September 18, 2002
For Immediate Release
ALASKA STATE FAIR RECYCLES 14.5 TONS AS A GREEN EVENT
Approximately 500 volunteers collected more than 14.5 tons of corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, glass bottles, and plastic bottles discarded by Fairgoers and vendors at this year’s Alaska State Fair in Palmer. That’s almost 10 large 40-cubic-yard roll-off containers full of material. In past years, these materials would have gone into the landfill. This year, they have been given a second life, just as recycling has been given a second life at the Fair.
This year’s Fair recycling effort was the first comprehensive recycling program initiated at the Fair, but not the first attempt. An aluminum can recycling program was tried at the Fair several years ago and it provided a foundation on which to build this year’s program, including the numerous recycling bins and many lessons learned.
Green Star and Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (VCRS) worked closely with staff at the Alaska State Fair to develop this year’s recycling plan, recruit volunteers, and arrange the logistics of collection and transportation.
During the Fair, several visitors from other fairs observed activities, evaluated the efforts, and provided suggestions for improvement. Almost exclusively they talked about the recycling program as a positive part of the Fair, and one visitor stated that he thought the recycling effort was the second best aspect of the fair, after the beautiful flowers.
“The biggest plus was how many people commented on the fact that they could see recycling in action,” said Pamella Troutman, Vendor and Exhibits Manager for the Alaska State Fair. “People saw volunteers pulling carts and collecting and sorting materials on the Fairgrounds, not just signs or banners that said there was recycling going on.”
Organizers are already thinking about next year and ways to improve the program. If your organization is interested in getting involved as a volunteer group next year, contact Green Star or VCRS. For more information about the Alaska State Fair recycling effort, contact Jeanne Carlson at Green Star --(907) 278-7827 or jeanne@greenstarinc.org or Mollie Boyer at VCRS – (907) 357-4765 or solutions@valleyrecycling.org. Visit Green Star’s web site at www.greenstarinc.org for information about the Green Events program.
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Green Star, VCRS, and the Alaska State Fair wish to thank the following sponsors who provided funding and/or supplies for the Alaska State Fair recycling effort:
NAPCOR (National Association of PET Container Resources)
BP
Smurfit-Stone Recycling Company (Anchorage Recycling Center)
Anchorage Refuse (A Waste Management Company)
ALPAR (Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling)
Pepsi Cola Bottling Group
Coca-Cola Bottling of Alaska
Anchorage Daily News
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Great Harvest Bread Company
Save U More
D&A Shop Rite
Bagels Alaska
Fred Meyer
Stellar Designs
Mat-Su Borough
Thank you to the following organizations, each of which provided a team of volunteers:
AIC Clinic
Alaska Center for the Environment
Alaska Job Corps
Alaska Youth for Environmental Action
Americorps
Anchor Park United Methodist Church
Arc of Anchorage
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Boy Scout Troop #176
BP
Cadet and Senior Girl Scouts of the Mat-Su Council
CH2M Hill
Chickaloon Traditional Council
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - Wasilla
Corporate Express
Elmendorf Air Force Base
Friends of Mat-Su
Girl Scout Troop # 374
Heritage Christian School
I.B.E.W. and Unions
Immanuel Presbyterian Church
Mat-Su Boys & Girls Club
Mat-Su Employees Association
Matanuska Telephone Association
MWH Inc.
Palmer Kiwanis Club
Palmer Rotoract
Palmer Rotary Club
Phillips Alaska, Inc.
State of Alaska – Maternal, Child, and Family Health
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Wasilla Rotary Club
