The U.S. Navy set a goal for the year 2000 to reduce hazardous waste and emissions by 50%. At the Annopolis, Maryland Naval base the goal of waste reduction will be achieved by recycling or replacing high waste products with more efficient ones.
- A water-based solution for cleaning rifles was introduced, saving $35,000 a year.
- In the past, the academy disposed of 100,000 used rags every year. Now, instead of throwing the oily or chemical-coated rags away, they are picked up weekly by a company that cleans and returns them.
- Altogether the base has saved $140,000 dollars by changing to alternative products and recycling. And they have reduced hazardous wastes by 35 percent.