www.muni.org/sws Spring/Summer 20132

Dear Anchorage Resident This is our tenth issue of the Anchorage to Zero Waste Guide. Since we began five years ago, a lot has changed in Anchorage. In conjunction with private-sector businesses, nonprofits, and the support of Anchorage’s citizens, we’ve introduced several new recycling locations, including a full-service drop-off area at the Anchorage Regional Landfill, as well as an entire system of curbside recycling. By the end of this year, all areas of Anchorage, as well as much of Eagle River and Chugiak, will have access to curbside recycling for single-family homes.

In the last five years, we’ve also ushered in the return of glass recycling to Anchorage (see page 4). We’ve seen increased opportunities to recycle construction and demolition debris and to close the recycling loop with locally produced recycled products. We’ve added recycling and a recycling coordinator to the school district, we’ve increased energy efficiency within several Municipal agencies (page 11), and we’ve built a methane gas recovery system at our landfill (page 10). Anchorage is even installing wind turbines on Fire Island to produce a percentage of its electrical power.

Reuse Moose, Recycle Raven, Hazard the Husky, and Waste Prevention Weasel continue to do their part to keep moving toward zero waste in Anchorage. W.P. has been thinking a lot about his yard and garden as the snow begins to melt. His tips for reducing organic waste are on the back cover.

Another topic near and dear to the hearts of our gang is the issue of animals and waste. Page 5 offers tips that will help keep Anchorage clean while protecting its residents – both people and animals.

One change to note on page 8 is that the cardboard recycling bins near King Street, available for businesses, have been removed. This drop-off location was started in 2007 as a pilot program. Since then, recycling habits have been established within the area businesses and commercial recycling opportunities have grown. All the other bins around town are still in place so take advantage of them!

We’ve also improved our ability to reach you with information through Facebook. Several Municipal agencies, including Solid Waste Services, now have Facebook pages to provide timely updates about important programs (search AnchorageSWS). ANCHORAGE RECYCLES on Facebook also provides local recycling information from a variety of sources.

And more changes are coming as we find new ways to reach you with the zero waste message, new outlets to make it easier for you to recycle, and new partners in the community to offer services.

To share your story or to learn more about ours, contact us at recycle@muni.org. Read this and all the archived issues of the A to Z Guide online at www.muni.org/sws.

IMPORTANT EVENT DATES

April 20 Great Cloth Diaper Change

Come by the Baby and Toddler Expo at the Egan Center (555 W. Fifth Ave.) at 10:30am to help break a Guinness World Record™! This third annual, global event seeks to break the current world record for the most reusable cloth diapers changed simultaneously (8,251). Experienced cloth diaper users will be available to provide information and tips. Parents are drawn to reusable diapers for the cost and environmental benefits, but reusables also can have health benefits for babies, and they’re cute to boot! Pre-register online at http://alaskancloth.weebly.com or register at 10:30am onsite.

In 2010, disposable diapers made up 2.3% of solid waste discarded by weight; they are the third largest single consumer item in landfills. On a more personal level, in a household with a child in diapers, disposable diapers can make up 50% of household waste. Studies have shown that in the areas of solid waste, non-renewable resource consumption, and airborne / waterborne wastes, reusable diapers create less of a negative impact than their disposable counterparts. In the area of water consumption, both types have similar impacts.

April 20 Scoop the Poop Day

Anchorage has an estimated 73,774 dogs eliminating approximately 0.32 pounds of waste per dog, per day. That adds up to more than 10 tons of waste produced every day. A significant amount of that fecal matter is deposited in parks, common areas, and neighborhoods and is left to dissolve and run off into local water bodies. Come out and help clean up between 11am and 3pm at University Lake. Check www.anchoragecreeks.org for additional locations and to volunteer.

April 22 Scoop the Poop on BLM Campbell Tract Trails

The Bureau of Land Management is organizing an evening Scoop the Poop from 5pm to 8pm at Campbell Tract. Volunteer at Smokejumper Trailhead, off Elmore Rd, near intersection of E. 68th; or Campbell Airstrip Trailhead, at mile 1.1 on Campbell Airstrip Rd. Contact Jorjena Daly at JDaly@blm.gov for more information.

April 22 Earth Day

Celebrate Earth Day by visiting www.earthday.org to register your planned community events and your individual actions as part of the Earth Day Network’s “A Billion Acts of Green” campaign.

Spring/Summer 2013 3

www.muni.org/sws 3

Anchorage to Zero Waste, Your A to Z Guide, Volume 6, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2013, is published by the Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste Services using funds from a $1.50/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.Download current and past issues of the A to Z Guide at www.muni.org/sws. For inquiries about the A to Z Guide or suggestions for topics, email recycle@muni.org.

Table of ContentsImportant Event Dates ................................................... 2-3Glass Recycling ...................................................................... 4Animals and Zero Waste .................................................... 5Anchorage Recycling Guide ......................................... 6-7Recycling Drop-off Locations and Curbside Map ..... 8Ask the Gang ......................................................................... .9Waste and Recycling Resources ...................................... 9Household Hazardous Waste .........................................10Air Quality .............................................................................10Energy Efficiency ...............................................................11Organics at Home ...............................................................12

• Providence Medical Arts Pharmacy, 3300 Providence Dr.

• Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson Exchange, for base residents

April 27 National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Dispose of unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medicines at these safe disposal sites between 10am and 2pm. For more information, call 211.

