Anchorage to Zero Waste: WINTER 2008-2009 VOL. 1, NO. 1

Your Guide to Zero Waste in Anchorage NEW Curbside Recycling Programs! see page 8 Waste Reduction and Reuse Options, page 4 Map of Recycling Drop-off Locations, page 9 Household Hazardous Waste Options, page 10

Dear Anchorage Resident, This is the first issue of A to Z, your guide to zero waste in Anchorage. Zero waste is a goal of the Municipality of Anchorage. The Anchorage Assembly passed a zero-waste resolution this year. The resolution encourages all Municipal operations to engage in zero-waste practices. Zero-waste practices include waste prevention, reuse, and recycling to reduce environmental impacts and increase the efficiency of municipal activities. Leading by example, the Municipality hopes to provide the information and resources so all Anchorage residents and businesses can participate in moving Anchorage toward zero waste. In this and future issues of A to Z, we’ll share with you the inside story of recycling and waste prevention, along with information about energy efficiency, air quality and other “green” topics. This Fall/Winter issue highlights the newest recycling happenings, namely Curbside Recycling! We’ll also talk about seasonal topics like Christmas tree recycling and winter energy efficiency tips. To help you along the way, you’ll be guided by the Recycle Raven, Reuse Moose and all of their big, wild Anchorage friends. The Municipality, through its Solid Waste Services department, has been working to improve recycling in Anchorage for its collection service area customers and for the whole community. This includes: • Curbside recycling for the SWS collection area • School recycling for all schools and ASD administrative buildings • Expanded recycling drop-off locations • Public space recycling • Outreach and education So take a look through this inaugural issue of A to Z, and consider making a New Year’s resolution to move your household toward zero waste in 2009. We’ll help make it worth your while!

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Winter 2008-2009

Table of Contents Waste Prevention and Reuse................................................. 4 The Scoop on Schools!............................................................ 5 Electronics Recycling............................................................... 5 Anchorage Recycling Guide.................................................. 6 The Other Three R’s: Rinse, Remove, Resist...................... 7 Those Pesky Plastics!................................................................ 7 What is Commingled Curbside Recycling?...................... 8 Anchorage Drop-off and Curbside Locations................. 9 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Options........10 Paint & Materials Exchange.................................................10 Residential Recycling Resources........................................10 Energy Efficiency and Air Quality......................................11

Would you like to receive this document electronically? Email [email protected] and request future editions electronically. Visit www.muni.org/sws for an electronic version of this guide.

IMPORTANT EVENTS

Christmas Tree Recycling Drop off your tree at the clearly marked areas of Carrs parking lots in Anchorage, Eagle River and Palmer between Sunday, December 28 and Thursday, January 15. Be sure to remove all lights, ornaments, tree stands, tinsel, and plastic bags before leaving your tree. No wreathes are accepted because they have wires in them. The trees are processed into wood chips and used for trail cover, erosion control and mulch by local nonprofits and government agencies. Boy Scout Troop 268 will pick up trees for a small donation. Call 868-8899. This program is sponsored by ALPAR (Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling), with support from Carrs and the Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste Services.

A Hometown Story:

Thermo-Kool of Alaska Most of our recyclables are collected and shipped to the Lower 48 for sorting, processing, and remanufacturing into new products. But a few of them stay here and support our local economy. One of those materials is newspaper. Whenever you drop off newspapers at the recycling center, either on Rosewood Street, at the Anchorage Regional Landfill, or at any of the Carrs newspaper drop-off bins, you are supporting Thermo-Kool of Alaska, a local business that uses all of our separated newspapers to make new products, most of which are also sold right here in Alaska. Look for Thermo-Kool home insulation products, hyrdomulch, and animal bedding in local stores or contact Thermo-Kool to learn where to find its products. Thermo-Kool of Alaska, 563-3644. www.thermo-koolofalaska.com

Household Holiday Waste Prevention Tips • Ship gifts using recyclable or reusable packing material – newspaper etc. • If you get foam peanuts, take them to a shipping company for reuse. Local UPS stores, the Mail Cache, and the Packaging Store all accept foam packing peanuts for reuse. • Get off junk mail and catalog lists. Why recycle all those catalogs when you can stop them altogether? www.greenstarinc.org/unwantedmail.php • Shop locally to avoid catalogs and packaging! • Reuse gift bags and wrapping to wrap your gifts.

