The Need

In order to have a complete recycling program it was decided that a composting facility was needed. This enables citizens of the Anchorage area an alternative to the land fill.

Who Initiated Program

John Dean, with a $20,000 grant from ASTF. A lease from the Municipal of Anchorage Heritage Land Bank for 12.5 acres of land in the Point Woronzof area of Anchorage.

Description

The Anchorage Regional Composting Facility now has 100,000 square feet of composting pad, constructed with a 60 mil PVC liner with 4 inches of asphalt for composting surface. The facility has been selling the finished product under the name of Alaska Gold. There is now three products selling under this brand name: Composted Soil Enhancer, Composted Wood Mulch (used as a top dressing), and Potting Soil.

Objective

To provide an alternative to the landfill.

Recruitment/Publicity

Standard radio, newspaper and television adds are used. In the spring, clean up and free dumping of organic matter is provided. Annually in theFall, a Recycling Fair is held and all recycleable products are excepted. The composting facility is now starting a glass recycling project. Part of the product will be used by mixing the crushed glass with compost to make potting soil.

Participants

John Dean, President and Karen Frasier, General Manager.

Materials

Any organic material. A tipping fee is charged for incoming material. The facility is opened year around and in winter the majority of the material received is from horse owners in the Anchorage area. Summer grass is brought in by lawn maintenance companies and homeowners. A curb side pick up of grass is being promoted and may happen in 1998.

Cost/Funding

At the present time the total cost of operation to date, including construction, operation and patrol cost, is in the$500,000 area. ASTF has provided $20,000 of it, and the rest comes from operation revenue, bank loans and loans from John Dean.

Results & Impacts

The facility has proven that composting in Alaska is possible, and in some areas year around. Because of this, other composting operations have started in other parts of Alaska. We believe that we have encouraged the idea of composting in Alaska. The facility has kept 5,000 tons out of the landfill. 

Spin-Offs

Recycling glass by using it here in Alaska.

Problems and/or Suggestions

Be sure that you have twice as much money as you think that it is going to take to get a composting facility up and running.

Coordinator at time of project, 1998

Call or write to:

John Dean or Karen Frasier
Anchorage, AK 99509-2229