Recycling center expands offering

PALMER -- Ever wonder what actually happens at the Valley Community for Recycling Solutions? Have questions about recycling but don't know who to ask? Want to set up a recycling center at home but don't know where to begin?

Valley Community for Recycling Solutions is holding an open house Friday at its location on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway adjacent to North 49th State Street, in celebration of its Membership and Resource Awareness Month. From 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, VCRS will open its doors to the public to show off its facility, give thanks to local volunteers and answer questions about recycling in the Mat-Su. Visitors can tour the processing plant, shop in the recently opened resale/retail store and check out displays about the life cycles of resources used to make numerous everyday projects.

The store is a new addition to VCRS' repertoire. Executive Director Mollie Boyer said the group gets a number of items that could be resold, from people who just aren't sure where to bring them.

"People turn in the weirdest stuff that's reusable," Boyer said.

The space for items for resale is limited, she said, as the group is focusing on offering other items as well -- packing peanuts, stackable recycling bins, informational videos and reusable boxes, for example. Eventually, Boyer said, the group would like to offer 100-percent recycled paper and offer a place where builders can take excess building materials for resale. Money generated from the sales will go back into VCRS' operational fund.

"It helps us to be self-sustaining, and it's something else that's not available in the community," Boyer said.

Refreshments will be served and door prizes will be given throughout the evening. For more information, contact VCRS at 745-5544.