Talkeetna Recycling Program Sees Continued Fundraising Success

On Tuesday, the recycling committee of the Talkeetna Community Council met to discuss progress on its goal of having recycling available at the Talkeetna transfer site.

To date, the committee has raised more than $32,000.  That includes $10,000 from the Mat-Su Health Foundation and from Matanuska Electric Association.  Not included is the National Park Service’s offer to fund one of the refurbished recycling containers.  Katie Writer, who has led much of the effort, says the fundraising is on pace to meet the committee’s goals, and demonstrates enthusiasm for the recycling program.

“So, we have a great capacity to implement a well-organized recycling program with our current financial position.  If anything, it tells me that recycling is ready to happen here and that there’s support in the state.”

Under the program, the community would pay for the refurbishing of large containers similar to the ones already used at the transfer site.  They will be divided into three bins, each of which can hold a different type of recyclable material.  Once the bins fill, the staff at the transfer site will order a pick-up paid for by the Mat-Su Borough.

Butch Shapiro, Solid Waste Manager for the borough, says that the program could actually save money, since less trash in the landfill means less need to dig new cells, which cost millions of dollars each.  On Tuesday, Shapiro addressed some community concerns regarding the future of the Talkeetna transfer site.  He says that the Solid Waste Division has been running a deficit for nine years, and that multiple cost-saving options are being explored.  He also says that no action will be taken on the transfer site without bringing it to the community first.

“We’re not making any decisions unilaterally.  You guys—this is your place. We’re not going to do anything that you don’t agree to or support, so I want you to know that.”

The memorandum of agreement between the Talkeetna Community Council and the Mat-Su Borough is up for a vote by the Council board on Monday.  A link to the document is available online at KTNA.org.