COMMUNITY PLASTICS RECYCLING

The Kenai Peninsula community is taking their plastic waste problem into their own hands!

THE PROBLEM

Single-use plastics, virgin plastics, and the fact that only a small percentage of it gets recycled are the problems. Government based plastic recycling programs, when available, do not work. If it is not profitable in the global plastics market these programs will throw the plastics stockpiles in landfills. And then just image the large carbon footprint of shipping all the plastic waste around the world.  There needs to be a change in our plastics recycling systems.

THE OTHER PROBLEM

Image from Global Ghost Gear Initiative and Northwest Straits Foundation

Ghost nets! Ghost nets are fishing nets that have been abandoned or lost in the oceans and cause serious damage to the marine ecosystem. Modern fishing nets are made of synthetic materials that don't easily degrade and will have a continuous cycle of destruction if not removed from the oceans. To learn more about ghost nets go to earth.org, Olive Ridley Project, or wikipedia.

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THE SOLUTION

Start community based recycling and manufacturing! In comes Patrick Simpson, an engineer with a passion to create viable products out of what others consider waste. Check out his other projects here and here. Simpson with Alaska Plastics Recovery has created a Mobile Plastics Ocean Waste Recycler. The plastics waste recycler is designed to fit in a 40-foot container for easy transport between communities in Alaska.

This EPA grant funded program will allow the community to keep hard to recycle plastics out of the landfill, as well as out of the oceans, and turn it into synthetic "lumber". This recycled plastic lumber/decking (think Trex composite decking) will be made out of plastic ocean waste, ghost nets, and plastic consumer waste. All collected, processed, manufactured, and sold locally. No more big carbon footprint and logistical costs of transporting the plastic waste globally.
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY!

Graphic provided by Cook Inletkeeper

Plastic ocean waste + Plastic consumer waste = Community sourced and manufactured plastic lumber. All made and sold in Alaska! SO EXCITING!
This community project is made possible by your participation and excitement, plus the following partnerships:

• EPA. To learn more about the grant funding and in depth details about project goals visit the EPA website here. 
• Alaska Plastics Recovery and PKS Consulting, Inc.
• Sustainable Seward
  
• ReGroup
  
• Cook Inletkeeper
• And the collection bag hosts: The Goods, Sustainable Wares, Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, Cook Inletkeeper's Community Action Studio, and various locations in Seward.

THE OTHER SOLUTION

REDUCE, REUSE, REFILL, REFUSE, AND RECYCLE. Recycling is always the last option. Here are other ways to keep single-use plastics out of the oceans and landfill:

• Properly dispose of your waste and pick up any litter that you come across to reduce the amount that ends up in our waterways.
• Reuse containers that you can't avoid purchasing.
• Refuse plastic containers. Choose products that come in more easily recyclable containers, like aluminum and glass.
• Reduce the use of smaller containers. Can you buy in bulk or DIY? Can you grow your own?
• Refill at your local refill shop. This website is a great resource to find one in your area.
• Choose products that are sustainably manufactured and avoid greenwashing. Shop consciously, shop SUSTAINABLE WARES!
  

OTHER LINKS

Other links not listed above:

• Ghost Gear: https://www.ghostgear.org/projects/2018/10/10/northwest-straits-derelict-fishing-gear-program
• Peninsula Clarion: https://www.peninsulaclarion.com/news/seward-recycling-program-to-turn-plastic-into-lumber/
• Alaska Public Media: https://alaskapublic.org/2021/05/19/anchorage-engineer-plans-to-recycle-ocean-garbage-into-plastic-lumber/
• Earth 911: https://earth911.com/how-and-buy/products-made-from-recycled-ocean-plastic/