• Fred Meyer at Debarr & Muldoon • Fred Meyer at Abbott & Lake Otis• Fred Meyer in Eagle River • Carrs at Sears Mall and Aurora Village

Dispose of unused or expired medicines year-round:

Anchorage Police Department, Building Lobby, 4501 Elmore Road, Monday - Friday, 8am – 8pm

UAA Police Department, Eugene Short Hall, 2601 Providence Drive, 24 hours/7 days a week

April 27 - May 4 Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Citywide Cleanup Week

This 45th annual event brings together local businesses, organizations, schools and the Municipality of Anchorage to rid the city’s streets and neighborhoods of trash. Visit www.citywidecleanup.org for event details and changes to Free Dump Days.

May 17 Bike to Work Day

Register to ride as an individual or a team, sign up for a Smart Cycling class using the League of American Bicyclists curriculum, or schedule a bike-safety presentation for your workplace or group at www.muni.org/BiketoWorkDay.

May 18 Creek Cleanup

Help clean up Anchorage’s creeks and streams. Call 907-27-CREEK or email cherie@anchoragecreeks.org to volunteer, sponsor, or if you see large collections of trash and debris in or near a creek or wetland. Visit www.anchoragecreeks.org for details.

May – August 24 Season-long Plastic Nursery Pot Recycling

Bring your plastic nursery pots and trays, clean and stacked, to Faltz Nursery, 1401 Labar St. (near Huffman Post Office), Mon – Fri, 8 am to 6 pm, and Sat & Sun, 9 am to 5 pm. Call 349-3482 for details.

August 24 Annual Nursery Pot Recycling Drop-off Event

Start saving your nursery pots now and drop them off for recycling between10am and 5pm, at the Alaska Botanical Garden parking lot (off Campbell Airstrip Road, 1 block S. of Tudor, at Benny Benson school). Two categories of pots accepted: 1) #2 HDPE pots and 2) #5 PP, #6 PS and #7 Other pots, cell packs and trays. Last year’s event set a new record, collecting 2.8 tons of plastic pots for recycling (4,580 pounds) and reuse (1,000 pounds). Visit www.alparalaska.com for details.

Note: Nurseries, Landscapers, and Greenhouses – This event is for residents only. Special drop-off for businesses available August 13-17 at the Anchorage Recycling Center, 6161 Rosewood (off Dowling Rd.), during regular business hours, 9am to 4pm.

IMPORTANT EVENT DATES

April 19, 20, 21

Alaska’s Largest Women’s Consignment Event Palmer Train Depot (610 S. Valley Way, Palmer)

Consign49 offers a great way to clean out your closets, renew your look, earn extra cash, and participate in a fun and productive community event, all in one place. Seasonal consignment

sales are an excellent way to earn money by

selling all those nearly new things you briefly

wore! You prepare and price your items using

a quick and easy online inventory system, then drop them off one or two days

prior to the sale. Consign49 does the rest. To volunteer

or consign your stuff, contact info@consign49.com. Visit www.consign49.com for all the details.

www.muni.org/sws Spring/Summer 20134

How to recycle glass:• Remove lids, caps, and corks. • Rinse out glass bottles and jars. • Keep glass separate from your curbside recycling. • Bring bottles and jars to a drop-off site.

Drop-off site:

• Anchorage Recycling Center, 6161 Rosewood Street -- 24 hours, 7 days a week

DO NOT put glass in curbside recycling carts.

Recycle glass bottles and jars only. Keep boxes and bags out of the glass bin. Do not leave any recyclables or trash on the ground. Materials left on the ground are considered litter, which increases costs and threatens the future of glass recycling.

DO NOT include:

• Pyrex, laboratory glass, windshield glass, porcelain, ceramics, TV/computer glass

• Boxes or bags• Lids, caps, or corks

The key to a successful glass recycling program in Anchorage is the completion of the recycling loop. All three steps of the recycling process are vital – collection and processing, manufacturing, and purchasing of the end product.

Where Does It Go? Central Recycling Services (CRS) processes the glass at its Ship Creek facility. CRS was already crushing concrete, and recently added an air density separator (like a giant vacuum cleaner) to make the job easier. This equipment removes debris from glass, like paper and plastic, leaving a uniformly crushed product with very little contamination.

In 2012, both the Municipality of Anchorage and State of Alaska updated their material specifications to allow crushed glass aggregate to be blended and used in construction projects as pipe bedding, trench backfill, leveling course, road base, and sub-base.

Incorporation of crushed recycled glass in construction projects is a “high volume, low value” use, offering a stable first opportunity as glass recycling is reintroduced to the Anchorage area and ensuring that all of the supply is used. Since the program was reintroduced in mid-November 2012, monthly collection quantities have doubled, to almost 70 tons per month currently.

Higher value, but lower volume, uses for glass will continue to be developed. Potential products include landscaping leveling material, pavers, traction material, and filtration medium. Some small-scale uses for glass already exist and are likely to continue. For example, Glacierstone has been locally manufacturing and installing recycled-glass countertops since 2011. A grant from SWS allowed them to purchase of a new finish polisher and triple their productivity.

Glass Recycling

Many agencies and organizations were involved in bringing glass recycling back to Anchorage and will continue behind the scenes to keep it going. Thanks to:

Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste Services, Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling (ALPAR), Central Recycling Services, RockTenn, MOA Public Works, Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility (AWWU), Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) and the numerous supporters of glass recycling.

