The move comes after the Kenai Peninsula Borough conducted a survey of its residents to determine issues that matter to locals. Many residents’ responses requested changes to landfills and waste reuse.
KPB Mayor Peter Micciche says the reuse area at the Central Peninsula Landfill is part of a process he is working to implement in response to the survey. This process began with reopening a transfer site at Sterling’s Solid Waste facility.
“The philosophy is this: that sometimes people bring things to the landfill that other people can reuse,” said Mayor Micciche. “For some reason the borough had gotten to the point where [reusable items] were all going into the CD cell to be stored forever, which is expensive. It’s wasteful, and there are items that other people can use. So we’re satisfying that philosophy.”
The Mayor says the move makes sense on multiple fronts. “As a frequent user of the landfill, if there’s something reusable, I’ve left with more items sometimes than I’ve arrived with. I hate to say, [that] things go to waste, and sometimes people just set things aside that are in perfectly good condition. They just don’t have A use for them anymore. It’s a great way, again, to reduce our waste, reduce the cost of the landfill, and allow reusable items to go back into the hands of others that can benefit from that item.”
There are some simple rules anyone visiting the reuse site is asked to follow:
- The site attendant has the final say on allowable items.
- Items left must be clean and not damaged or broken.
- Maximum parking of ten minutes per user is allotted, and users must not block disposal areas.
- Items left in the reuse area will be cleaned out as needed.
- Allowable items include building materials, cookware, decorations, electronics, furniture, kitchen appliances, outdoor equipment, sport and recreation equipment, tools, and toys.
- Large appliances, car seats, chemicals, liquids, clothing, large furniture, mattresses, and perishables are restricted items.