Anchorage to Zero Waste:
FALL/WINTER 2011-2012 VOL. 4, NO. 2
Your Guide to Zero Waste in Anchorage
Buying Recycled
Ask the Gang
Energy Awareness
pages 4 & 5
page 9
pages 10 & 11
Dear Anchorage Resident,
Wow, time is flying by! Did you know this is the seventh issue
of the A to Z Guide? We first began in the fall of 2008 and
since then, so much has happened. During that time, Solid
Waste Services (SWS) introduced its automated trash collection
program, including curbside recycling to about 80% of its
customers, and by this time next year, all SWS customers will
have automated service and access to curbside recycling. Alaska
Waste also began offering curbside recycling and more recently
began a program offering automated trash collection with Pay-AsYou-Throw rates. Alaska Waste customers now have the opportunity to sign up for curbside recycling in
almost all Anchorage locations, including parts of Eagle River and Chugiak. Just about half of all Anchorage
area households now have the option to recycle curbside. Hooray for curbside recycling!
But curbside recycling is just part of the picture. Access to drop-off recycling sites also increased over the past few years with the
expansion of the recycling area at the Anchorage Regional Landfill, as well as more places to take more types of recyclables, like
electronics, batteries, yard waste, construction waste, and lots more.
As recycling continues to move forward, a few of the major players have changed or will be changing soon; however, these changes won’t
affect your trash or recycling services. In May 2011, ownership of the Anchorage Recycling Center changed hands from Smurfit-Stone
Container Corporation to RockTenn Company, producers of corrugated and
consumer packaging, as well as providers of recycling solutions. In 2012, the
local owners of Alaska Waste will be selling to Waste Connections Inc., of Folsom,
California. Local management and staff and the name will all remain the same.
A special thanks to the companies who process and/or ship our recyclables within
Alaska or out-of-state, including Alaska Railroad, Alaska Air Carriers Association, Central
Recycling Services, Horizon Lines, Lynden, Northern Air Cargo, Northland Services, RockTenn
Recycling, Schnitzer Steel, Total Reclaim, and Totem Ocean Trailer Express, as well as the bush air
carriers that make the Flying Cans program possible.
To complete the recycling picture, in this issue we’re focusing on the topic of buying recycled
products and materials. We’ve gotten lots of questions lately about where to buy recycled products
so we want to help you find them. Because, as we all know, there’s no point in recycling if no one’s
going to buy the products that the recyclables are made into! We’re here to help you close the
recycling loop. See pages 4 and 5 for an explanation of recycling
labels to help you find products that contain recycled materials
and a list of local manufacturers using recycled materials.
There are dozens, if not hundreds, of other sources of recycled
products out there so just do a little research and read the labels
to find them in your local stores or through on-line shopping.
Since getting to zero waste doesn’t just mean talking trash, we
also continue to share tips on ways to keep our air and water clean
and to reduce energy use. In this issue, we welcome input from
our fellow municipal agencies, including Anchorage Water and
Wastewater Utility, Department of Health & Human Services’ Air
Quality Program, Public Transportation, and the Public Works
Watershed Management Section, as well as the State’s Alaska
Energy Authority and its partners.
Don’t forget to check out all the latest recycling
news on Facebook at ANCHORAGE RECYCLES.
Let us know what you’d like to know about
in upcoming issues through Facebook or
by emailing us at [email protected]. See
archived issues of the A to Z Guide at
www.muni.org/sws.
2
www.muni.org/sws
Fall/Winter 2011-2012
IMPORTANT EVENT DATES
Table of Contents
October 29 - National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
Important Event Dates..................................................................... 3
A Hometown Story: Green Alaska Solutions............................ 3
Closing the Loop: Buying Recycled............................................. 4
Where to Buy Recycled in Alaska.................................................. 5
Curbside Recycling............................................................................ 6
Map of Drop-off Locations & Curbside Service Areas.......... 7
Anchorage Recycling Guide........................................................... 8
Ask the Gang........................................................................................ 9
A Quick Look: Waste & Recycling Resources............................ 9
Household Hazardous Waste Management...........................10
Energy Efficiency.......................................................................10, 11
Beware of Carbon Monoxide.......................................................11
Air Quality...........................................................................................11
More High-Tech Resources...........................................................12
Coming Soon: Recycled Art..........................................................12
In the Next Issue: Start a Rain Garden.......................................12
A Message from the Mayor...........................................................12
10am – 2pm, participating Fred Meyer stores (Abbott & Lake Otis Parkway, Debarr
& Muldoon Road, Eagle River) Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson BX, and the new
VA Medical Center-Anchorage across from Tikahtnu Commons.
Drop off your unused or expired prescription or over-the-counter medications
for free. The Alaska Safe Medicine Alliance, in partnership with the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Agency, is hosting safe drug disposal sites in Anchorage and
throughout Alaska. Call 800-882-9539 or visit www.dea.gov for details and a list
of additional locations.