JBER’s StoryIn 2011, the 673d Civil Engineer Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson wrote a letter of interest to the Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste Services regarding the development of recycled-content specifications for applications in construction projects at JBER. The 673 CES has now incorporated Municipality of Anchorage specifications for crushed glass, recycled-concrete aggregate, and recycled-asphalt pavement into JBER specifications. The Alaska District of the Army Corps of Engineers is also creating specifications to address recycled-aggregate materials on JBER projects. Potential future uses of crushed glass at JBER could include pipe bedding, trench backfill, and leveling course material.

Kenai’s StoryAt the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s central landfill in Soldotna, all they need to recycle glass is a bulldozer to crush it. This results in a crushed glass that can is used as a sub-base for building roads on the sandy soils into and out of the landfill. Normally the borough buys gravel for this process at a cost of $17 per yard. Reusing the glass saves the borough 75 to 100 cubic yards of space each year. The borough has been reusing glass since the early 90s and some of the crushed glass is used to control drainage at the landfill. Glass is accepted at all transfer facilities across the borough, and it is crushed in Soldotna or Homer.

Spring/Summer 2013 5

www.muni.org/sws 5

Animals and Zero Waste

Protect NeighborhoodsBe Bear Aware. April is “Bear Awareness Month” in Alaska. It’s the month when bears typically emerge from their dens looking for food for themselves and their young. Mismanaging your trash can attract bears, which can have severe consequences for you, your neighbors, and the bears. It is a violation of Alaska statute to feed bears, even unintentionally, and many Alaska communities have additional ordinances requiring residents to keep trash out of reach of bears. Here are a few tips for preventing bear problems in your neighborhood:

• Trash - Store trash securely inside your home, garage, shed, or other bear-resistant enclosure. Don’t put trash out until the morning of your collection day.

• Gardens and Compost - Plant gardens in the open, away from cover and game trails. Do not compost animal products (with the exception of crushed egg shells). Cover your compost with a layer of finished compost, a tarp, or lid. An electric fence used properly can keep bears out of gardens and compost piles. A more dependable technique is to compost only yard waste in backyard compost piles or bins.

• Livestock and Beehives - Secure your livestock, including chickens, and/or beehives behind electric fences and store feed in a secure building or in bear-resistant containers.

• Bird Feeders - Bird seed is high in protein and fat, exactly what a hungry bear is looking for in the spring. Take down bird feeders from April through October. Clean up dropped seeds and hulls.

• Barbecues and Smokers - Regularly clean barbecue grills and smokers, especially the grease trap, after each use.

• Pet Food - Feed pets indoors or pick up excess and spilled food between meals.

• Freezers - Keep freezers locked in a secure building or otherwise out of reach of bears.

• Fish-cleaning Waste - Do not discard fish waste in Anchorage neighborhoods or waterways. Improperly discarding fish is against State and Municipal laws and violators can be subject to fines. To properly dispose of unwanted fish or fish carcasses, follow these recommendations:

If fish is not spoiled and is well packaged, donate it to Bean’s Café (www.beanscafe.org), which serves meals to the homeless. The Alaska Zoo (346-3242), Bird Treatment and Learning Center (562-4852), and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (783-2025) will usually accept fish donations. Fish cannot be spoiled, smoked, flavored or badly freezer burned. Call each facility prior to donating. Filleted carcasses and other fish waste should be taken directly to a waste transfer station or to the landfill. Or freeze fish waste to eliminate odors and place it in your trash on the morning of trash pickup. Do not put waste out the night before trash pickup.

Scoop the Poop. It’s a year-round job to keep our streets, parks, and yards free of dog waste to protect our waterways.

• Carry plastic poop bags with you when you walk your dog, and use them!

• Carry a few extras in case another dog-walker is without one. Sometimes people do forget.

• Know where poop bag stations are located. Visit www.anchoragecreeks.org and go to the Scoop the Poop page for a map of all 56 dog refuse stations in the Anchorage area.

Animals, humans, and waste are linked in many ways. Our actions can adversely affect animals and can cause problems for our neighborhoods and our waterways.

For resource information, see page 10

Keep It in Your Can. Improperly storing trash not only attracts bears but other animals, such as ravens.  Ravens can get into a trash bin or dumpster if its lid is not firmly closed, ripping apart the contents and dispersing the debris.

• Be sure to close lids on trash and recycling cans and carts.

• If you live in a windy area, be sure to secure lids. Remember that straps and closures must be removed on your collection day so automated trucks can empty the containers.

Protect Marine WildlifeEntanglement in nondegradable trash, such as plastic loops, bands, and fishing lines, is a big problem for marine wildlife, resulting in injury and death.

• Lose the loop. Cut and discard any loop that could entangle marine animals.

• Go bandless. Support the elimination of plastic packing bands (found on cardboard bait boxes and other shipping boxes).

• Keep marine debris out of the ocean especially loops, lines, and rope.

• Recover and recycle monofilament line. Support the use and development of biodegradable fishing gear.

www.muni.org/sws Spring/Summer 20136

As mixedpaper

As mixedpaper

non-ferrous*

only

Carrs / Fred Meyer / Lowe’s / Target/ Walmart store entryways (grocery bags only)

Downtown: 239 W. 4th (C St. between 3rd & 4th)

Anchorage Daily News (1001 Northway Dr.)

