| Anchorage |
|
|
|
RecyclingAnchorage offers a wealth of opportunities to recycle and re-use! Be sure to visit the Municipality of Anchorage official website to keep current on recycling developments and opportunities, from curbside removal to composting and disposing of yard waste. In 2008 the Anchorage Assembly passed a zero-waste resolution, encouraging all Municipal operations to engage in waste prevention, reuse, and recycling. Leading by example, the Municipality hopes to provide information and resources so all Anchorage residents and businesses can help move Anchorage toward zero waste. As part of Solid Waste Services’ community-wide recycling initiative, the first issue of "The A to Z (Anchorage to Zero) Guide: Your Guide to Zero Waste in Anchorage" is available online. For details on what and how to recycle in Anchorage, visit Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling (ALPAR). Recycling doesn't have to be hard—check out this map of recycling drop-off sites in Anchorage. “Becoming a Green Star: A Waste Reduction Guide for Anchorage Businesses” is a 65-page guide that provides tips, examples, and resources relating to numerous waste reduction topics, including recycling, energy efficiency, toxics reduction, and purchasing. The guide includes an appendix that tells you where in Anchorage you can recycle nearly anything: from antifreeze to eyeglasses, foam peanuts to shoes, and used oil filters to wood and pallets. Total Reclaim offers a wide variety of innovative environmental services for management of electronics and other hard-to-handle materials -- including fluorescent lamps, computer components, refrigerant gases and appliances -- that need to stay out of landfill. Visit their website or call 907.561.0544 to learn more. Smurfit-Stone, Anchorage’s recycling hub, accepts #1 and #2 plastics, mixed paper, aluminum, tin cans, plastic bags, newspaper and cardboard. They are located at 6161 Rosewood St. (off Dowling and just west of the New Seward Highway). To learn more, call 907.562.2267. The Alaska Division of Environmental Health Solid Waste Program has a comprehensive online chart that answers the question, "Where Can I Recycle in my Community?" Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) use 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescents. But because CFLs contain small amounts of mercury, they must not be disposed of with the household trash! FREE disposal sites for unbroken bulbs in Anchorage include the lobby of Chugach Electric Association, 5601 Electron Drive, and Home Depot branches. Local supermarkets, including Carrs/Safeway, Fred Meyer and Walmart, recycle used plastic bags. Better yet, purchase your own, reusable grocery bags; they are inexpensive and last for years. (For some eye-opening statistics about this critical environmental issue, see "Facts and figures regarding the true cost of plastic bags.") If you are a restaurant or large generator of used cooking oil, Alaska Mill and Feed will pick up your cooking oil and recycle it. For more information call 907.279.4519 and press "option 3". Located in Anchorage, Alaska Metal Recycling is the largest metal recycling facility in the state, and will purchase both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Alaska Women’s Aid in Crisis (AWAIC) has a nearly constant need for gently used clothing and household items for their domestic violence shelter. View the AWAIC "Wish List" online. Anchorage has a collection site for the nationwide Call To Protect program, which enables people to retire their wireless phones in a manner that will help the environment and provide phones, with matching airtime, to domestic violence agencies. The ARC of Anchorage (an organization dedicated to helping people who experience developmental disabilities, behavioral health issues, and/or deafness to lead rich, full, productive lives) will pick up salable clothing and household items from your home. Habitat for Humanity has a ReStore in Anchorage, which sells donated home building and home improvement items. Visit Habitat for Humanity's website to learn how to donate leftover building materials.
Energy EfficiencyAlaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) offers financial assistance to help Alaskans reduce their energy bills and make their homes more energy efficient. For more information on current programs in Anchorage, visit the AHFC website or call The Home Energy Rebate & Weatherization Hotline at 1.877.325.2508. Renewable EnergyProduce your own, clean energy and live off the grid! Alaska Energy Authority's "Renewable Energy Atlas of Alaska" shows potential renewable energy resources all over the state. Order a free copy by contacting Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP) at 907.929.7770 or download a version here. Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) has also prepared a Wind Resource Summary specifically for Anchorage. If you are thinking about solar power, check out this table showing the average hours of daylight by month in Anchorage. Alaska Sun is a coalition of solar businesses, academics, and interested individuals working toward a renewable energy future for Alaska. Established in May 2001, its funding originally came through the National Million Solar Roofs Coalition monies from the U.S. Department of Energy. Its site is now maintained by UAF's Cooperative Extension Service and is dedicated to promoting renewable energy for Alaska. ABS Alaskan, Inc. maintains a site that discusses renewable energy options, remote power products, tax credits and intertie incentives throughout Alaska. TransportationCarpool! Enjoy riding to work with others. To sign up, call the Share-A-Ride phone line, 907.562.7665, or visit the Share a Ride website. Ride the bus! The People Mover automated phone system gives route information and times, and you can also speak to operators for additional assistance: 907.343.6543. Maps and timetables are available online. Walk, ski or ride your bike! The Municipality of Anchorage boasts an award-winning trail system suitable for all sorts of emission-free transportation: skiing, running , biking, walking, horseback riding, hiking, roller blading, dog mushing and skijoring. The Parks and Recreation Department maintains an online Anchorage Trails Mapbook. Biking is great exercise! Learn about the health benefits of biking here. Don't let cold weather discourage you. For a comprehensive How-To guide to winter biking, visit Alaska All Season Cycling. More InformationAnchorage Citizens Against Global Warming / Step It Up is grassroots group consisting of concerned individuals and organizations such as Alaska Center for the Environment (ACE), Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA), National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and Alaska Women's Environmental Network (AWEN). View the Anchorage Citizens Against Global Warming / Step It Up site and blog here.
|