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ALPAR is excited to announce the return of glass recycling to Anchorage just in time for America Recycles Day and Anchorage Recycles Day!
The program will be drop off only for clean, empty glass bottles and jars – all colors – no caps or lids and no other materials like boxes or bags can go in the bin. The Anchorage Recycling Center will be the only collection point for glass for now. Bins here are open for drop off 24/7.
“It’s really important to make sure we don’t put anything in the bin other than glass and that residents understand they can’t put glass in their curbside carts,” says Mary Fisher, Executive Director of ALPAR. Curbside recyclables go directly to Seattle for sorting but glass will stay in Anchorage for processing.
The program is a culmination of extensive research and planning by Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling (ALPAR), Muni Solid Waste Services and most importantly Central Recycling Services who will be recycling the glass into new construction products here in Anchorage.
ALPAR and the Anchorage Recycling Center will manage the glass drop-off program partnering with Muni Solid Waste Services to cover the cost of hauling the glass to Central Recycling Services. The program is a great partnership between the public and private sectors.
Many residents will be excited that glass recycling is back again. Some folks have been saving up their glass for quite a while in anticipation of this start up. ALPAR’s goal has been to create a sustainable program with the highest potential that local markets for the glass will be robust and stable.
Key to this new program start up has been the development of new local markets for the glass. The State of Alaska Department of Transportation and the Municipality of Anchorage have added new specifications that allows glass to be used in construction projects such as road underlayment, trench backfill and pipe bedding. These approvals open up sustainable markets for the glass which will help make glass recycling feasible and able to grow.
ALPAR wants to thank our member companies, Muni Solid Waste Services, Central Recycling Service, RockTenn Recycling, Alaska Waste, State of Alaska DOT&PF, Muni Public Works, Mayor Sullivan, AWWU, Green Star, Alaska Center for the Environment, Anchorage Media Group and everyone who has worked toward this for the last several years. Persistence pays off! Thanks to Anchorage Recyclers for your patience and enthusiasm!