Hilltop Recycling (16849 Old Glenn Hwy., Chugiak) (non-ferrous* only)Mobile Metals (non-ferrous* only)

Anchorage Regional Land�ll and Central Transfer Station (appliances only)Hilltop Recycling (16849 Old Glenn Hwy., Chugiak) (non-ferrous* only)Mobile Metals (non-ferrous* only)

Anchorage Regional Land�ll Hazardous Waste Collection Center (for businesses only)Best Buy (all locations)

Home Depot (all locations)

Other LocationsCurbside

Programs

Anchorage Recycling

Center

Land�ll Recycling

Area

Carrs parking

lots

CentralRecyclingServices

SchnitzerSteel

TotalReclaimMATERIAL

Duringbusiness

hours

duringJune

Plastic Bottles

Plastic Jugs

Plastic Bags and Film

Glass Bottles and Jars

O�ce Paper / Mixed Paper

Cardboard

Newspaper

Telephone Books

Aluminum Cans

Steel Cans

Scrap metals(fees apply in some cases)

Electronics(fees apply in most cases)

FluorescentLamps/CFLs**

ANCHORAGE RECYCLING GUIDE

*Non-ferrous metals include aluminum, brass, and copper. They don’t stick to a magnet. **Fluorescent lamps also can be taken to SWS hazardous waste facilities for proper disposal. See page 10.

RECYCLERS CONTACT INFORMATION

Alaska Waste ...................................................... www.alaskawaste.com .................................................................................. 563-3717

Solid Waste Services ........................................ www.muni.org/sws ......................................................................................... 343-6250

Anchorage Recycling Center ......................... 6161 Rosewood St.................................................................................................. 562-2267

Land�ll Recycling Area ................................... 15500 E. Eagle River Loop Rd, Fort Richardson (for mapping purposes) ................. 343-6262

Carrs Parking Lots ............................................. see page 8 for details.

Central Recycling Services ............................ 2400 Railroad Ave. - www.centralrecyclingservices.com............................ 248-7400

Schnitzer Steel ................................................. 9705 King Street - www.alaskametalrecycling.com.................................... 349-4833

Total Reclaim ..................................................... 12101 Industry Way, Unit C4 - www.totalreclaim.com/alaska.html........... 561-0544

What’s accepted

#1 PET bottles with neck and screw top (beverage bottles), caps

#2 HDPE jugs with neck and screw top (milk and detergent jugs), caps

Stretchy plastic �lm, like grocery bags, drycleaner bags, bubble wrap, stretch wrap, shrink wrap

Glass bottles and jars, rinsed

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

Corrugated boxesClean pizza boxesBrown paper grocery bags

Newspaper and its inserts

Telephone directories

Aluminum beverage cans, rinsed (don’t stick to magnets)

Steel food and beverage cans, rinsed (DO stick to magnets)

Aluminum cans, aluminum scrap, brass, copper, stainless steel, radiators, lead, tin, cables. Appliances and vehicles at some locations. Call for details

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 and most media (�oppies, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes)

Whole long tubular �uorescent lamps, round tubular lamps, small screw-in or pop-in compact �uorescent lamps of all styles

What to leave out

Other numbered plastics, plastic produce and take-out containers

Other numbered plastics, cups, tubs, oil/chemical containers

Food-contaminated bags, bags with paper labels a�xed, crinkly �lm like cereal box liners and snack bags

Pyrex, laboratory glass, windshield glass, porcelain, ceramics, TV/computer glass, boxes, bags, lids, caps, or corks

Milk cartons, juice boxes, hardcover books (unless binding and cover are removed), binder clips, plastic or metal bindings

Waxed corrugated, Fish boxesNon-corrugated paper, Cereal BoxesSoiled, wet cardboard

Plastic bags, other paper

Other paper, plastic bags

Scrap metal, steel, aluminum foil, aluminum pet food cans

Scrap metal, aluminum

Refrigerants, asbestos, oils, gasoline, petroleum products, antifreeze, lead-acid batteries, PCBs, automobile airbags, paint cans or other paint containers, acetylene bottles, �uorescent 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

Smoke detectors, vacuum cleaners, EXIT signs, lighting ballasts

Ballasts, broken lamps, incandescent light bulbs, LED lamps

ANCHORAGE RECYCLING GUIDE

Bottle Caps Are OkayYou can now recycle plastic caps from your bottles and jugs. The best way to do this is to empty the bottle or jug, �atten or crush it if possible and put the screw cap back on before tossing it in your recycling bin.

Left Items Are LitterItems left outside of the designated bins at any recycling location are considered litter and will be discarded as trash. If the bin is full, please don’t leave your items near the bin as it will not be recycled. Excessive littering around bins jeopardizes the future of the recycling program.

If In Doubt,Leave It OutRead all signage on recycling bins and follow instructions. If an item is not on the list of acceptable items, don’t put it in the bin.

Curbside TipsObserve all rules of your curbside program. Leave at least three feet of space around and between your carts so the automated trucks have enough room to pick them up. Close the lid completely on your cart, and be sure the handle is facing your house. Check for obstacles like snow banks, mailboxes, trees, cars, and telephone poles when setting out your carts. Items left outside the cart are only collected if you have called in a request prior to your collection day.

Flatten Your CardboardWhether you’re recycling curbside or at a drop-o� location, �atten your cardboard so it �ts! Un�attened cardboard increases the labor costs of recycling by increasing the number of times bins need to be hauled.

