Waste Management
CalFire
Recycling Damaged Fire Hose
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From Left: Del Walters, Director of CAL FIRE; Sandy Brooks, Recycling Coordinator for the project;
Tom Lutzenberger, Assistant Deputy Director, Management Services; Tony Joordens, National Program Manager Public Sector Business, Office Depot
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The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) is recognized for its innovative program of recycling damaged fire hose. Thousands of pounds of damaged fire hose are thrown away into landfills every year. Some fire hose is made out of synthetic material, which takes hundreds of years to decompose. In 2008, CalFire recycled approximately 14,900 pounds of damaged fire hose that were used in three separate California fires. The recycled hose was used to make hammocks, beds, swings and other accessories for the primate cages in local zoos. The zoos benefit by saving money for materials they would otherwise have to buy; Californians benefit by having another type of waste material that can be reused and diverted from landfills, particularly after an emergency response team has responded to an incident. CalFire expects the amount of damaged fire hose diverted from local landfills to increase dramatically as the concept grows in recognition throughout the department.