Talkeetna Recycling Committee Wins Award

The Talkeetna Recycling Committee was awarded $500 from Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling, or ALPAR.

Committee Chair Cici Schoenberger (SHOW-en-BUR-ger) says the organization supports recycling and litter prevention efforts throughout the State. Though the Committee has received recognition before, this is the first time they’ve been awarded money.

The award recognizes the Committee’s litter prevention efforts. The ALPAR website highlights two of the Committee’s programs. One is the all-volunteer recycling program at the Talkeetna Transfer Station. The other is a spring electronic waste collection day in partnership with the Denali Education Center.

Schoenberger says in addition to these programs, the Committee empties three bear-proof recycling bins in downtown Talkeetna. They hand-sort the contents to be sure they aren’t contaminated with trash. 

They also created a reusable cup program that provides cups for businesses to sell. That project stemmed from single-use coffee cups littering downtown streets. 

There are no rules for how the Committee can use the funds. Schoenberger says there are always things the Committee could do, like improving signage. She says the Committee invites suggestions and encourages residents to volunteer.