What Goes Where

Local Recycling Facilities Ever wonder where you can take recycling? Or what is accepted at your local center?

Try our What Goes Where map to get your answer.

In 2006, the Borough Assembly adopted Resolution 2006-165, "A resolution of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly supporting a "zero waste" practice for all Borough operations." The Borough Solid Waste Division stands by this commitment as seen in several of its current practices.

"Zero Waste" means you place no waste in your landfill. All aspects of your waste go to some form of reduction, recycling, or a reuse program.

The Borough Assembly invests $54,000 annually into the Borough Recycling Facility, which is run by the non-profit Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (VCRS). In addition, a $150,000 grant is awarded annually to VCRS to help with operating expenses.

The more we recycle, the more value we receive in the form of space in our waste cells that otherwise would have bene taken up by those diverted recyclables. The lifespan of a costly landfill cell is extended by diverting waste. One cell can cost $7 million to build. That one cell costs $5 million to close with about $6 million in operating costs during the cell's five-year life. The total cost to build and operate the cell for 5 years is about $43 million.

A gas and water monitoring component is required by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The system includes 36 wells that are mostly monitored quarterly. Monitoring each cell continues for 30 years past cell closure. The monitoring well cost varies for each cell, however, the current system in its entirety is about $420,000 annually.

When large quantities of household waste gather in a cell, leachate is produced. Leachate is the "soup" that results from moisture dripping down through the waste into the bottom. The landfill captures this liquid and hauls it to a treatment facility. Leachate can contain some minerals and heavy metals that exceed water quality standards. Leachate is currently hauled to Anchorage with treatment costs of $475,000 annually. The Borough is proceeding with plans to build its own Septage and Leachate Treatment Facility at the Central Landfill.