November 15 - America Recycles Day
Look for celebrations and educational events throughout
November. This year will feature juried art exhibits for
revAmp-Recycle-resTore at the International Gallery of
Contemporary Art, the 4th Avenue Marketplace, and other
“green” locations throughout Anchorage. Visit the America
Recycles Day website at www.americarecyclesday.org for details of
this year’s events. Just search by zipcode.
Dec. 28–Jan. 15 - Christmas Tree Recycling
Drop off your tree at the clearly marked areas of Carrs parking
lots in Anchorage, Eagle River and Palmer between Wednesday,
December 28 and Sunday, January 15. Be sure to remove all
lights, ornaments, tree stands, tinsel, and plastic bags before
leaving your tree. No wreathes are accepted because they have
wires in them. The trees are processed into wood chips and used
for trail cover, erosion control and mulch by local nonprofits and
government agencies. Boy Scout Troop 268 will pick up trees for a
small donation. Call 868-8899. Sponsored by ALPAR (Alaskans for
Litter Prevention and Recycling), with support from Carrs and the
Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste Services.
Anchorage Composting
and Biodiesel Continue to Grow
Alaska Green Waste Solutions, a subsidiary of Alaska Waste,
continues to build its composting and biodiesel businesses.
The composting program is diverting about 400 tons of
organics from the landfill each year, including produce waste
from local grocery stores and horse manure from local horse
owners. The compost goes to Green Earth Landworks (see
page 5) to be used in products sold locally. The company also
collects waste cooking oil and grease from area restaurants
and is now running 85% of its Anchorage truck fleet on
a biodiesel blend. And the project should keep growing
as hotels and restaurants from Denali National Park and
Talkeetna to Kenai and Soldotna seek to get involved. Visit
www.alaskawaste.com and click on the Environmental
Stewardship link for more information.
A Hometown Story: Green Alaska Solutions
In business for three years, Green Alaska Solutions is a local company
that provides an earth-friendly alternative to disposable petroleumbased products for businesses and residents while educating
the public about reducing waste. Besides carrying a full line of
environmentally preferable disposable food service items, Green
Alaska Solutions also now carries a variety of 100% recycled-content
paper products, including hand towels, napkins, and toilet tissue, and
take-out containers made from recycled-plastic bottles.
The disposable food service items are made from Bioplastics, which
begin as plants grown on a conventional farm and harvested. The
grains (typically corn) are then processed to separate the starch,
and the starch is converted into sugar. Microorganisms are added
to convert the sugar into lactic acid. At this stage, the material is
commonly referred to as PLA (poly-lactic acid). The PLA is a molecular
structure made up of pellets that form a chain. The pellets are melted
and shaped into a variety of packaging and food containers. Green
Alaska Solutions also carries products made from the by-products of
the sugarcane and wheat harvesting processes.
Compared to conventional materials, disposables made
from plants:
• Require 62-68% less energy to produce, depending on
the brand
• Are responsible for less CO2 in the atmosphere
• Come from renewable resources
• Are biodegradable and break down safely and relatively quickly into
the raw materials of nature
• Are compostable in commercial composting facilities
Visit www.greenalaskasolutions.com for more information.
Anchorage to Zero Waste, Your A to Z Guide, Volume 4, No. 2, Fall/Winter 2011-2012, is published by the Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste
Services using funds from a $3/ton tip fee surcharge on all solid waste disposed at the Anchorage Regional Landfill and Central Transfer Station.
Editor: Jeanne Carlson. Illustrations and Design: David Zinn. Printed on 40% post-consumer recycled paper. Please recycle as mixed paper.
View this document electronically at www.muni.org/sws. Email [email protected] and request a notice when a new issue is posted.
Fall/Winter 2011-2012
3
www.muni.org/sws
3
Closing the Recycling Loop: Buying Recycled Products
Recycling is not just throwing your recyclables into a bin; you play a role throughout
the recycling process. In the recycling symbol’s “chasing arrow” design, each arrow
represents a stage in the recycling process. The first arrow represents you putting
your recyclable materials into a recycling bin. The second arrow represents the processors and manufacturers that sort, ship, and make new products. The third arrow
is you again! It represents the purchase of recycled products. There would be no
incentive to recycle anything if you didn’t complete the recycling loop by purchasing
recycled products. So how do you find recycled products? Here’s what to look for.
Recyclable vs. Recycled
There’s a difference between recyclable and recycled so be sure to read labels
carefully.
Recyclable = the product or packaging can be recycled through a local recycling
program. And don’t take the manufacturer’s word for it. You also must take into
account what is accepted in your local recycling program. It’s only “recyclable” if
there’s a program to recycle it.
• Three wide arrows pointing at each other in the form of a triangle
indicate that you can recycle the product or container bearing the
symbol where programs are available.
Recycled = the product or packaging is made of used (recycled)
materials.
• If the recycling symbol appears inside a shaded circle, the product
contains at least some recycled material. A number inside the arrows
tells you the percentage of recycled material in the product.
