Spring cleanup

Illegal trash dumping is unhealthy

Some people just dont get it. When I read the article in the Feb. 29th Frontiersman regarding illegal dumping in the Butte, I was appalled. I was also shocked, amazed and angry.

What on earth are these people thinking? Where do they suppose the garbage they carelessly dump is going to go? The trash that gets tossed away so thoughtlessly is going to hang around and contaminate our water and soil for a long, long time.

Thankfully, one person had the good grace (and fear of reprisal) to clean up the mess. Whats really disgusting is the fact that illegal dumping will continue to happen until the perpetrators are forced to accept responsibility for their actions. Best of luck to the residents of the Butte in combating this problem. Education or enlightenment is the only way to change the mind-set of the guilty parties. Unfortunately, some people are very resistant to change.

Illicit dumping is not only against the law, its totally unnecessary. Garbage service is extremely affordable. Four different refuse companies operate all over the Mat-Su Borough. They offer a variety of rates and services. Its a simple thing to establish service and requires a minimum amount of time on your part. All it takes is sitting down with the phone book and making a few calls.

In addition, Valley residents who choose to haul their own trash are quite fortunate to have accessible, reasonably priced disposal options. Gate fees at the Central Landfill and transfer cites are quite inexpensive, especially when compared to the Lower 48. In many locations Outside, it is impossible for private citizens to go to the dump. Landfills are either strictly commercial operations with no private haulers allowed or are located many miles from residential areas. My parents live in Indiana, and the option of hauling their own trash just does not exist.

In contrast, we in the Mat-Su Borough have an extremely user-friendly system of transfer sites. Facilities are located in the Butte, Big Lake, Willow, Trapper Creek, Talkeetna, Sunshine and Sutton. The Central Landfill on Moffitt Road is open seven days a week (Mon-Fri 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sat-Sun 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). They not only accept basic garbage but will also accept household hazardous waste on the last Saturday of the month.

And, with the recent increase in recycling in the Mat-Su Valley, you can be assured that the newspapers, aluminum, packing peanuts and cardboard you keep out of the landfill will be reused or remanufactured. One-Stop Recycling Events are sponsored by Valley Community for Recycling Solutions, Wal-Mart, many Valley businesses and community organizations. There is a huge amount of participation at these events, as evidenced by the amount of clean product collected and available, willing volunteers. Many Valley residents currently recycle and the community involvement and commitment is increasing with each successful One Stop.

With all of these available options, there is just absolutely no reason for an individual to dump illegally. Call it laziness, call it indifference, call it irresponsibility, its just plain wrong.

Editors note: When not writing Spectrum articles, Pamela Krieber works for Wasilla Refuse, Inc.