Free disposal offered again for old vehicles, scrap metal

Channel Construction, which runs the scrap metal recycling operation at the former 6-Mile mill site, has resumed accepting unusable vehicles and large appliances from the public — and it’s free.

The company collects scrap metal from throughout Southeast Alaska and ships it by barge for recycling out of state. It has operated at the mill site for more than a year, and recently signed a five-year lease to use the borough-owned property.

The drop-off site reopened to the public on May 3 and will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Channel Construction announced last week. The recycling yard phone number is 907-723-7562.

“All metals will be accepted as long as they are free of fluids, batteries and any hazardous materials,” the company said in its announcement. “Automobiles will be accepted if all fluids, batteries and tires are removed — including the fuel tanks.”

In the past, people would sometimes knowingly or unknowingly leave fuel in the tank, which would leak. “I’d rather have it out,” a Channel Construction worker said last week of gas tanks.

In addition to gasoline and diesel, all oils and hydraulic fluids — anything that could be hazardous — must be drained out before dumping the vehicle.

Besides cars, trucks and vans, Channel will accept appliances such as washers and dryers and other large kitchen appliances. “Anything that’s steel,” plus aluminum too.

If someone can’t drive or tow or haul their old car or truck as far as 6-Mile, they can bring it to the borough’s solid waste transfer station on the north end of the island and pay $300 to leave it there.

Same as Channel Construction, the borough will not accept vehicles unless they are drained of fluids and their tires removed.

People can bring their appliances to the borough station, but it will cost $40 to dump a washer or dryer, and $80 for a refrigerator or freezer.

 

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