Plastics Labeling
recyclable
!
@
Polyethylene
terephthalate
High-density
polyethylene
BOTTLES
& JUGS
ONLY
NOT recyclable
#
$
%
^
&
4
Vinyl or
Polyvinyl chloride
Low-density
polyethylene
Polypropylene
Polystyrene
Miscellaneous plastics
not covered in the
other categories
Don’t forget that the SPI code for plastics
doesn’t necessarily mean it’s recyclable. The
Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) chose to
use the “chasing arrows” symbol as part of its
identifying code for different plastic resins.
The number inside them and letters below
indicate the plastic resin; a helpful guideline
when trying to determine the recyclability of
the plastic item. But you also must factor in
the shape of the container because different
shapes are made in different ways. For
example, a yogurt tub is formed when heated
material is forced into a mold (injection
molding) and a clamshell container is stamped
from a thin sheet of plastic (thermoforming),
while a soda bottle starts as a small tube that
is heated and blown into a mold like a balloon
(blow molding). The melting temperatures
and ‘flow’ characteristics are different for each
and, as a result, they may not be recycled
together. Blow-molded plastics make up a
greater percentage of the residential waste
stream than other plastic types and, therefore,
have more established recycling programs.
That’s why we recycle just #1 bottles and #2
jugs in Anchorage.
www.muni.org/sws
Recycled products can be found in all shapes and sizes in
local stores. Look for recycled products ranging from cat
litter to carpet, lunch bags to lumber, mulch to mattresses.
In office supply stores, look for recycled content listed
on paper items, including copy paper, envelopes, legal
pads, sticky notes, file folders and much more. Plastic
desk accessories, pens and pencils, metal waste baskets,
shipping mailers, and even office furniture are just a few
other items that may contain recycled material.
At the home and garden center, look for garden hoses,
compost bins, playground equipment, paint, carpet, tiles,
mats, decking and deck furniture with recycled content.
In grocery stores, look for recycled toilet and facial tissues,
paper towels, and trash bags, just to name a few recycled
products. Packaging is another place to look for recycled
content in the grocery store. Several packaging materials
typically have a significant amount of recycled content
even if it isn’t identified on the packaging.
• Steel cans
• Aluminum cans
• Glass bottles and jars
• Molded pulp containers
(like egg cartons and fruit trays)
Post-consumer recycled content = materials
that have been collected from consumers through
drop-off or curbside recycling programs.
Post-industrial or pre-consumer recycled
content = materials that have been put back into
the manufacturing process at the manufacturing
facility. This is a typical part of the manufacturing
process to avoid waste and increase efficiency.
Look for the highest percentage possible of
post-consumer recycled content to be sure you
are supporting actual residential and business
recycling programs.
Fall/Winter 2011-2012
Where to Find Local Recycled Products
Besides the hundreds of recycled products you can find at any grocery, hardware, home improvement, or
office supply store, here are a handful of more specialized local suppliers of recycled products.
Anchorage Sand & Gravel makes several
recycled products that offer the ability to
contribute to the LEED(r) Green Building
Certification System. These include
aggregates, blocks and pavers, and asphalt,
some of which contain recovered latex
paint, among other recycled materials.
1040 O’Malley Road, Anchorage
www.anchsand.com Click on “LEED” tab at
top bar to see recycled products.
888-349-3133 or 907-349-3333
EverGreen Nursery & Garden Center makes compost from
local yard waste and animal waste. You can purchase by the
cubic-foot bag or by the pick-up truck load. US Composting
Council-certified products.
12580 Old Seward Hwy., Anchorage
http://alaskaevergreen.com Click GO GREEN link.
907-344-2588
EverGreen Nursery’s pilot green waste curbside
collection program exceeded all goals this past
summer, surpassing 10,000 cubic yards. That’s
a lot of yard waste not going into our landfill!
Green Earth Landworks is a landscape construction
company specializing in organic and sustainable
practices, producing micro-organisms for plant,
soil and compost uses as well as garden-blend soils
using locally produced compost. Also makes EM-1
compost socks for erosion-control projects. US
Composting Council-certified products.
5440 B Street, Anchorage
www.greenearthalaska.com
907-243-7893
Central Recycling Services offers
aggregate, asphalt, rubber, pallets, mulch,
scrap metal and animal bedding, among
other recycled products.
Glacierstone makes countertops and similar products from
recovered glass – 75% of the glass is from Alaska sources.
Thermo-Kool of Alaska makes recycled-newspaper
products including blow-in cellulose insulation,
hydroseed mulch, and animal bedding. Products are
available locally at Alaska Mill & Seed, Home Depot,
Lowe’s, Spenard Builders Supply, and Wal-Mart.