Spring/Summer 2013 7

www.muni.org/sws 7

As mixedpaper

As mixedpaper

non-ferrous*

only

Carrs / Fred Meyer / Lowe’s / Target/ Walmart store entryways (grocery bags only)

Downtown: 239 W. 4th (C St. between 3rd & 4th)

Anchorage Daily News (1001 Northway Dr.)

Hilltop Recycling (16849 Old Glenn Hwy., Chugiak) (non-ferrous* only)Mobile Metals (non-ferrous* only)

Anchorage Regional Land�ll and Central Transfer Station (appliances only)Hilltop Recycling (16849 Old Glenn Hwy., Chugiak) (non-ferrous* only)Mobile Metals (non-ferrous* only)

Anchorage Regional Land�ll Hazardous Waste Collection Center (for businesses only)Best Buy (all locations)

Home Depot (all locations)

Other LocationsCurbside

Programs

Anchorage Recycling

Center

Land�ll Recycling

Area

Carrs parking

lots

CentralRecyclingServices

SchnitzerSteel

TotalReclaimMATERIAL

Duringbusiness

hours

duringJune

Plastic Bottles

Plastic Jugs

Plastic Bags and Film

Glass Bottles and Jars

O�ce Paper / Mixed Paper

Cardboard

Newspaper

Telephone Books

Aluminum Cans

Steel Cans

Scrap metals(fees apply in some cases)

Electronics(fees apply in most cases)

FluorescentLamps/CFLs**

ANCHORAGE RECYCLING GUIDE

*Non-ferrous metals include aluminum, brass, and copper. They don’t stick to a magnet. **Fluorescent lamps also can be taken to SWS hazardous waste facilities for proper disposal. See page 10.

RECYCLERS CONTACT INFORMATION

Alaska Waste ...................................................... www.alaskawaste.com .................................................................................. 563-3717

Solid Waste Services ........................................ www.muni.org/sws ......................................................................................... 343-6250

Anchorage Recycling Center ......................... 6161 Rosewood St.................................................................................................. 562-2267

Land�ll Recycling Area ................................... 15500 E. Eagle River Loop Rd, Fort Richardson (for mapping purposes) ................. 343-6262

Carrs Parking Lots ............................................. see page 8 for details.

Central Recycling Services ............................ 2400 Railroad Ave. - www.centralrecyclingservices.com............................ 248-7400

Schnitzer Steel ................................................. 9705 King Street - www.alaskametalrecycling.com.................................... 349-4833

Total Reclaim ..................................................... 12101 Industry Way, Unit C4 - www.totalreclaim.com/alaska.html........... 561-0544

What’s accepted

#1 PET bottles with neck and screw top (beverage bottles), caps

#2 HDPE jugs with neck and screw top (milk and detergent jugs), caps

Stretchy plastic �lm, like grocery bags, drycleaner bags, bubble wrap, stretch wrap, shrink wrap

Glass bottles and jars, rinsed

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

Corrugated boxesClean pizza boxesBrown paper grocery bags

Newspaper and its inserts

Telephone directories

Aluminum beverage cans, rinsed (don’t stick to magnets)

Steel food and beverage cans, rinsed (DO stick to magnets)

Aluminum cans, aluminum scrap, brass, copper, stainless steel, radiators, lead, tin, cables. Appliances and vehicles at some locations. Call for details

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 and most media (�oppies, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes)

Whole long tubular �uorescent lamps, round tubular lamps, small screw-in or pop-in compact �uorescent lamps of all styles

What to leave out

Other numbered plastics, plastic produce and take-out containers

Other numbered plastics, cups, tubs, oil/chemical containers

Food-contaminated bags, bags with paper labels a�xed, crinkly �lm like cereal box liners and snack bags

Pyrex, laboratory glass, windshield glass, porcelain, ceramics, TV/computer glass, boxes, bags, lids, caps, or corks

Milk cartons, juice boxes, hardcover books (unless binding and cover are removed), binder clips, plastic or metal bindings

Waxed corrugated, Fish boxesNon-corrugated paper, Cereal BoxesSoiled, wet cardboard

Plastic bags, other paper

Other paper, plastic bags

Scrap metal, steel, aluminum foil, aluminum pet food cans

Scrap metal, aluminum

Refrigerants, asbestos, oils, gasoline, petroleum products, antifreeze, lead-acid batteries, PCBs, automobile airbags, paint cans or other paint containers, acetylene bottles, �uorescent 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

Smoke detectors, vacuum cleaners, EXIT signs, lighting ballasts

Ballasts, broken lamps, incandescent light bulbs, LED lamps

ANCHORAGE RECYCLING GUIDE

Bottle Caps Are OkayYou can now recycle plastic caps from your bottles and jugs. The best way to do this is to empty the bottle or jug, �atten or crush it if possible and put the screw cap back on before tossing it in your recycling bin.

Left Items Are LitterItems left outside of the designated bins at any recycling location are considered litter and will be discarded as trash. If the bin is full, please don’t leave your items near the bin as it will not be recycled. Excessive littering around bins jeopardizes the future of the recycling program.

If In Doubt,Leave It OutRead all signage on recycling bins and follow instructions. If an item is not on the list of acceptable items, don’t put it in the bin.

Curbside TipsObserve all rules of your curbside program. Leave at least three feet of space around and between your carts so the automated trucks have enough room to pick them up. Close the lid completely on your cart, and be sure the handle is facing your house. Check for obstacles like snow banks, mailboxes, trees, cars, and telephone poles when setting out your carts. Items left outside the cart are only collected if you have called in a request prior to your collection day.

