RECYCLING AND

WASTE RELATED PROGRAMS

Some type of recycling program currently exists in almost all areas of the Kenai Peninsula Borough. The Borough's level of involvement differs in each area, specifically related to the degree of infrastructure and type of solid waste disposal method in each community.

The existing recycling programs in the Borough and the level of Borough involvement are outlined below.

The Borough's recyclables are marketed through Smurfit Stone in Anchorage (907) 562-2267

RECYCLING IN BOROUGH COMMUNITIES

In 1990, the Borough began placing compartmentalized recycling containers in communities with no recycling options. In most instances they are placed directly beside the solid waste containers. Materials collected include newspaper, office paper, cardboard, glass and aluminum.

 The following is a list of locations where these containers are placed. To read about the Homer Baling Facility, Central Peninsula Landfill and the Kenai, Nikiski and Sterling Transfer Facilities recycle programs, please go to the respective WebPages sites.

RECYCLE CONTAINER LOCATIONS

OTHER RECYCLING PROGRAMS AND ORGANIZATIONS 

    Christmas Trees

The Borough conducts an annual Christmas Tree Recycling program.  The trees are chipped and the mulch is used in Borough landscaping projects. 

In previous years, the Seward Forest Service requested use of the Christmas trees for fish habitat programs in the Seward area. The trees were placed on frozen lakes and ponds where they would sink to the bottom with the spring thaw. The trees provided protection for small fish from predators. Unfortunately, due to budget restraints and even though it was determined to be a very beneficial program, it was cancelled.

The trees are collected at the Central Peninsula Landfill, Kenai Transfer Facility, Nikiski Transfer Facility, Sterling Transfer Facility, and Seward Transfer Facility.

   Gillnet

In addition to the on-going recycling programs at the landfill, fish net (Gillnet) is collected at the CPL and sent to recycle markets in Anchorage.

     Central Peninsula Green Star

The Solid Waste Department is actively involved and a major sponsor of the Central Peninsula Green Star program which started in 1994. This program awards and recognizes businesses and organizations for their commitment to environmental responsibility.

Businesses and organizations enroll in the program by paying a one-time enrollment fee based on type of business and number of employees. At that time, the business will receive an enrollment packet and work with Green Star members to apply standards which will eventually lead to earning a Green Star Award. Please contact Central Peninsula Green Star at (907) 262-9667 or  http://www.ptialaska.net/~grnstar/

        Regroup

REGROUP, a local non-profit recycling educational group, was started in 1989 by a group of people whose goal is to educate the community on the importance of the 3 R's - reduce, reuse and recycle - as an integral part of solid waste management. KPB staff is involved and also helped in establishing the group.

REGROUP has sponsored annual events such as Earth Day celebrations, Recycling Sunday at the Ninilchik Fair and the Kenai River Festival. The group has provided seminars on household recycling, vermicomposting, source reduction and publishes a quarterly newsletter on local issues. REGROUP generally functions as a clearinghouse for recycling and related issues.

The mission statement adopted by the group is:

Call the solid waste office for information or http://www.ptialaska.net/~grnstar/pages/regroup.html

Facility Tours

The Central Peninsula Landfill, Homer Baling Facility and Seward Transfer Facility provide facility tours for school groups or organizations when requested. Call the solid waste office for more information.

Solid Waste Home Page