Interior Alaska Green Star Annual Report 2012 Physical Address: 565 University Avenue, Suite 4, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709 Mailing Address: PO Box 82391, Fairbanks, Alaska 99708 (907) 452-4152 www.iagreenstar.org [email protected]Executive Director Kalee Meurlott [email protected]Mission Statement Interior Alaska Green Star is a non-profit organization which encourages households and businesses to practice waste reduction, energy conservation and pollution prevention
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Interior Alaska Green Star Annual Report
2012
Physical Address: 565 University Avenue, Suite 4, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Mailing Address: PO Box 82391, Fairbanks, Alaska 99708
The Fairbanks North Star Borough Solid Waste Division was a key partner in the 2012 Electronics
Recycling collections. Although the funding for this program was based on the recommendation
of the Recycling Commission, the actual funds came from the Solid Waste Division. That being
said, their monetary contributions were essential to the increased success of this program over
the past year.
Air Land Transport continues to be a critical partner for our Electronics Recycling program; they generously donated the shipment of eleven trailers full of electronics recyclables to Anchorage during 2012.
Alaska Waste continues to provide us with a location for monthly collections at the Electronics
Recycling Depot by generously donating the use of warehouse space at their Phillips Field Road
location. This partnership provides space for our monthly collection activities and storage of
electronics between shipments to Anchorage. In addition, they provide us with necessary
equipment and labor services at reasonable rates.
Compost Bin Sales – Alaska Feed Company
IAGS launched our compost bin sale program in April of 2010. Backyard composting is an easy way to
turn a large portion of household waste into a valuable product. IAGS regularly provided information
about composting at our outreach events throughout the year. In addition, we continue to sell the Earth
Machine compost bins through a consignment partnership with Alaska Feed Company at a price of $75.
These easy-to-use compost corrals are made of 50% post-consumer recycled plastic, and are an
excellent way to get into composting for people who are just starting out with this activity. A portion of
the sales of these bins goes to support IAGS programs and events.
Alaska State Gaming License – Application Submitted
In September, IAGS submitted an Alaska State Gaming License application with the hopes to implement a raffle fundraiser at the 2013 Tanana Valley State Fair.
In 2012, IAGS began a small-scale pilot program to extend our services by providing various levels of recycling assistance to several special events within the community. In light of the ongoing changes to the recycling scene in Fairbanks, the importance of establishing and sustaining recycling opportunities for our community has never been more apparent.
One important component of a successful community recycling program that is largely missing in the Fairbanks area is support for recycling at special events. Interior Alaska Green Star (IAGS) has partnered with the Tanana Valley State Fair Association to run a recycling program for the annual fair every year since 2006. However, much more is needed in order to expand special event recycling opportunities beyond this single event.
Tanana Valley State Fair Recycling – August 2-11
IAGS partnered with the Tanana Valley State Fair Association (TVSF)
and several local organizations to coordinate the recycling efforts for
the ten full days of the Fair. K&K Recycling generously provided the
collection dumpsters and hauling for the plastic and aluminum. At the
end of the Fair, 1,536 pounds of aluminum and 1,024 pounds of
plastic were delivered to K&K Recycling. A huge thank you goes out to
our dedicated recycling volunteers who dig through trash bins to
recover recyclables, carry bags of collected recyclables to the central
recycling dumpster, and sort and separate all the plastic bottles and
aluminum cans. We could not do this work without them.
Midnight Sun Festival – June 21
Interior Alaska Green Star and the Fairbanks Rescue Mission (FRM) partnered together to provide
recycling, sorting and collection service for the 2012 Midnight Sun Festival (MSF). We were delighted to
be invited to partner with the Downtown Association and the Fairbanks Rescue Mission (FRM) Recycling
Center to coordinate a Recycling Program for the Festival this year. With teamwork and a great working
partnership, IAGS and FRM recruited, trained, and supervised 25-30 volunteers to staff the recycling
efforts during the 12-hour event. Each of these dedicated and hard-working volunteers generously gave
their time walking up and down the streets of the Festival, rescuing recyclable bottles and cans from
trash bins, and emptying recycling bins as needed. All recyclables were sorted and transported to the
central recycling dumpster generously provided by Alaska Waste. Through these outstanding volunteer
efforts, we were able to collect 102 pounds of aluminum cans and 154 pounds of plastic bottles for
recycling over the course of the Festival.
