Recycle as much as you can, or re-use products that are not worn out PDF Print E-mail

Background

Recycle as much as you can Each ton of garbage emits about 2000 pounds of carbon. (Source: eia.doe.gov) The Anchorage regional landfill alone can hold 19.8 million tons of garbage, which means nearly 40 BILLION pounds of carbon! Many rural villages have limited landfill areas, and the less we put into them, the less we will have to worry about them filling up.

If everyone in the U.S. recycled just their Sunday paper, half a million trees would be saved each week alone. (Source: Vanity Fair, April 2006)

Recycling half the aluminum, glass, plastic, and paper that you use each year can prevent 2,400 pounds of carbon emissions. (Source: globalgreen.org)

Consider giving old items that you no longer need but are still usable to charities instead of throwing them out.

For a fun, interactive and educational virtual recycling experience, visit Recycle City (formerly "Dumptown"), a site created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

Recycle, Resell, Re-Use in Alaska! 

  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a web page devoted to Alaska Volunteers to Help Homeless Families, a list of charitable organizations that accept bedding, clothing and miscellaneous donations, 
  • One such organization with branches statewide is the Salvation Army. Your used furniture, clothing, and other household items are tax-deductible contributions that help support your local community and addiction recovery programs.
  • Click here for a comprehensive list of thrift and consignment shops statewide.  
  • The State of Alaska has a listing of recycling organizations in Alaska and what they accept.
  • For another comprehensive list of where in Alaska you can recycle a wide variety of materials, from toys to lawn products, visit earth911.org, an organization dedicated to "Making Every Day Earth Day."
  • Green Star offers a large variety of Alaskan recycling resources. Visit this page to download or purchase recycling signs, for FAQs and helpful recycling links. Numerous tip sheets on recycling, energy efficiency and other environmental topics can be found at GreenStarInc.org. 
  • Green Star's guide to recycling electronics is discussed here. Usable computers can be donated through the Cristina Foundation, which will match you up with a local charity who can use your computer.  
  • The Freecycle network has many groups all over Alaska. “When you want to find a new home for something—whether it's a chair, a fax machine, piano, or an old door—you simply send an e-mail offering it to members of the local Freecycle group. Or, maybe you're looking to acquire something yourself. Simply respond to a member's offer, and you just might get it. After that, it's up to the giver to decide who receives the gift and to set up a pickup time for passing on the treasure.” 
  • The Alaska Materials Exchange offers a similar service to the Freecycle network except that it is for business supplies.
  • Tips on rural recycling can be found here and here.
  • Your old cell phones can be given to women's shelters to help those at risk of domestic violence through the Call to Protect program. Here are cell phone drop-off sites in Alaska. 
 
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