The Southeast Alaska Solid Waste Authority, or SEASWA, an organization trying to reduce the cost of trash disposal in the region, has received a $500,000 grant from the federally funded Denali Commission to study more economical and efficient options for getting rid of waste.
Waste disposal costs in the region have increased dramatically over the past few years, Wrangell Public Works Director Tom Wetor said. Increases could be due to a number of reasons like inflation, COVID disruptions or fuel and other costs charged by barge companies that haul the garbage out of state.
Due to cost increases, Wetor said Wrangell and other communities have had to implement rate increases. SEASWA applied for the grant in an effort to figure out how to reduce costs.
SEASWA consists of nine communities in the region: Wrangell, Petersburg, Tenakee Springs, Hydaburg, Thorne Bay, Craig, Klawock, Kasaan and Coffman Cove.
Some communities in the region still have open landfills, while others, like Wrangell, ship trash out.
Wrangell currently works with the waste management company Republic Services to ship waste to Seattle via barge, where it then gets transferred on railways to a landfill in southcentral Washington.
Wetor added that it’s only a matter of time before landfills run out of space, with costs to build new landfills upwards of $20 million.
The Denali Commission grant will allow SEASWA to conduct deeper research than has been possible in the past and really crunch the numbers, Wetor said. It’s possible the research will conclude the current model is the best option. He said that in the past, the current model was found to be the best option, but the recent cost escalations have warranted a second look at things.
Wetor wondered if there might be options for a larger regional facility, or a way for communities in the region to work to lower costs.
Wrangell’s contract with Republic Services is up in two years, said Wetor, who hopes that research into other options will be done before then so that the borough can plan ahead.
Congress created the Denali Commission in 1998 to promote rural development in Alaska, including improved water and sewer systems, waste management, telecommunications and energy systems.
Reader Comments(0)