2400 Railroad Ave., Anchorage
www.centralrecyclingservices.com
907-748-7400
801 East 82nd Street, Anchorage
www.glacierstone.com
888-490-9472 or 907-762-5971
4191 E. Dimond Way, Wasilla
www.thermo-koolofalaska.com
907-376-3644
MOA Solid Waste Services is supporting local processing of difficultto-recycle materials that make up a big part of our waste stream and
make sense to recycle locally. Targeted materials include organics, tires,
construction and demolition debris, and glass. SWS issued grants to help
expand the manufacturing capacity for these materials in the Anchorage
area. We’ll keep you updated on the status of these projects as they develop.
Recycled Myths
MYTH: Recycled products are hard to find.
TRUTH: Recycled content products can be found in grocery
stores, hardware stores, office supply stores, home shopping
catalogs and shopping centers. There are thousands of
products made from or packaged in recycled-content material.
MYTH: Recycled paper isn’t as good as non-recycled paper.
TRUTH: Quality recycled-content paper now shares the
same printing and performance characteristics as quality
virgin paper.
MYTH: Recycled products cost more.
TRUTH: This used to be the case for some products, but often
is no longer true. Many recycled products are competitively
priced with their non-recycled counterparts. In fact, some may
be less expensive.
Fall/Winter 2011-2012
5
Why Should We Care
What the Government Buys?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)
has established minimum recycled-content standard guidelines
for numerous products, including printing paper, office paper,
janitorial paper, construction, landscaping, transportation,
vehicles, and non-paper office products. Government entities
are required to purchase these products with the highest postconsumer content practicable, but with no less than the minimum
recycled content established by the U.S. EPA guidelines. Visit
www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/tools/cpg.
This is part of an overarching federal government
“Environmentally Preferable Purchasing” (EPP) program, which
includes encouraging the purchase of all types of “green” products
including recycled-content products. Visit www.epa.gov/epp.
Why is it important for the federal government to purchase
recycled products? The United States federal government is one
of the world’s largest consumers. It is the single largest consumer
of goods and services in the United States, with total spending
estimated at $350 billion for goods and services each year.
This purchasing power exerts a tremendous influence on which
products and services are available in the national marketplace.
The EPP program ensures that the federal government’s buying
power is working to the greatest extent possible to increase
availability of environmentally preferable products, which in turn
minimizes environmental impacts and makes these products
more accessible for consumers like you.
www.muni.org/sws
5
Curbside Recycling
Curbside recycling is now available to 50,000 households with more on the way. Residents are finding
it’s an easy way to “do the right thing.” If curbside recycling is available in your neighborhood, get
on board! All of the “acceptable” materials can be put into one recycling roll cart – no sorting
necessary. Collection is every other week at your curb – no driving! Follow these simple rules
to help keep curbside recycling going strong.
What can go in the recycling roll cart?
ACCEPTABLE
Aluminum cans
Steel cans (tin)
HANDLE FACING
TOWARD HOUSE
Plastic PET #1 bottles
Plastic HDPE #2 jugs
LID COMPLETELY CLOSED
Mixed paper
(including gift wrap)
Cardboard
AT LEAST 3 FEET AWAY
FROM TREES, CARS, AND
OTHER ROLL CARTS
Newspaper
CLEAN pizza boxes
(no grease or cheese)
Important Reminder: As more of Anchorage’s residential trash
service becomes automated, it is even more important to observe
the recycling rules listed above. Be sure to leave at least three feet
of space around and between your carts so that the collection
truck’s automated arm has enough room to pick up the carts.
NOT ACCEPTABLE
Glass
Plastic bags*
Green or food waste
Scrap metal*
Where is Curbside Recycling available?
Electronics*
Check the map on page 7 to see if your neighborhood is included.
Milk/juice cartons
Curbside recycling services are provided by two different
residential service providers. Check the map for boundaries. For more
information about sign-up for service or when service will be coming
to your area, contact your service provider.
Paper plates
Paper cups
Paper napkins
Plastic cups or tubs
(yogurt etc.)
Plastic fruit or
bakery containers
Alaska Waste
563-3717
www.alaskawaste.com
Aerosol, paint or fuel cans
Waxed cardboard
*See page 8 for locations to recycle these materials.
6
Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste Services
343-6250
www.muni.org/sws
www.muni.org/sws
Fall/Winter 2011-2012
Commingled Curbside Recycling Service Areas:
Reese Rd.
= services currently provided by SWS
= SWS area to be serviced in 2012
= services currently provided by Alaska Waste
B
Hwy
.
Birchwood
Airport
Gle
nn
Gle
nn
Knik Vista
Hw
y.
Rankin Rd.
Glacier Rd.
d.
Homestead R
Gl
en
nH
Greatland Dr.
Ol
d
8
NE
agl
eR
ive
r
See page 6 for details and contact information
.
Rd
wy
.
irc
hw
ood
Loop
CHUGIAK
Loo
p R d.
Alaska Waste began
automated trash service in
spring 2011. All Alaska
Waste service areas will be
automated in 2012.
1
2
15
6
20
14
14
9
7
12
13
17
4
19
SWS began automated
trash service in fall 2008.