Anchorage to Zero Waste: Your Guide to Zero Waste in Anchorage, Volume 1, No. 1, Winter 2008-2009, is published by the Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste Services using funds from a $3/ton tip fee surcharge on solid waste disposed at the Anchorage Regional Landfill and Central Transfer Station. Editor: Jeanne Carlson. Illustrations and Design: David Zinn. Printed on 40% post-consumer recycled paper. Please recycle as mixed paper.

Winter 2008-2009

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Waste Prevention & Reuse C = accepts clothing, shoes, and accessories D = drop-off location O = accepts other household items P = provides pick-up service X = DOES NOT accept electronics, $ = pays for items/consignment computers or appliances

Legend:

PICK-UP / DROP-OFF SERVICES & LOCATIONS Big Brothers Big Sisters .................................................................563-1997 P, C, O, X (goods go to Value Village) www.bbbs.org Click on Donating -> Pick-up Service Big Brothers Big Sisters Drop-off Bins: Alaska Club West................................................1400 Northern Lights Blvd. Alpine Apartments...................................................... 5210 Mockingbird Dr. Anchorage Church of Christ........................................................2500 Debarr Anchorage Recycling Center............................................... 6301 Rosewood Ashley Home Furniture.............................................................. 100 Muldoon Bear Valley Elementary......................................................... 15001 Mt. Air Dr. Brayton Square................................................................6921 Brayton Square Carrs........................................................................................................Abbott Rd. Dimond Blvd. Gambell Rd. Jewel Lake Northway Mall Club at Eagle Point Apartments............................................5600 Lake Otis Fred Meyer...................................................................................... Dimond Blvd. Midtown (Northern Lights) Little Red Schoolhouse..........................................................3720 Raspberry 8620 Lake Otis Turnagain Elementary................................ 3500 W. Northern Lights Blvd. Arc of Anchorage Donation Center...................................337-6390

D, P, C, O, X (goods go to Value Village)

5437 E. Northern Lights Blvd. www.arc-anchorage.org/getready.htm

THRIFT/CONSIGNMENT STORES Bishop’s Attic D, P, C, O, X 1100 Gambell St. ............................................................................279-6328 The Clothesline Consignment C, $ 1443 W. Northern Lights Blvd. .................................................. 677-2773 Accepts current women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories only. Once Upon a Child C, O, $ 1016 W. Northern Lights Blvd.....................................................562-8777 Accepts infant and children’s clothing, toys, furniture and equipment. One More Time Thrift Store D, C, O, X 3934 Spenard Road .......................................................................243-2738 Out of the Closet C, $ 720 D St.................................................277-6119 Accepts designer women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories only. Plain Jane Consignment C, $ 113 W. Northern Lights Blvd........................................................278-7227 Plato’s Closet C, $ 1201 W. Northern Lights Blvd.....................................................770-7288 Accepts brand name, teen fashions. The Salvation Army D, P, C, O, X 501 E. Dimond Blvd. .....................................................................344-1053 300 W. Northern Lights Blvd. . ....................................................561-5514 3825 Mountain View Drive .........................................................274-2213 12812 Old Glenn Hwy., Eagle River . ........................................694-9990 SPCA Thrift Store D, P, C, O 549 W. International Airport Rd. ..............................................562-1092 Value Village D, P, C, O, X 5437 E. Northern Lights Blvd. ....................................................337-2184 501 E. Dimond Blvd. ......................................................................522-9090

Arc of Anchorage Drop-off Bins: Arc of Anchorage......................................................................2211 Arca Drive Anchorage Recycling Center.........................................6301 Rosewood Dr. Carrs................................................................................................Huffman Drive Fred Meyer............................................................................. E. Northern Lights Dimond Blvd. Eagle River Tudor Storage......................................................................... 3521 E. Tudor Rd. Wal-Mart............................................................................................... Eagle River

VINTAGE SHOPS (no donations)

The Salvation Army Warehouse and Pick-up Dispatch.........................................................561-4670 P, C, O (goods go to Salvation Army stores)

• Alaska Materials Exchange (a business-oriented exchange) www.greenstarinc.org

Salvation Army Drop-off Bins: At all Salvation Army store locations (8am – 8pm) – see list at right

• Freecycle www.freecycle.org

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Metro Retro 1233 W. 27th Ave. .................................................279-1007 Sandy’s Fab Finds 430 C Street, Suite 320...........................333-4637

Don’t want to go anywhere?

