1,000-person fire (0.05% of daily fire operating costs!).
10: The number of years the Greening Fire Team has been moving the needle towards more sustainable operations.
4 – The number of Geographic Area Coordination Centers that will have access to the new On-site Incident Recycling Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) in 2019.
$170 million – The combined inventory value of the 15 National Support Caches in the U.S.
55% – The percentage of non-hazardous waste required to be diverted from landfills by U.S. Department of Agriculture Environmental Department Regulation 5600-05.
Contact Us
Email the Greening Fire Team for more information or to provide feedback regarding fire-related sustainable operations successes or challenges. We look forward to hearing from you!
Webinar Recordings
May 1 National GFT Webinar (recording)