All SWS service areas will
be automated in 2012.
3
Elmore Rd.
16
Recycling
Drop-off
Locations
in Anchorage:
5
11
18
All sites are available 24/7 except the
Anchorage Regional Landfill.
10
Carrs and elementary school locations listed below
accept newspaper and aluminum cans only.
6 Carrs, Aurora Village
1650 W. Northern Lights Blvd.
7 Carrs, Debarr Road
1 Downtown: 239 W. 4th (C St. between 3rd & 4th 5600 Debarr Rd.
Entrance on 3rd) - Cardboard only
2 Anchorage Regional Landfill (hours limited to
8 Carrs, Eagle River
landfill hours) Accepts cardboard, mixed paper,
11409 Business Park Blvd.
newspaper, aluminum cans, #1 PET plastic bottles,
9 Carrs, Gambell Road
#2 HDPE plastic jugs
1340 Gambell Rd.
3 Anchorage Recycling Center 6161 Rosewood St.
10 Carrs, Huffman Road
Accepts steel cans, cardboard, mixed paper, newspaper,
1501 E. Huffman Rd.
aluminum cans, #1 PET plastic bottles, #2 HDPE plastic jugs,
plastic bags
11 Carrs, Jewel Lake
4000 W. Dimond Blvd.
4 Brown Jug Warehouse 4140 Old Seward Hwy.
Aluminum cans only
12 Carrs, Mall at Sears
5 Carrs, Abbott Road 1725 Abbott Rd.
600 E. Northern Lights Blvd
Fall/Winter 2011-2012
7
13 Carrs, Muldoon Road
7731 E. Northern Lights Blvd.
14 Carrs, Northway Mall
3101 Penland Pkwy.
15 Inlet View Elementary
1219 N St.
16 King Street – 7801 Schoon St
Cardboard only
www.muni.org/sws
17 Lake Otis Elementary
3331 Lake Otis Pkwy.
18 Mears Middle School
2700 W. 100th Ave.
19 Northwood ABC Elementary
4807 Northwood Dr.
20 Wonder Park Elementary
5101 E. 4th Ave.
7
ANCHORAGE RECYCLING GUIDE
RECYCLABLE
MATERIAL
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Other Locations
C
C
What’s accepted
Aluminum Cans
Beverage cans, rinsed
Schnitzer Steel (9705 King St.), Hilltop
Recycling (16849 Old Glenn Hwy., Chugiak)
Steel Cans
Schnitzer Steel (9705 King St.)
Plastic Bottles
What to leave out
Scrap metal
Food & beverage cans, rinsed
Scrap metal
#1 PET bottles with neck and
screw top (beverage bottles)
Other numbered plastics, plastic
produce and take-out containers
#2 HDPE jugs with neck and screw Other numbered plastics, cups,
tubs, oil/chemical containers
top (milk and detergent jugs)
Plastic Jugs
Plastic Bags
and Film
Carrs / Fred Meyer / Lowe’s / Target/ Walmart Stretchy plastic film, like
store entryways (grocery bags only)
grocery bags, drycleaner bags,
bubble wrap, stretch wrap,
shrink wrap
Food-contaminated bags, bags
with paper labels affixed, crinkly
film like cereal box liners and
snack bags
Office Paper
Mixed Paper
White/colored paper, glossy
paper, junk mail, window
envelopes, paperboard (cereal
boxes, paper towel rolls),
gift wrap, paper egg cartons
Staples and paper clips okay
Milk cartons, juice boxes,
hardcover books (unless binding
and cover are removed), binder
clips, plastic or metal bindings
Corrugated boxes
Clean pizza boxes
Brown paper grocery bags
Waxed corrugated
Fish boxes
Non-corrugated paper
Cereal Boxes
Cardboard*
Downtown:
239 W. 4th (C St. between 3rd & 4th)
South Anchorage: 7801 Schoon St
Newspaper
Anchorage Daily News (1001 Northway Dr.) Newspaper and its inserts
Telephone Books
As mixed paper
Apr. 15-July 31
Electronics
(fees apply
in most cases)
Anchorage Regional Landfill Hazardous
Waste Collection Center (businesses only)
Best Buy stores
Total Reclaim
12101 Industry Way, Unit C4
(in the Huffman Business Park)
Tri Digital Computer Services
17034 Eagle River Loop Road, Eagle River
(above Trustworthy Hardware)
Scrap metals
(fees apply in
some cases)
During
business
hours
Be sure to read all signage on
recycling bins and follow instructions!
Anchorage Regional Landfill and Central
Transfer Station
(appliances only)
Hilltop Recycling
(16849 Old Glenn Hwy., Chugiak)
Mobile Metals
Schnitzer Steel (9705 King St.)
*Flatten Your Cardboard
Total Reclaim
(12101 Industry Way, Unit C4)
(refrigerators only)
Whether you are recycling curbside or at a drop-off
location, flattening your cardboard will make your
recycling efforts more efficient.