Here are some online resources for posting or finding good stuff.

• Craigslist http://anchorage.craigslist.org

Winter 2008-2009

WASTE REDUCTION SPOTLIGHT The Habitat for Humanity ReStore www.hfhanchorage.org/restore 5023 Cordova St. 743-8060 The ReStore is a retail business selling donated new and used building materials, electrical fixtures, appliances, kitchen cabinets, and even doghouses at greatly reduced prices. Since the ReStore’s opening in November 2004, it has diverted 3.4 million pounds of material from the Anchorage landfill.   The income generated from the ReStore is used to build more homes for low-income families and to support administrative expenses. The ReStore differs from other donation/resale stores such as Value Village and the Salvation Army in that it targets building materials. It does not accept clothing or regular household items. The ReStore can arrange for pick-up for most materials and all donations are tax deductible. Please call ahead or check the website before dropping them off to ensure that your items are acceptable.

The Scoop on Schools!

Electronics Recycling It’s the biggest waste wave we’ve ever seen! Electronics just keep going out of date faster and faster, generating hundreds of thousands of pounds of electronics waste in Anchorage every year. These electronics contain valuable metals and other components that can be reused or recycled. Computers, TVs, toaster ovens, cell phones, digital games, and other electronic devices are just a few of the items that can be recycled at Total Reclaim, 561-0544 www.totalreclaim.com. Total Reclaim will host four residential recycling days in January and February. Bring your electronics and pay a flat rate for TVs or just 35¢/lb for all other electronics. Saturday, 10am – 4pm

TVs recycling rates:

January 10 & 24 February 7 & 21

up to 19” = $15 27” to 34” = $35

19” to 27” = $25 over 34” = $50

One of the biggest changes in recycling this year is in our schools. The Anchorage School District implemented a mixed-paper recycling program at the beginning of the 2008-2009 academic year. The program is being funded by the Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste Services in partnership with Green Star and Alaska Waste. The program goal is to supply mixed-paper collection bins and recycling dumpsters to every school and facility within the District by August 2009. That’s more than 100 locations recycling paper! Currently, 34 schools and facilities have mixed-paper dumpsters, with approximately 28-35 more phased into the program each quarter.

Will I need a new TV when the world goes digital next year? If you are currently using a TV that has either a roof top antenna or “rabbit ears” and is not hooked up to a cable service, you will need to make some changes before February 17, 2009. On that date, analog broadcasts will cease and all TV signals will be digital. Your options?

The District is focusing on paper first because it is the largest recyclable material generated in schools. It is estimated that more than 1,000 tons can be diverted from the waste stream annually once the program is fully implemented.

• Keep using your old TV by purchasing a digital-to-analog converter box. They cost about $40-$70 and the government is offering coupons to help you pay for these. Visit www.DTV2009.gov for information or call 888-388-2009. Look for an Energy Star rated converter box to save energy. Visit www.energystar.gov/products.

Important tips from the School District’s Recycling Coordinator, Amy Kirn-Leist:

• Buy a digital TV. Be sure to reuse or RECYCLE your old TV! See Electronics Recycling information above.

• Be sure to read the labels on dumpsters so you are not putting any trash in the recycling dumpsters. This lowers the value of the material.

• Subscribe to a digital cable or satellite service. Contact local providers for details.

