Mat-Su鈥檚 recycling center will begin accepting glass drop-offs early next month, with plans to process and resell the material as sand and gravel. Starting Sept. 9, residents can drop off glass at the Valley Community for Recycling Solutions center near the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Central Landfill in Palmer. Glass will not be accepted at landfill transfer stations.
The update marks the first time Mat-Su residents will be able to recycle glass in the region in nearly 20 years. Recycling center crews will process the glass through the center鈥檚 large new pulverizer machine, converting it into material in a range of textures, including very fine sand or smooth-edged chunks. The pulverized glass can be safely used for a wide variety of purposes, including traction or compost sand, or as walkway gravel, recycling center officials said during a preview of the machine Friday.
Officials plan to sell the processed glass to the public for about $5 per bucket. Specific prices are still under review, they said. The Valley Community for Recycling Solutions is a nonprofit funded by grants, donations, sales of collected goods, and about $200,000 in annual borough subsidies.