8
www.muni.org/sws
Plastic bags
Telephone directories
Other paper, plastic bags
Televisions, computer monitors,
computers, laptops, keyboards,
mice, modems, external drives,
scanners, printers, copiers,
cables, other computer
peripherals, VCRs, DVD players,
stereos, radios, phones, fax
machines, camcorders, electric
typewriters, microwave ovens,
telephones, cell phones & most
media (floppies, CDs, DVDs, VHS
tapes)
Smoke detectors,
vacuum cleaners,
EXIT signs, lighting ballasts
Aluminum cans, aluminum
scrap, brass, copper, stainless
steel, radiators, lead, tin,
cables. Appliances and
vehicles at some locations.
Call for details.
Refrigerants, asbestos, oils,
gasoline, petroleum products,
antifreeze, lead-acid batteries,
PCBs, automobile airbags, paint
cans or other paint containers,
acetylene bottles, fluorescent
lamps, neon, high intensity or
mercury vapor lights, circuit
boards, hazardous or toxic
substances, military scrap,
explosives or explosive residues,
radioactive materials, tires, wood,
dirt, yard debris, concrete,
asphalt, glass, rubber or other
non-metallic materials
Fall/Winter 2011-2012
!
G
N
A
G
E
H
ASK T
Q: I know that recycling conserves natural resources
but what does it do for jobs?
A: Recycling not only helps us realize the greatest value of our
natural resources but it also maximizes human resources too.
On average, recycling creates four jobs for every one job in the
waste disposal industry. Overall, recycling creates 1.1 million
U.S. jobs, $236 billion in gross annual sales, and $37 billion in
annual payrolls, according to the National Recycling Coalition.
The benefits of recycling also can be seen throughout the entire
process. For every job collecting recyclables, there are 26 jobs
in processing the materials and manufacturing them into new
products. Locally, there are workers in many aspects of recycling,
including collection (curbside carts, recycling dumpsters, and rolloff containers), processing (fibers, containers, metals, electronics,
organics, construction and demolition waste), and manufacturing
(paper, organics, construction and demolition waste), as well as
non-profit positions and recycling coordinators. See page 5 (and
the contact list below) for local organizations that employ people
in the recycling field.
Q: What do you mean by “check for the neck” when
talking about what plastics are recyclable?
A: There are two things that you need to look for when
determining which plastics are recyclable in Anchorage – 1)
the type of plastic and 2) the shape of the container. First, you
will need to look for the (SP) code, usually on the bottom of the
container. See page 4 for an explanation of the SPI code. Then
you’ll need to “check for the neck” to determine that the plastic
container is a bottle or a jug. Usually it’s a container that primarily
holds liquids. It has to have a neck with a screw top to be
recyclable in Anchorage. For example, a soda bottle has a skinny
neck compared to its body and it has a screw top type closure. A
yogurt tub does not have a neck and it has no screw top - its lid
snaps on. Sometimes the neck is less defined but the screw top
should be the decider. For example, a peanut butter jar can be recycled since
it has a screw top even though its neck is not really well defined. The majority
of #1 PET recyclable bottles are water and soda bottles and the majority of
#2 HDPE recyclable jugs are milk, juice and detergent jugs. There are a few
other containers that fit the requirements, such as some shampoo bottles,
cooking oil bottles and jugs, peanut butter jars (they do have a screw top!) and
parmesan cheese plastic shaker containers.
Other important plastics recycling rules: • Be sure to rinse all containers. Peanut butter jars can be tricky. Fill them with water, let them sit for several hours, pour out half
the water, put the lid back on tightly and shake vigorously. When
you pour out the water, the container should be clean enough to
put in the recycling bin. • Don’t put any plastic bottles or jugs in your recycling cart that
held motor oil or harsh chemicals such as lawn pesticides. Containers that held general household cleaners are acceptable
as long as they are rinsed. Q: Can caps be recycled on my plastic bottles?
A: Up until recently, caps needed to be removed and discarded. However, you
may now leave caps on your plastic bottles when you recycle them. But be
sure to empty the bottles before recycling.
Q: Can I recycle used fryer grease?
A: Yes, Alaska Green Waste Solutions is now accepting CLEAN cooking oil
and grease in CLEAN containers. This means no sink trap grease, only grease
from fryers. The grease can be dropped off at Alaska Waste at 6301 Rosewood,
Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm. Call 563-3717 for more details. The
fee is $1/gallon to drop off grease.