• Don’t use your school’s dumpsters for household trash! Winter 2008-2009

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RECYCLABLE MATERIAL

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ANCHORAGE RECYCLING GUIDE What’s accepted

What to leave out

Beverage cans, rinsed

Scrap metal

Food & beverage cans, rinsed

Scrap metal

Glass food and beverage bottles and jars

Pyrex and other heat-resistant glass, plate glass, drinking glasses, ceramic

Plastic Bottles

#1 PET bottles with neck and screw top (beverage bottles)

Caps, other numbered plastics, plastic produce and take-out containers

Plastic Jugs

#2 HDPE jugs with neck & screw top (milk and detergent jugs)

Caps, other numbered plastics, cups, tubs, oil/chemical containers

Stretchy plastic film, like grocery bags, drycleaner bags

Food-contaminated bags, bags with paper labels affixed, crinkly film like cereal box liners and snack bags

White/colored paper, glossy paper, junk mail, window envelopes, paperboard (cereal boxes, paper towel rolls), gift wrap, paper egg cartons Staples and paper clips okay

Milk cartons, juice boxes, hardcover books (unless binding and cover are removed), binder clips, plastic or metal bindings

Downtown: parking lot on 3rd Ave between A & C St South Anchorage: 7801 Schoon St

Corrugated boxes Clean pizza boxes Brown paper grocery bags

Waxed corrugated Fish boxes Non-corrugated paper

Anchorage Daily News

Newspaper and its inserts

Plastic bags

Telephone directories

Other paper, plastic bags

Televisions, computer monitors, computers, laptops, keyboards, mice, modems, external drives, scanners, printers, copiers, cables, other computer peripherals, VCRs, DVD players, stereos, radios, phones, fax machines, camcorders, electric typewriters, microwave ovens, telephones, cell phones & most media (floppies, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes)

Smoke detectors, vacuum cleaners

Aluminum cans, aluminum scrap, brass, copper, stainless steel, radiators, lead, tin, cables. Appliances and vehicles at some locations. Call for details.

Refrigerants, asbestos, oils, gasoline, petroleum products, antifreeze, lead-acid batteries, PCBs, automobile airbags, paint cans or other paint containers, acetylene bottles, fluorescent lamps, neon, high intensity or mercury vapor lights, circuit boards, hazardous or toxic substances, military scrap, explosives or explosive residues, radioactive materials, tires, wood, dirt, yard debris, concrete, asphalt, glass, rubber or other non-metallic materials

Aluminum Cans

Alaska Metal Recycling

Steel Cans Glass bottles and Jars

Temporarily Suspended. Stay tuned...

Plastic Bags

Carrs / FredMeyer / Wal-Mart store entryways

Office Paper Mixed Paper

Cardboard*

Newspaper Telephone Books

As mixed paper

Electronics (a fee is charged for recycling these items)

Apr. 15-July 31

Total Reclaim 12101 Industry Way, Unit C4 (in the Huffman Business Park) Anchorage Regional Landfill Hazardous Waste Collection Center

Scrap metals

During business hours

Alaska Metal Recycling (9705 King St.), Hilltop Recycling (Old Glenn Hwy, Chugiak),

Cereal Boxes

Mobile Metals

*Flatten Your Cardboard Whether you are recycling curbside or at a drop-off location, flattening your cardboard will make your recycling efforts more efficient. 6

Be sure to read all signage on recycling bins and follow instructions!

Winter 2008-2009

The Other Three R’s: Rinse – Remove – Resist Rinse bottles and cans

before recycling.

• Hint: Fill your empty peanut butter jar with hot water and soak over night, pour out half the water, put the lid back on, shake vigorously, and pour the residue down the drain. Now the jar is ready to recycle!

Remove all caps and lids. • Plastic caps should be discarded – they are not recyclable. • Metal screw lids from glass jars and lids from steel cans can both be recycled with steel cans.

Resist the urge to

recycle an item if you are not sure about it.

• When in doubt, throw it out!! • Call the Municipality’s Recycling Coordinators to ask, if you have questions about an item. Call 343-6274 or 343-6275. • Since Anchorage does not have sorting facilities, you are the only sorter in the process! Non-recyclable materials bring down the value of everything else, making recycling less economical.