Flatten Your CardboardWhether you’re recycling curbside or at a drop-o� location, �atten your cardboard so it �ts! Un�attened cardboard increases the labor costs of recycling by increasing the number of times bins need to be hauled.

www.muni.org/sws Spring/Summer 20138

12

14

9

1

18

3

7

5

13

11

17

10

4

16

15

6

All SWS customers currently receiving residential or business can/bag service will receive noti�cation in the mail at least two months prior to switching to automated service.

Elm

ore Rd.

N Eagle River Loop Rd.

Old G

lenn H

wy.

Glenn

Hw

y.

2

8

19

Birchwood Loop Rd.

Homestead Rd.Glen

n H

wy.Birchwood

Airport

Glacier Rd.

Knik Vista

Rankin Rd. Reese Rd.

Greatland Dr.

CHUGIAK

Cook Inlet

MirrorLake

EdmondsLake

Thu

nd

er b ird Dr.

See page 9 for your service provider’s contact information

Commingled Curbside Recycling Service Areas:

=

=

Downtown: 239 W. 4th (C St. between 3rd & 4th - Entrance on 3rd) - Cardboard only

Anchorage Regional Land�ll (hours limited to land�ll hours) Accepts cardboard, mixed paper, newspaper, aluminum cans, #1 PET plastic bottles, #2 HDPE plastic jugs, glass bottles and jars

Anchorage Recycling Center 6161 Rosewood St.Accepts steel cans, cardboard, mixed paper, newspaper, aluminum cans, #1 PET plastic bottles, #2 HDPE plastic jugs, plastic bags, glass bottles and jars

Brown Jug Warehouse 4140 Old Seward Hwy.Aluminum cans only

Carrs, Abbott Road 1725 Abbott Rd.*

Carrs, Aurora Village 1650 W. Northern Lights Blvd.*

Carrs, Debarr Road 5600 Debarr Rd.*

Carrs, Eagle River 11409 Business Park Blvd.*

Carrs, Gambell Road 1340 Gambell Rd.*

Carrs, Hu�man Road 1501 E. Hu�man Rd.*

Northwood ABC Elementary 4807 Northwood Dr.*Wonder Park Elementary 5101 E. 4th Ave.*

Lake Otis Elementary 3331 Lake Otis Pkwy.*Mears Middle School 2700 W. 100th Ave.*

5

4

3

2

1

17

18

19

16

13

14

15

6

Carrs, Jewel Lake 4000 W. Dimond Blvd.*Carrs, Mall at Sears 600 E. Northern Lights Blvd.*Carrs, Muldoon Road 7731 E. Northern Lights Blvd.*Carrs, Northway Mall 3101 Penland Pkwy.*Inlet View Elementary 1219 N St.* 10

12

11

987

*Carrs and school locations listed here accept newspaper and aluminum cans only.

Recycling Drop-o� Locations in Anchorage: All sites are available 24/7 except the AnchorageRegional Land�ll.

Spring/Summer 2013 9

www.muni.org/sws 9

Q: We are remodeling our house. Where can I get rid of kitchen and bathroom cabinets and fixtures?

A: Consider donating your old cabinetry, fixtures, and other usable demolition materials to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore (5023 Cordova St., Anchorage). The ReStore is a retail business selling donated new and used building materials, electrical fixtures, appliances, and kitchen cabinets at greatly reduced prices. The ReStore differs from other donation/resale stores such as Value Village and the Salvation Army in that it targets building materials. It does not accept clothing or regular household items. The ReStore can arrange for pick-up for most materials and all donations are tax deductible. Please call ahead or check the website before dropping them off to ensure that your items are acceptable.

Q: Where can I find inexpensive or free supplies to help with my remodel?

A: A couple of different options exist in Anchorage. As discussed above, the ReStore offers building and remodeling supplies for greatly reduced prices. Since the ReStore’s opening in November 2004, it has diverted more than six million pounds of material from the Anchorage landfill, and the income generated from the ReStore is used to build more homes for low-income families and to support administrative expenses. You’ll find new and used building supplies.

Habitat for Humanity ReStorewww.hfhanchorage.org - 743-8060

Another place to look if you need paint, stain, or cleaning supplies is the Municipality’s Paint & Materials Exchange. With locations at the Anchorage Regional Landfill and the Central Transfer Station, the Exchange takes in between 50 and 100 gallons of paint each week. Sometimes paint cans even come in unopened.

Paint & Materials Exchange - www.muni.org/sws (click on Hazardous Materials Management link) 428-1742

Also visit the Alaska Materials Exchange, Craigslist, and Freecycle online to find items.

Q: Sometimes I just can’t use reusable plates, cups, or cutlery. How can I “green” my purchase of disposables?

A: Whether the crowd is just too big, you don’t have dishwashing facilities, or the items won’t be returned to you, sometimes you just need to use disposable service items. You can make your use of disposables a little more “green” by using items that are degradable and/or use less energy to produce. Look for basic paper plates that could go in your compost bin or if you’d like something more substantial,

look for degradable plastics. Even if they never make it to a composting facility, they are made with renewable

materials, like plant starch, unlike actual plastics that are made from petroleum products. They also

require less energy to manufacture.

Green Alaska Solutions offers a wide variety of hot and cold

cups, food containers and trays, cutlery, plates, bowls, and more.

