Department of Defense: Widespread Abuse in Recycling Program Increases
Funds for Recreation Activities (Letter Report, 12/10/93,
GAO/NSIAD-94-40).

Military bases routinely receive millions of dollars annually from the
sale of aircraft, vehicles, and other materials that are specifically
excluded from a scrap recycling program and spend the money on
recreation activities instead of using it to offset the need for
appropriated funds or returning it to the U.S. Treasury. In addition,
some installations are holding their own sales rather than selling
materials through disposal offices.  As a result, the total amount that
installations are receiving from the recycling programs and spending on
everything from golf courses to boating and ski equipment is unknown.
In addition, Defense Department (DOD) regulations have not been revised
to reflect the latest legislative changes, and internal controls for the
recycling program are not being adequately followed.  In some cases,
program proceeds are not being properly handled.  Several Inspector
General and military service reviews of the recycling program over the
past few years failed to report the abuses GAO found.  DOD recently
revised its recycling program guidance to include ferrous and nonferrous
scrap and some firing range brass, a move that appears to conflict with
the purpose of the recycling program since these materials are not part
of the waste stream.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  NSIAD-94-40
     TITLE:  Department of Defense: Widespread Abuse in Recycling 
             Program Increases Funds for Recreation Activities
      DATE:  12/10/93
   SUBJECT:  Defense operations
             Internal controls
             Program abuses
             Funds management
             Accountability
             Military materiel
             Surplus federal property
             Waste disposal
             Sales
             Recycling
IDENTIFIER:  Defense Business Operations Fund
             Air Force Industrial Fund
             Army Industrial Fund
             DOD Resource Recovery and Recycling Program
             
************************************************************************

We regret that the full text of this item is presently unavailable.

See the GAO FAQ - Section 2.0 for printed copy ordering information.
The FAQ is automatically retrieved with all WAIS search results or 
can be obtained by sending e-mail to: [email protected]