Winter 2008-2009

Those Pesky Plastics! What plastics are recyclable in Anchorage? If you look into the recycling bins at the recycling center, you may get a sense that all sorts of plastics are recyclable. They’re not. Only certain plastics are accepted for recycling and contamination of the plastics bins with nonrecyclable plastics continues to be one of the biggest issues at the recycling center. So here are the rules and the reasons: First, look for the plastic resin symbol on the bottom of your plastic container – it’s the number inside the small “chasing arrows” recycling symbol with a few letters below it. The resin coding system goes up to #7 but you are only looking for #1 (PET or PETE) and #2 (HDPE). But you’re not done yet. Next, look at the shape of the container. To be recyclable, it must have a screw top, with a neck. Remember, check for the neck! For an easy rule, remember that the vast majority of containers in this category are water and soda bottles in the #1 category and milk and detergent jugs in the #2 category.

Why aren’t other plastics recyclable? Even though all plastics with the same number start with the same plastic resin, different chemicals are added during manufacturing to mold them into different shaped containers. For example, produce and bakery trays are molded differently than water and soda bottles, even though both are made with #1 PET plastic. This means they cannot be melted back together during the recycling process. Because there are so many more bottles and jugs compared to the other types, like clamshells, tubs, buckets, berry baskets, yogurt cups etc., these are the only types of plastics that are being recycled economically in most communities.

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What is Commingled Curbside Recycling? Curbside recycling is the newest thing in Anchorage. We’ve been waiting for years and now it’s here! All of the “acceptable” materials can be put into one recycling roll cart – no sorting necessary. And they’re collected every other week at your curb – no driving!

What can go in the recycling roll cart? ACCEPTABLE Aluminum cans Steel cans (tin) Plastic PET #1 bottles

HANDLE FACING TOWARD HOUSE

Plastic HDPE #2 jugs Mixed paper (including gift wrap)

LID COMPLETELY CLOSED

Cardboard AT LEAST 3 FEET AWAY FROM TREES, CARS, AND OTHER ROLL CARTS

NOT ACCEPTABLE

Where is Curbside Recycling available? Check the map on page 9 is see if your neighborhood is included.

Glass Plastic bags Green or food waste Scrap metal

Curbside recycling services are provided by two different residential service providers. Check the map for boundaries. Alaska Waste offers curbside recycling for a small additional charge to more than 35,000 Anchorage households.

Milk/juice cartons

Solid Waste Services offers curbside recycling as part of its automated Pay-As-You-Throw trash collection program. This program will be phased in throughout SWS’ collection area over the next year and a half.

Paper plates

For more information about sign-up for service or when service will be coming to your area, contact your service provider (see map on page 9).

Electronics

Paper cups Paper napkins Plastic cups or tubs (yogurt etc.) Plastic fruit or bakery containers Aerosol, paint or fuel cans Waxed cardboard

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Alaska Waste 563-3717 www.alaskawaste.com Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste Services 343-6250 www.muni.org/sws Winter 2008-2009

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Commingled Curbside Recycling Service Areas: = services currently provided by SWS = SWS area to be serviced by 2010 = services currently provided by Alaska Waste (see page 8 for services and contact information) 2

20

14 15

9

7

12

6

13 17

4 19

3

16

5

11 18

1 3rd Ave. & A St. Lot

Cardboard only

2 Anchorage Regional Landfill

(hours limited to landfill hours) Accepts cardboard, glass, mixed paper, newspaper, aluminum cans

3 Anchorage Recycling Center

6161 Rosewood St. Accepts cardboard, glass, mixed paper, newspaper, aluminum cans, steel cans, #1 PET plastic bottles, #2 HDPE plastic jugs

4 Brown Jug Warehouse

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7 Carrs, Debarr Road

5600 Debarr Rd.

8 Carrs, Eagle River

11409 Business Park Blvd. Lake Otis Elementary 3331 Lake Otis Pkwy.

9 Carrs, Gambell Road

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Carrs, Muldoon Road 7731 E. Northern Lights Blvd.

17

Carrs, Huffman Road 1501 E. Huffman Rd.

14

Carrs, Northway Mall 3101 Penland Pkwy.

18

1340 Gambell Rd.

Mears Middle School 2700 W. 100th Ave.

4140 Old Seward Hwy. Accepts glass, aluminum cans

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5 Carrs, Abbott Road

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Carrs, Jewel Lake 4000 W. Dimond Blvd.

15

Inlet View Elementary 1219 N St.