A QUICK LOOK: Waste & Recycling Resources
Alaska Waste..............www.alaskawaste.com..............................563-3717
ALPAR............................www.alparalaska.com...............................274-3266
Anchorage Recycling Center
(RockTenn Recycling – formerly Smurfit-Stone).......................562-2267
Anchorage School
District Recycling......www.asdk12.org/depts/recycling..........348-5151
Central Recycling
Services........................www.centralrecyclingservices.com.......748-7400
EverGreen Nursery...www.alaskaevergreen.com......................344-2588
Girdwood
Recycling.....................girdwoodrecycling2010@gmail.com....242-5520
Fall/Winter 2011-2012
9
Girmscheid Enterprises.............. [email protected]
Green Earth Landworks.............. www.greenearthalaska.com....................243-7892
Hilltop Recycling........................... www.hilltoprecycling.com........................696-2246
MOA Solid Waste Services......... www.muni.org/sws......................................343-6262
Mobile Metals.............................................................................................................277-7777
Schnitzer Steel - Anchorage
(Alaska Metal Recycling)............ www.alaskametalrecycling.com.............349-4833
Southside Recycling.................... [email protected]
Valley Community for
Recycling Solutions (VCRS)....... www.valleyrecycling.org..................907-745-5544
Total Reclaim.................................. www.totalreclaim.com/Alaska.html.....561-0544
www.muni.org/sws
9
Household Hazardous
Waste Collection Options
Energy Efficiency...
www.muni.org/sws –
click on Hazardous Materials Management
Glenn Hw
y.
Drop-off services are FREE for households
only (up to 40 lbs). A hazardous waste
pick-up service is also available on a callin basis. Phone (907) 428-1742 or (907)
343-6262 for further information.
Ea
gle
r
Rive
p Rd.
Loo
The Hazardous Waste
Collection Center is
located at the Anchorage
Regional Landfill, at the
intersection of the Glenn
Highway and Hiland road,
near Eagle River. Hours of Operation:
Tuesday through
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This facility
accepts hazardous wastes from households and
businesses. Get an energy assessment
The Alaska Housing and Finance
Corporation (AHFC) offers an energy assessment program called the Home Energy
Rebate Program. In this program, residents pay out-of-pocket costs to obtain “before”
and “after” energy ratings, and then receive a rebate for these costs. AHFC also offers
the Retrofit Energy Assessment for Loan. To learn more about these opportunities, go
to www.ahfc.state.ak.us/energy/energy.cfm.
Seal tight
and ventilate right
Intl. Airport Rd.
By insulating your home and incorporating
proper air sealing techniques, not only
can you reduce energy use and utility bills,
but you’ll make your home much more
comfortable. Remember, when attempting
any building upgrades, insulation and air
sealing should always complement one
another and be done in conjunction with
moisture control and ventilation. Visit
www.cchrc.org for more information about
safely ventilating and sealing your home.
New Seward Hwy.
Old Seward Hwy.
C St.
The Household Hazardous
Waste Collection Facility
is located at the Central
Transfer Station, at the
intersection of E. 54th and
Juneau, east of the Old
Seward Highway.
October is Alaska Energy Awareness
Month and Alaska Energy Authority,
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation,
and more than 30 statewide partners
making up the Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Working Group have
teamed up to offer tips and programs to
help you reduce your energy use. Find a
calendar of statewide events and more
easy steps you can take to save energy
at www.akenergyefficiency.org.
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday, Thursday, and
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This facility
accepts hazardous waste from households only.
Drop off these household items:
PAINT
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS UPDATES
PAINT THINNERS
GASOLINE
BATTERIES
CLEANERS
FERTILIZER
PESTICIDES
HERBICIDES
• Ammunition is no longer accepted at the Anchorage, Palmer or Wasilla Police
Departments. Contact local shooting ranges for specifics about accepting
ammunition.
• Smoke alarms can be wrapped in newspaper and disposed in the landfill.
USED OIL
ANTIFREEZE
10
• The HHW facility at the landfill will accept one PCB ballast from residents per visit
for a fee of $5 each. No PCB ballasts are accepted from small quantity generators.
www.muni.org/sws
Fall/Winter 2011-2012
...it’s common sen$e
Change your light bulbs
Energy-efficient lighting technologies are becoming more
advanced, cost-effective, and efficient and more purchasing
options are becoming available every day. These options
range from a broad variety of compact fluorescent lamps
(CFLs) to the newest styles of light emitting diodes (LEDs).
Most importantly, changing light bulbs is an easy way to
benefit your wallet. The initial cost may be higher than for traditional light bulbs, but you
will save money in the long run. Visit www.mlandp.com/redesign/save_energy.htm or
www.chugachelectric.com/energy.html for more information on lighting.
Beware of Carbon Monoxide
About 80% of the carbon monoxide (CO) in the ambient air is emitted by motor
vehicles and the highest ambient CO levels occur during the cold winter months
when temperature inversions trap CO emissions close to the ground. Levels
today are less than half what they were two decades ago and Anchorage has not
violated the standard since 1996. However, indoor CO remains a serious concern in
Anchorage. Faulty heating devices or improper venting can result in very high levels
inside homes or other enclosed spaces. Exposure to CO concentrations of 1,200 ppm
or higher can result in serious injury or death. These concentrations are about 100
times higher than the highest levels currently experienced outdoors in Anchorage.
Know the symptoms. The initial symptoms are similar to the flu. Visit www.muni.
org/departments/health/environment/airq for a fact sheet with more information
from the American Red Cross.
