Borough finds a place for hazardous waste

Mat-Su — Handling hazardous waste is a dangerous job, but it has became a little less so at the Mat-Su Borough Central Landfill.

Friday marked the opening of the Borough’s new hazardous waste facility at the landfill. Although the $1.7 million facility is open for business, it won’t be completely operational until the beginning of November. The 6,000-square-foot building includes all the bells and whistles a contemporary hazardous waste facility should have — an emergency shower, beefed-up ventilation and knowledgeable employees.

Terry Berger is in charge of handling all the hazardous waste at the Central Landfill. Although he has two months of backlogged waste to sort through, he is happy his job is easier and less hazardous because of the new facility.

“In the past we had to do everything outside or in a small building that was basically a shack,” Berger said. “This facility allows us to more effectively and economically take care of everybody.”

The average household has numerous items that are considered hazardous waste, Berger said. Bleach, cleaning solvents, motor oil, paint, antifreeze and propane tanks are all household items that can be handled at the new hazardous waste facility, and Berger welcomes anyone to come by the facility and drop off waste.

“We’re trying to let the citizens know we’re here,” he said. “Come see us, come use the facility more often and try to keep the your stuff clean.”

Keeping waste “clean” is a valuable part of the disposal process, Berger said. As long as the waste, especially motor oil, isn’t mixed with waste like kitty litter or other fluids, Berger is able to recycle it. Although the facility is capable of storing and managing hazardous waste, the “dirty.” or non-reusable, waste still has to be shipped to the Lower 48 to be incinerated. This process costs $1.75 per gallon.

“The cleaner you give it to me the easier it is for me to reuse and it will cost less to get rid of,” he said.

Many people think it may cost too much to properly dispose of oil and batteries, but that’s not the case, Berger said.

During each visit to the landfill the average household can drop off five gallons of oil or paint, one gallon of antifreeze and one propane tank free of charge. Starting in November, households can drop off up to 40 pounds of hazardous waste for free on the last Saturday of every month.

The Mat-Su Borough Central Landfill is located at 1101 N. 49th State St. For more information visit www.matsugov.us.

Contact Chris Gillow at 352-2284 or chris.gillow@frontiersman.com.