19

Carrs, Mall at Sears 600 E. Northern Lights Blvd

16

King Street – 7801 Schoon St Cardboard only

20

1725 Abbott Rd. 6 Carrs, Aurora Village 1650 W. Northern Lights Blvd.

Winter 2008-2009

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Northwood ABC Elementary 4807 Northwood Dr. Wonder Park Elementary 5101 E. 4th Ave. 9

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Options www.muni.org/sws/hazardouswaste.cfm

Drop-off services are FREE for households only (up to 40 lbs).  A hazardous waste pick-up service is also available on a callin basis.  Phone (907) 428-1742 or (907) 343-6262 for further information.

Glenn Hw y.

The Hazardous Waste Collection Center is located at the Anchorage Regional Landfill, at the intersection of the Glenn Highway and Hiland road, near Eagle River. 

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Hours of Operation: Tuesday through Saturday,  8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This facility accepts hazardous wastes from households and businesses. 

New Seward Hwy.

Old Seward Hwy.

C St.

The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility is located at the Central Transfer Station, at the intersection of E. 54th and Juneau, east of the Old Seward Highway. Hours of Operation: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday,  8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This facility accepts hazardous waste from households only.

Drop off these household items: PAINT PAINT THINNERS GASOLINE

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CLEANERS PESTICIDES HERBICIDES

BATTERIES

USED OIL

FERTILIZER

ANTIFREEZE

REUSE PROGRAM

Paint & Materials Exchange While you’re at the landfill or transfer station, be sure to visit the Paint & Materials Exchange. When you drop off household hazardous materials, they are sorted and usable products are put in the exchange area. The Household Hazardous Waste program takes in between 50 and 100 gallons of paint each week.  Sometimes paint cans even come in unopened.  Also available through the Paint & Materials Exchange are household cleaning solvents, auto fluids, or lawn and garden chemicals, depending on availability.

A QUICK LOOK: RESIDENTIAL WASTE & RECYCLING RESOURCES Alaska Center for the Environment www.akcenter.org............................................................................ 274-3621 Alaska Metal Recycling www.alaskametalrecycling.com................................................ 349-4833 Alaska Waste (trash and recycling pick-up services) www.alaskawaste.com................................................................. 563-3717 ALPAR www.alparalaska.com.................................................. 274-3266 Anchorage School District Recycling................................... 348-5151 EK Industries (glass recycling, recycled glass products)..... 229-7090 Girmscheid Enterprises (recycling pick-up service).......... 770-1720 Green Star www.greenstarinc.org........................................... 278-7827 MOA Household Hazardous Waste Centers www.muni.org/sws/hazardouswaste.cfm..... 428-1742 or 343-6262 MOA Office of Economic and Community Development Anchorage Director of Sustainability www.muni.org/OECD..................................................................... 343-4174 MOA Solid Waste Services www.muni.org/sws............... 343-6262 “Recycling Rap” blog www.adn.com/recycleblog Smurfit-Stone Recycling Company (Anchorage Recycling Center)..................................................... 562-2267 Total Reclaim (electronics, fluorescent lamps, refrigerant, and battery recycling) www.totalreclaim.com/alaska.html......................................... 561-0544 Thermo-Kool of Alaska (recycled newsprint products) www.thermo-koolofalaska.com................................................. 563-3644 Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (Mat-Su recycling center) www.valleyrecycling.org...................................................... 907-745-5544

Winter 2008-2009

Energy Efficiency and Air Quality Zero waste also means not wasting energy. Here are some tips to help you keep out that cold winter air and to reduce your energy load. This issue will start with free or very low cost options for reducing energy use. We’ll look at bigger efforts in later issues.

