Compost Program Expands in the Mat-Su

An expanded compost program is coming to the Mat-Su Borough. Residents can bring their yard waste to the Palmer landfill and the Big Lake, Willow, and Talkeetna transfer stations for disposal now. The landfill will soon be able to compost the material and make that available to residents.

Borough Solid Waste Division Manager Jeff Smith says the landfill will be expanded to include a three-acre compost area. That’s thanks to a 3.5 million dollar grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, the yard waste collection facilities at the three transfer stations will be expanded so that the material can be stored and transported to Palmer for composting.

Prior grant funding allowed the Borough to purchase a shredder that helps break down the debris so it can be composted faster. Smith says he expects the program will be able to produce compost about one year after the infrastructure is built. That’s based on a few tests they’ve conducted at the landfill.

Right now they accept woody debris at no cost. Grass and leaves are only accepted at the landfill, but there is a charge. The Big Lake, Willow, and Talkeetna transfer stations currently burn the brush. This program will enable residents to not only continue to drop off dead spruce and other woody debris, but also to get compost for their gardens. 

Smith says he expects the first batch of compost to be ready by spring 2025, if not sooner.