Green Alaska Solutions www.greenalaskasolutions.com 351-4195

ASK THE GANG!

Alaska Waste..............www.alaskawaste.com .............................563-3717

ALPAR ...........................www.alparalaska.com ..............................274-3266

Anchorage Recycling Center ..........................................................562-2267

Anchorage School District Recycling .....www.asdk12.org/depts/recycling .........348-5151

Central Recycling Services .......................www.centralrecyclingservices.com ......748-7400

Girdwood Recycling ....................girdwoodrecycling2010@gmail.com ...242-5520GirmscheidEnterprises ................. prodigalson@gci.net .................................770-1720

Green Star ..................................... www.greenstarinc.org ..........278-7827

Hilltop Recycling .......................... www.hilltoprecycling.com .......................696-2246

MOA Solid Waste Services ........ www.muni.org/sws .....................................343-6262

MOA SWS Customer Service (for excess waste and bulky pick-ups) .....343-6250

Mobile Metals ............................................................................................................277-7777

Recycling Solutions of Alaska www.rsalaska.net ............ rsalaska@gmail.com ..................................242-9587

Schnitzer Steel - Anchorage ... www.alaskametalrecycling.com ............349-4833

Total Reclaim ................................. www.totalreclaim.com/Alaska.html ....561-0544

Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (VCRS) ...... www.valleyrecycling.org .................907-745-5544

A QUICK LOOK: Waste & Recycling Resources

www.muni.org/sws Spring/Summer 201310

Drop-off services are FREE for households only (up to 40 lbs). 

A hazardous waste pick-up service is available on a call-in basis.  Call (907)

428-1742 for further information.

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. Reuse Area hours are same as above. 

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.

Hours of Operation: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This facility accepts hazardous waste from households only. NOTE: New hours for the Reuse Area only, Tues, Thurs, and Sat, 8:00 a.m. to noon.

Please note: Construction on the New Seward Highway and the frontage roads near the Central Transfer Station is ongoing. Look for changes in traffic patterns.

HouseholdHazardous Waste

www.muni.org/sws – click on Hazardous Materials Management

Drop off these household items:

Gle

nn H

wy.

Eagle River Loop Rd.

Air Quality

CLEANERSPESTICIDESHERBICIDESUSED OILANTIFREEZE

PAINTPAINT THINNERS

GASOLINEBATTERIESFERTILIZER

C S

t.

Old S

eward H

wy.

New

Sew

ard Hw

y.Intl. Airport Rd.

Be In The Know!People Mover continues to make it easier and more efficient for residents to ride the bus, reducing traffic congestion issues and the air quality problems that go along with too many cars on the road.

People Mover encourages its passengers to sign up for Flash Alert to be notified in case of weather delays, suspended service, or other types of emergencies affecting bus service. Choose to receive email, text, or Twitter alerts. A smartphone is not required.

Just visit www.flashalert.net and click Anchorage on the map, choose Transportation, and click on People Mover to enter your information and choose how you wish to be alerted. Make your commute run smoothly!

Landfill Gas Project UpdateFor years, the Anchorage Regional Landfill, adjacent to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), collected and burned landfill gas, primarily methane, to comply with USEPA

regulations. With an eye to the future, officials at JBER, the Municipality of Anchorage, and Doyon Utilities put their heads together to find a way to convert the landfill gas into usable energy for the base. What resulted was the JBER Landfill Gas Waste-to-Energy Plant, projected to generate more than 56,000 megawatt hours or 26.2% of JBER’s electrical load. The plant will reduce greenhouse gas emissions (methane) by 13,944 tons annually and is projected to save $73.6M over the 46-year project lifecycle. The landfill gas plant began producing electricity in 2012 and preliminary analysis of performance factors indicates plant energy production is exceeding expectations.

The plant ensures JBER will more than exceed renewable energy goals established by Executive Orders 13423 and 13514, and Section 203 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. These mandates require federal agencies to use renewable energy to meet at least 7.5% of total electric consumption beginning in 2013. Not only is the plant important from a regulatory standpoint, but it was the right thing to do for a sustainable community.

Resources for Animals and Zero Waste (continued from page 5)

Bear Awarehttp://bears.muni.orgwww.alaskabears.alaska.govwww.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSportFishingInfo.fishingwithbears

Compostingwww.aswcd.org/archives.html www.uaf.edu/ces/ah/soils/#compost

Watershed Protectionwww.anchoragecreeks.org/pages/scoopthepoop_about.phpwww.muni.org/Departments/health/Admin/animal_control/Pages/scoop.aspx

Marine Wildlife Entanglementwww.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=marinemammalprogram.stellerentanglementsalaskafisheries.noaa.gov/protectedresources/entanglement

Spring/Summer 2013 11

www.muni.org/sws 11

Energy Efficiency

Transit is Lighting the Way to Lower Costs In 2006, soon after light-emitting diode (LED) technology became available, the Anchorage Public Transportation Department (Transit) began replacing its facility and bus stop lighting with LED fixtures. This change has not only eliminated the need to change out light bulbs, thus reducing labor needs, it has lowered operational costs by reducing both utility and vehicle fuel consumption. And staff availability has been increased for other tasks. Transit believes it will realize additional savings when it replaces the lighting in its administration building in the near future.