WINTER HOME ENERGY TIPS Weatherize! • Weather strip. You should never be able to see light or feel a breeze around windows and doors. If you do, that’s money and energy pouring out of your house. Plug those energy leaks by weather stripping between moving parts (doors and their frames) and caulking or sealing between nonmoving parts (window frames and walls). • Insulate properly. Make sure there’s enough insulation installed and that it’s the right type for the job. Check periodically to be sure it is all still in place and no gaps have formed

Technology Control • You’re the boss – so manage your home office equipment. Activate “sleep” features on computers, copiers, and other machines that power down when the equipment is on but not in use for a while. Turn off equipment during periods of non-use to cut energy costs and improve longevity. Screen savers do NOT save energy. Plug your equipment into a surge protector power strip. This not only protects equipment from electrical surges but allows easy access to power so you can shut everything down with one switch. • Stop the energy theft. Electronics such as phones, TVs, VCRs, DVD players, and cable boxes all consume energy even while switched off. This energy keeps display clocks lit and memory chips and remote controls working. Even your innocent-looking phone charger and other “black box” gadgets are sucking up electricity when your phone or video game isn’t charging.

Light the Way • Let the sunshine in. In colder months, allow the sun to help heat your home by keeping blinds or drapes on sun-exposed windows open in the daytime. Retain the heat overnight by closing the blinds after dark. • Light efficiently. With lights on much of the day during winter, electricity use invariably increases. Save money by installing compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and use up to 75 percent less energy than either halogen or incandescent bulbs. And turn off the light when you leave the room!

Heat Tips!

AIR QUALITY CORNER Alaskan Winter “Plug It In” Protocol

When the temperature drops below 20°F, plug in your engine block heater if you do not park in a garage. Plug in for just a few hours Only warm up your engine block heater for two to three hours before driving. That’s all it needs for maximum efficiency.

Timers save

The Anchorage Department of Health & Human Services reminds you that engine block heaters reduce air pollution from starting cold engines by up to 60%. Using a timer on your block heater can save you money. On January 10, 2009, the Anchorage FREEZE Project will distribute a limited number of programmable timers. Go to www.freezeproject.org for more information.

Cold idling If you start your engine cold (if you can’t plug in), be sure to warm it up for ten minutes. Idling more or less than ten minutes causes more pollutants, which also means the engine is running inefficiently and using more fuel.

Unplug it Remember to unplug before you drive away!

• Be an “Energy Star.” To cut energy expenses by up to 30 percent, choose ENERGY STAR-certified clothes washers, dishwashers, air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers, as well as computers, monitors, printers, scanners, copiers, fax machines and many other home and home office products. www.energystar.gov • Zone your home. While working in your home office, close off the heating vents in unoccupied rooms. • Tune up your house. Clean or replace furnace and room air conditioner air filters once a month for increased efficiency. Give your furnace or heat pump a professional “tune-up” each year, and ask the technician to make sure the system is sized and operating at peak efficiency and that ducts are not leaking. Look for ENERGY STAR furnaces and heat pumps. www.nwf.org/goodneighbor/homeenergytips.cfm – real-life examples from real people. www.ase.org/taxcredits – get money back when you make improvements in 2009.

Winter 2008-2009

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Just in time for the holidays... Anchorage has installed 4,300 energy-efficient LED street lights. This will save the City about $360,000/year. Soon, all 16,500 street lights in the Anchorage bowl will be replaced with LED lights!

LEDs are already all over Anchorage! Town Square is draped in blue and white LED

holiday lights and residents are realizing their benefits too. LED lights can easily pay for themselves in just one season, as they use about 3 watts per 100 bulbs compared to traditional mini-lights that use 45 watts per 100 bulbs or standard large bulbs that can use between 240 and 1000 watts per 100 lights. They last years longer, are more durable, save energy, and look great! See page 11 for more energy efficiency ideas for your home.

Holiday trash getting you down? The Alaska Aces have teamed up with the Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall for Return, Recycle & Score! All you have to do is collect your holiday gift wrap and boxes: • Return to Anchorage’s 5th Avenue Mall between December 26 and January 4. • Recycle your gift wrap and boxes at the Ace’s kiosk on the 3rd floor by the sky bridge. • Score a single game ticket voucher to use at any home game during the regular season. Remember, no bows, ribbons, foil or plastic wrapping, foam peanuts, or other packaging materials; just paper gift wrap and paperboard boxes. See page 6 for more places to recycle your holiday wrapping and boxes.

Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste Services 1111 E. 56th Avenue Anchorage, AK 99518

Your Guide to Zero Waste in Anchorage

Anchorage to Zero Waste: