Time to give something back to the fair …

Frontiersman editorial board

Ask not what your fair can do for you; ask what you can do for the environment. This year the Alaska State Fair will ask fairgoers to make a little effort for the environment while enjoying the exhibits, great food and other attractions at the popular event.

The fair draws thousands every year, and those thousands create tons of refuse as one byproduct of all the fun -- somewhere in the neighborhood of 30.5 tons in recyclable drink containers alone.

This year fair organizers will ask visitors to pitch in by tossing those containers into separate containers for aluminum, glass and plastic. Volunteers will gather and sort the recyclables and make sure they get to the right places. Green Star Inc. and Valley Community Recycling Solutions have also been part of the planning effort. Bravo to all.

Organizers have set a target of recovering half the recyclable material this year, though their real goal is to simply raise awareness of recycling options and the sheer volume of refuse generated at the fair.

While they feel the goal of collecting half the material may be a little bold, we're hoping fairgoers will respond and help the fair exceed that goal. In a place that prides itself on natural beauty and an individual take-charge attitude, Troutman and the other planners are offering Alaskans an opportunity to step up to the recycle bin and hit a home run for the environment and for Alaska.

This effort should serve as an example not only for recycling, but for problem solving in general. It's a great example of a few people identifying a problem and developing a positive, creative solution without waiting for the government or some other outside entity to step in.

It's a solution that is based upon all the things that make the Valley a great place to live. It's about creating a community effort that takes advantage of our greatest assets -- pride in the place where we live, a can-do attitude and good, old-fashioned people power.

The bins will be regularly emptied by volunteers, and volunteers will also sort the containers into recyclable groups at a central location. While many people have already signed up to take part in that effort, there is still room for more. The volunteers will work four-hour shifts. Each will also get a free fair pass for that day, and they will be provided with sturdy gloves for the somewhat sticky task.

If you want to volunteer, and we hope you do, contact Mollie Boyer at VCRS at 357-4765 or Troutman at (907) 278-7839.