Alaskans have a new place to recycle more types of plastics in Anchorage. Alaska Plastic Recovery is opening a drop-off location in Midtown, providing a unique twist on recycling: the company uses the material to make plastic lumber, which can be used in place of wood.

“Any kind of thing you can use lumber for, you can use this for,” said Marketing and Sales Director Rachell Murphy. “It’s the same dimensions, you can cut it up.”

New Recycling Opportunities

The new drop-off location will be open every Saturday from noon to 3:30 p.m. at 1310 E. 56th Ave. Anchorage residents will be able to recycle more types of plastic for free, including type 4 and 5 plastics, which the Municipality of Anchorage does not accept. Type 4 plastics include most plastic shopping bags, squeezable bottles, plastic wraps, and zip-close bags, while type 5 includes yogurt containers, disposable cups, and plates. Alaska Plastic Recovery also accepts types 1 and 2 plastics.

“I think it helps to have a place where you can actually recycle those things,” Murphy said. “The municipality and Solid Waste Services have been really great at working with us because they’d rather see this plastic recycled than in their landfill.”

Origins and Community Impact

Alaska Plastic Recovery started when founder Patrick Simpson had the idea to repurpose plastics polluting the ocean after they were collected from marine debris clean-up programs. The new drop-off location will allow the company to use more post-consumer waste in addition to plastics found in the ocean.

The recycled plastic lumber has been used to build decks, picnic benches, and garden beds. The company has even worked with the Homer Trails Alliance to use the lumber for trail maintenance.

“We have really enjoyed working with the communities,” Murphy said. “I mean, there’s so much interest in wanting to do something that we can all actually use and not end up just throwing our plastic away.”

Murphy looks forward to having open hours every Saturday where Alaska Plastic Recovery staff can interact with the community. “We’ve actually gotten a lot of interest,” Murphy said. “People have asked and asked so that I know there have been people waiting for this.”

In addition to Alaska Plastic Recovery’s drop-off hours, people can also drop off plastics for the company during the Solid Waste Services’ hours for the location every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Partnering for Greater Impact

In a collaborative effort to further reduce plastic waste in Alaska, Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling (ALPAR) is partnering with Planet Green Recycle to promote free ink cartridge recycling across the state. This initiative aims to spread awareness about the importance of recycling ink cartridges and encourages residents to participate in the program offered by Planet Green Recycle.

By working together, these organizations hope to create a more sustainable environment for all Alaskans, reducing landfill waste and promoting the use of recycled materials in everyday life. Through initiatives like Alaska Plastic Recovery’s new drop-off location and the ink cartridge recycling program, the state is making significant strides toward a greener future.

With the opening of Alaska Plastic Recovery’s new drop-off location, Anchorage residents have more opportunities to recycle a wider range of plastics. This initiative, along with the partnership between ALPAR and Planet Green Recycle, highlights the community’s commitment to reducing plastic waste and protecting the environment. By participating in these programs, Alaskans can make a positive impact on their local ecosystems and contribute to a more sustainable future.