More recently, through a $1 million American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant, Transit replaced more than 900 light fixtures on its campus with LEDs and high-efficiency fluorescent lamps, coupled with new lighting controls including new timers, motion sensors, and photo cells. The higher quality lighting has provided maintenance staff a more productive and safer work environment and reduced Transit’s electrical utility costs by 35% across its five acres of buildings.

The Evolution of Light BulbsIt’s coming! The phase-out of several types of incandescent light bulbs is underway. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 laid out requirements for energy savings through improved standards for both appliances and lighting, among many other energy-saving initiatives.

On December 31, 2011, manufacturers stopped production of 100-watt incandescent light bulbs. You’re probably still able to buy them, however, because the Act does not forbid retailers from selling existing inventory. Other wattages will be discontinued soon, but like the 100-watt bulbs, you’ll be able to buy these bulbs as long as stores still have them. Most specialty, colored, candelabra, and other shaped bulbs are not affected by these phase-outs.

So when they are gone, what do you do? You have three choices: compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and halogen light bulbs. These new light sources offer more light (lumens) for the amount of energy used (watts), making them more

efficient but, to make the switch, you may need to learn a new number system. Since we’ve all gotten used to wattage as a way to buy light bulbs, and we have a good sense of how bright a 75-watt or a 100-watt bulb is, most labels now compare to incandescent wattage to help us buy CFLs or LEDs. Other labels are leading us toward understanding how many lumens we want so we’re not relying on wattage numbers.

In general, a 23-watt CFL replaces a 100-watt incandescent. LEDs aren’t yet bright enough to replace a 100 watt bulb, but you can expect to see several that do in the next one or two years. If CFLs and LEDs are a little too different, halogens may be for you. A 72-watt halogen replaces a 100-watt incandescent and looks and functions almost identically to an incandescent.

JANUARy 2012:

• 100-watt incandescent bulbs no longer produced, but you can continue to buy existing inventory.

• Replace them with a 23-watt CFL or a 72-watt halogen.

• No LEDs to replace them yet, but expect them soon.

JANUARy 2013:

• 75-watt incandescent bulbs no longer produced, but you can continue to buy existing inventory.

• Replace them with an 18-watt CFL or a 53-watt halogen.

• No LEDs to replace them yet, but expect them soon.

JANUARy 2014:

• Both 40-watt and 60-watt incandescent bulbs no longer produced, but you can continue to buy existing inventory.

• Replace a 40-watt bulb with a 9-watt CFL or a 29-watt halogen.

• Replace a 60-watt bulb with a 13-watt CFL or a 43-watt halogen.

• Plenty of LEDs to replace these, of various wattages.

HOW MUCH LIGHT DO I NEED?

25 250 4 – 9

40 450 9 – 13

60 800 13 – 15

75 1,100 18 – 25

100 1,600 23 – 30

125 2,000 22 – 40

150 2,600 40 – 45

Inca

ndes

cent

Bul

bs (W

atts)

Min

imum

Ligh

t Out

put

(Lu

men

s)

Com

mon

CLF

s (

Wat

ts)

Anchorage to Zero Waste: Your Guide to Zero Waste in Anchorage Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste Services1111 E. 56th AvenueAnchorage, AK 99518

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDANCHORAGE, AK

PERMIT #456

ORGANICS AT HOMEThe best and least expensive way to manage your organic waste is to do it at home. A few changes to your yard maintenance habits, and maybe getting a compost bin, will reduce your trash bill and improve your yard and garden.

Lawn MaintenanceThe grass and leaves you typically remove from your lawn can actually benefit your lawn if you properly manage them. Finely chop both grass and leaves with a mulching mower or just mow frequently enough so you’re only cutting off an inch or so of grass. The grass and leaf clippings help fertilize the lawn and reduce the need to water. For tips on greening your yard, visit: http://www.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/tools/greenscapes/owners.htm.

Alternatives to a LawnUsing native plants, groundcover, or stones instead of grass will reduce the need to maintain an energy-intensive lawn. Consider building a rain garden to reduce your lawn and help reduce runoff. Visit www.AnchorageRainGardens.com for instructions and assistance.

Backyard CompostingBuy or build a compost bin that works for your yard. Read “Composting 101” at http://www.aswcd.org/archives.html for information about how to compost and “Composting in Alaska” at http://www.uaf.edu/ces/ah/soils/#compost to learn about different types of bins.

VermicultureVermiculture is the practice of using worms to break down organic wastes, including food scraps, animal manures, and even paper products, to create soil-like “castings” that can enrich your yard or garden. An average worm bin can process a pound or two of kitchen waste per week, plus an additional pound or more of paper products (cardboard, junk mail, newspaper etc.). While that may not seem like a huge amount, if just 100 families are vermicomposting, about 15,600 pounds of organic material will be diverted from our landfill. To learn more about vermiculture in Alaska, visit www.wormsandstuff.com. This Chugiak-based business sells worm-composting systems, with or without red wiggler worms; offers workshops to build your own system; and offers school or group presentations.

More Gardening & Composting Classes & Resources

Alaska Botanical Gardenwww.alaskabg.orgClasses, events, and tours

Alaska Community Action on Toxicswww.akaction.orgGardening and composting workshops

Alaska Permaculturehttp://akpermaculture.ning.comHolistic, ecology-based garden design

Cooperative Extension Servicewww.uaf.edu/ces/districts/anchorage/Publications and Master Gardener classes

Good Earth Garden Schoolhttp://ellenvandevisse.comOrganic gardening, composting, vermicomposting