Equinox Marathon (September 21) & Tour de Cure (June 9) –
IAGS also provided a recycling, sorting and collection service for the 2012 Equinox Marathon and Tour
de Cure events. We were delighted to be asked to provide this service and look forward to expanding
the Special Events Recycling Service in 2013.
Interior Alaska Green Star – 2012 Annual Report
5
Public Outreach and Education
Fairbanks Recycling Guide
IAGS first launched the Fairbanks Recycling Guide in
August of 2011. Thanks to a generous grant from the
FNSB Recycling Commission, we distributed an updated
guide to approximately 14,000 recipients of the
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner on Sunday, February 26th,
2012. This guide provides updated information about
how and where to reuse and recycle many different
materials in our community. It includes charts, lists, and
a map to help residents navigate the somewhat complex
recycling scene in Fairbanks.
One of IAGS’s primary missions is to encourage
residents and businesses in the Fairbanks North Star
Borough to practice waste reduction and recycling. The
Fairbanks Recycling Guide provides us with a powerful
educational tool in order to continue working towards
this mission. We hope that future editions of the guide
will include additional topical and/or seasonal articles to help residents find ways to live more
sustainably at home, school, and work.
Tanana Valley State Fair – August 2nd – 11th
IAGS staff, board, and volunteers enjoyed
time spent at the Tanana Valley State Fair
hosting an informational booth in the
Borealis Pavilion. The Tanana Valley State
Fair represents the perfect opportunity for
IAGS to reach out and connect with our
community, so this is always an important
event for our education efforts. Thanks to
many hours put in by IAGS volunteers and
board members, we were able to educate
Fairbanks area residents on our mission,
programs, and events.
Interior Alaska Green Star – 2012 Annual Report
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Informational Booths
IAGS is often invited to participate in events coordinated by other local organizations. We appreciate
these opportunities to share information with community members about our organization’s mission
and activities – as well as the chance to meet and network with other local organizations.
In 2012, IAGS hosted informational booths at the following events:
North Haven Communities (Fort Wainwright) – “Life 101” Education Fair – February 7th
Fairbanks Rollergirls – Roller Derby Bout – March 19th
North Haven Communities (Fort Wainwright) – Earth Day Event – April 22nd
Randy Smith Middle School – Garden Bazaar – April 23rd
GVEA Annual Meeting – Earth Day Event – April 25th
Downtown Association – Midnight Sun Festival – June 21st
Tanana Valley State Fair – August 2-11th
Community Involvement
Clean Up Day – May 11th
IAGS partnered with the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, United Way of the Tanana
Valley, Boy Scouts of America Midnight Sun Boy Scout Council, & the 2013 Chamber investors to
clean up trash around the community. IAGS had 15 volunteers (including 3 kids) – split into two
teams to cover several areas
● First team cleaned up University Ave between Airport/Geist (and some south of Airport)
● Second team cleaned up Phillips Field Rd near Spenards and near AK Waste Recycling Center
● Good effort for our first year – we will keep working to find better spots for our cleanup team
First Friday Events
In February, IAGS acquired a new office space (location: 565 University Avenue). To celebrate our
relocation, IAGS hosted a First Friday Art Event and IAGS Office Open House on June 1st. The theme was
“Art of the Obsolete”. The art, food, decorations, and company were all wonderful and we look forward
to doing this again. IAGS also planned and executed a First Friday at the Morris Thompson Center on
October 5th.
Volunteer Appreciation Party In an effort to thank our dedicated volunteers, IAGS hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Party to extend our gratitude to our organization’s hard working volunteers. The party was a success and will be instituted as an annual event.
Interior Alaska Green Star – 2012 Annual Report
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Board of Directors
Pam Seiser
Alaska Biological Research, Inc.
Bill Smyth, Secretary
Department of Environmental Conservation
Carol Ann Varner, Treasurer
Tanana Valley League of Women Voters
Darcie Warden, President
Alaska Wilderness League
David Weissman, Vice President (Through June 2012)
Design Alaska, Inc.
FNSB Recycling Commission
Dianne Porter (From March 2012)
GVEA
Interior Alaska Green Star – 2012 Annual Report
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Volunteers
Thank you to all our dedicated IAGS volunteers!
Megan Allen Steven Frazer Joy Morrison Janelle Sweeney
Sharon Baker Regina Frazer Mary Ann Nickles Ann Swift