Install CO detectors. Be sure you
have them in your home, cabin,
RV, and boat. In your home,
each sleeping area should have
one. Anchorage Municipal
Code now requires carbon
monoxide detectors with alarm
functions to be installed in all
Anchorage dwellings (AMC
23.85).
Are you ready to Plug@20?
Along with getting your shovel out in
preparation for winter, be sure to prepare
your vehicle for the cold. To reduce
engine wear and ensure your car will
start when it’s cold, get ready to use your
engine block heater.
• Don’t have a block
heater? Get an
estimate from your
garage or dealer.
For most vehicles,
installation is less
than $200.
• Shopping for a new car? The window
sticker lists block heaters among the
vehicle options, if installed. On a used
car, the electric plug to the heater often
hangs from the grill. Check to be sure it’s
functional.
• Always plug your car in? Locate your
timer and outdoor extension cord, and
mount the timer near your electrical
receptacle above three feet (snow level).
Instructions for setting the timer are on
the Plug@20 page of www.muni.org/
health. Information about this winter’s
free timer distribution also will be posted
there.
The best use of your block heater is
prior to your daily commute, when
the engine is coldest. Plugging in cuts
carbon monoxide and other air pollution
emissions from your vehicle by nearly
60%. Using a timer to supply electricity to
the heater just two or three hours before
departure is convenient and reduces
electricity costs.
Take precautions. Be sure
all appliances are installed
and serviced by trained
professionals. Do not use
combustibles in enclosed areas
without proper ventilation.
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Call for help. If you feel you
have CO poisoning, call 911.
If you have a CO alarm going
off but feel no CO poisoning
symptoms, call the Anchorage
Fire Department at 267-4950. If
you have questions about CO
alarms, call 343-4200.
Fall/Winter 2011-2012
11
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www.muni.org/sws
11
Anchorage to Zero Waste:
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
Your Guide to Zero Waste in Anchorage
PAID
Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste Services
1111 E. 56th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99518
ANCHORAGE, AK
PERMIT #456
More High-Tech Tools
YouTube
In the last issue, we shared a bunch
of fun and useful web sites and
phone apps. Here are a few more
online options for keeping current.
Did you know that YouTube has a ton of great
environmental resources? Here are just a few.
Live Green www.youtube.com/user/YTLiveGreen –
Your Guide to Eco-Living – new videos posted every week.
1-800-Recycling www.youtube.com/user/1800recycling –
Also visit http://1800recycling.com for web-based recycling
info and a downloadable app for your smart phone.
Steve Trash Network http://www.youtube.com/user/
stevetrashnetwork – videos about trash and recycling for
kids and adults, often incorporating magic.
Podcasts
Listening while you work out,
drive, or eat breakfast can fill
your brain with great new ideas.
Green is Good
http://greenisgood.fm - A weekly
podcast featuring lots of guests and
a variety of topics.
In Next Issue: Rain Gardens
Why wait ‘til Spring?
Coming Soon: Recycled Art
November 15th is America Recycles
Day and in Anchorage this year,
the day will be about creating
art from found and used objects.
It’s not a new idea (it’s a recycled
one!) and lots of amazing art is
created this way so come out to
all the planned events to see what
your fellow Anchoragites can do
with trash! If you like what you
see, you can even buy it. Proceeds
will benefit local artists and
nonprofit organizations dedicated
to reducing waste. Visit www.
americarecyclesday.org and see
page 3 in this issue for November
exhibits, events, and information.
Start planning your rain
garden now. What is it? A
rain garden is a shallow
depression in the landscape
planted with deep-rooted
native plants and grasses and
designed to catch and filter water that runs off
your roof, paved areas, or lawn when it rains. By
catching the runoff and allowing it to soak into
the ground, rain gardens help prevent flooding,
recharge ground water, improve salmon habitat
in our streams, and lower municipal storm
drain maintenance. To learn how to build a
rain garden in your yard or to apply for a minigrant for reimbursement of 50% of the cost of
creating a rain garden (up to $750), go to www.
anchorageraingardens.com or call 343-8084. We’ll
explore rain gardens more in our spring/summer
issue but the first few steps of the process can
be done now so you’re ready to dig in and start
planting when the snow melts. More than 80
official rain gardens have been constructed in
Anchorage so far to help keep our water clean.
stable caution alert
A Message from the Mayor
Dear Neighbor,
The Municipality of Anchorage’s “Energy
Watch” campaign kicks off its third year
this fall. Like prior years, the campaign
focuses on actions citizens can take to
reduce energy use during the winter if
and when natural gas delivery pressures
drop low enough. Long-term solutions
to the natural gas challenge are being
pursued but, in the meantime, please do
your part to conserve energy. Familiarize
yourself with the Energy Watch chart.
Visit www.muni.org/departments/
mayor/energy for information on the
recommended actions.
Sincerely,
Mayor Dan Sullivan