Welcome to the Solid Waste page.
Garbage Service
Alaska Waste has been contracted to run all aspects of solid waste in Sitka: the transfer station, the recycling center, the scrap yard, and trash collection. For any questions regarding things such as: repairs to my garbage can; I missed my garbage day, what happens now; placement of my garbage can, you will want to contact Alaska Waste. Their phone number is 907-747-5669. If you need help regarding your Utility Bill, contact the City of Sitka Utilities Office at 747-1818 #2.
What to take where and the rates for Solid Waste Disposal (items you are getting rid of).
Trying to figure out what to take where, on what days and times. Click here: CBS Disposal Locations and Rates 2023.pdf for location of the Recycle Center, Transfer Station, Gary Paxton Industrial Park (GPIP) Scrap Yard, Granite Creek Overburden/Waste Site, Vehicle Batteries and Sitka Landfill,
For the Overburden Waste Location Map, click here: PSA-OverburdenWasteDisposal.pdf
What is Household Hazardous Waste?
Hazardous Waste is leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients are considered to be household hazardous waste (HHW). Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides, that contain potentially hazardous ingredients require special care when you dispose of them. These can include, cleaners, solvents, paint thinners, oils, antifreeze, pesticides, and automotive products. If you have questions about whether something is hazardous, please call Public Works at 907-747-1804.
Sitka has one Hazardous Waste Collection event each year in the spring. The upcoming event date will be announced by the end of February 2022. So save your hazardous waste! Do not just dump it out or throw it away.
Here is a link about Hazardous Waste:
Solid Waste
| Item |
SOLID WASTE SUMMARY |
| Off Island Disposal | Regional Disposal Company (contract) |
| Garbage Collection | Alaska Waste-Sitka, LLC (contract) 907-747-5669- Weekly collection of solid waste from residential and commercial customers
- Operates the Jarvis Street Transfer Station
|
| Biosolids/Landfill | City and Borough of Sitka- Wastewater Treatment Plant waste (sludge disposal) goes to the Landfill in the Granite Creek Industrial Park
|
| Land Clearing/Landfill | Marble Island, LLC (lease)- Overburden debris disposal
- Lease site at Granite Creek pit
|
| Recycling | Alaska Waste-Sitka, LLC. (contract)- Source separated and bale for shipping off island; currently recycling plastic #1 & #2, aluminum, metal, and corrugated cardboard
City and Borough of Sitka |
| Household Hazardous Waste | City and Borough of Sitka- Contract with an environmental specialist to manage the material collected at the event
- Provide personnel to assist in sorting and packaging the collected material
|
Scrapyard
| City and Borough of Sitka- Process vehicles, white goods, fuel tanks and tires
- Remove toxic fluids and material from products
- Sort, bail and ship assorted metals
|
|
How Can I Recycle...
- Aluminum: Recycle Center on Sawmill Creek Road across from National Cemetery. Be sure to dispose of the bags in the trash, not in the aluminum recycle area.
- Car batteries: Napa Auto Parts - 100 Smith Street (747-6659).
- Cardboard: Corrugated cardboard only. Recycle Center on Sawmill Creek Road across from National Cemetery. No waxed boxes accepted such as fish boxes.
- Fluorescent tubes: Used and unbroken, Saturdays from 12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m. at the Transfer Station. There is a .50 cent fee for each bulb accepted at the center. Businesses who have large numbers of bulbs should call 747-8670 to arrange for pick-up. Please do not drop off bulbs at any other time.
- Glass: Recycle Center on Sawmill Creek Road across from National Cemetery. Paper labels are okay. Remove caps.
- Oil - Used motor oil: Each harbor in town has a green container specifically to store used motor oil.
- Paper: Newsprint can go in the Newspaper bin.
- Plastic grocery bags: Return them to the Grocery store, donate to thrift stores, or the library.
- Plastic: Recycle Center on Sawmill Creek Road across from National Cemetery. Remove lids, rinse out, and watch for the numbers (1 & 2), be sure you put the right number in the right bin. Cloudy milk jugs should be squished flat. Labels are okay.
A great link to read is Smart Plastics Guide by the Public Broadcasting System (PBS).
Changes to Recycling - November 2017
The City and Borough of Sitka Center will no longer be accepting plastics 3 through 7 or mixed paper for recycle. World wide demand for recyclable products has declined and forced Republic Services, our waste collection contractor, to stop accepting materials. Corrugated cardboard, tin, aluminum, glass, and plastics 1 and 2 will continue to be collected. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Tips for Readying Items for Recycling
- PEANUT BUTTER JARS: A tip for cleaning peanut butter jars - fill the jar up and let it soak overnight, then the next day pour half of the water out, replace the lid and shake it vigorously. This will clean the softened peanut butter out.
- PLASTIC SOAP CONTAINERS: Only #1 & #2 types. Containers that held shampoo or laundry soap should be filled halfway and shaken. Then pour this out and refill the bottle all the way so water pushes excess foam out.
- LAUNDRY DETERGENT: Large detergent bottles can be recycled also. You can pour a bit of water in, replace the lid and shake. Then you can use this water to wash another load of clothes!
- PIZZA BOX DILEMMA: Do you or don't you recycle pizza boxes? The golden rule for pizza boxes is if there is a grease stain bigger than a half dollar - Throw it away! Same goes if there is any cheese or toppings stuck to the box... throw it away. Otherwise it will contaminate the cardboard recycling.
Recycling Links
Local Thrift Stores
- Salvation Army
- 405 Sawmill Creek Road
- 907-747-3358
- Sweet Peas
- 1321 Sawmill Creek Road Suite B
- 907-747-7972
- Tongass Threads
- 236 Lincoln Street, #102 in the Franklin Mall
- 907-747-2792
- White Elephant
- 323 Seward Street
- 907-747-3430
