The Summer Trash Issue in Trapper Creek

With the summer tourist season in full swing, trash has become an issue in Trapper Creek, home to only about 500 full-time residents. Every few days, the two metal trash containers at the transfer station at Three Bears are full.

Borough Solid Waste Division Manager Jeff Smith says it appears to be a summer issue. And it’s happening not only in Trapper Creek, but at all the transfer sites. Smith confirms that Borough staff have been called to empty the containers every three to four days this summer for Trapper Creek. In winter, it’s about ten days between calls. 

According to Smith, the Borough tries to change out the containers the day after they receive the request, but it sometimes takes up to 48 hours. Smith says that residents with larger loads should take their trash to the Talkeetna Transfer Station, about 15 to 20 minutes away. The Three Bears site is open every day while the store is open. The Talkeetna Transfer Station is open Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm. 

Smith says that the containers need to be full when they are picked up to keep costs low. He says there may be options to help the situation like only allowing bagged kitchen trash at the Trapper Creek Transfer Station. Or adding more containers to the site. 

The Borough will continue to monitor the situation to determine if it’s a short or long-term problem.