INSIDE THIS EDITION: MID-SEPT
2025
Frequency of Hope at Bryce Ray Community Center
Glass Recycling in the Mat-Su
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INSIDE THIS EDITION:
A Fresh Look: Houston’s Day Use Park Gets Major Upgrades MORE ON PAGE 4 OF THE PEOPLE’S PAPER
Palmer Alehouse Wraps Up Concert Series MORE ON PAGE 7 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE
Rotary Uncorked Returns to Menard MORE ON PAGE 4 OF THE PEOPLE’S PAPER
Contributed by Lex Kerst valleyrecycling.org On September 9th, Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (aka, VCRS or Valley Recycling) began accepting glass. This marks the first time in over 17 years that glass has been collected for recycling in the Mat-Su. VCRS has, on site, a “big blue” Andela glass pulverizing machine, allowing them to recycle the glass into a product right in Palmer. Glass is collected outside, near the back of the recycling center— recyclers can visit the drive-through and follow signs and cones to the glass collection area. In the first few days, over 100 people visited to drop off their collections of glass for recycling. Blue glass is separated, and the rest is placed into barrels while they await pulverization. The glass fed to “big blue” is crushed, pulverized, and deposited as glass sand. Bits of
labels are spit out one side, and a water line keeps the dust down. This glass sand comes in two sizes—larger, pebble-sized chunks or “cullets” of glass, and a finer mix of powdery sand and fine gravel-sized pieces. The cullets are sharper and larger, but retain more color and contrast from the original bottles. The sand ends up pale and fine, with bits of green, brown and clear dotting the powder. After being crushed, the glass sand and cullets are available for purchase right next to the collection area. There are a multitude of uses for the glass sand, such as traction sand or “glascrete” concrete additive. As an additive to soil, it increases drainage and reduces compaction. As an additive to vermicompost, it can aid in the worms’ digestion. The sand is safe to handle and biologically inert, making it an option for landscaping and gardens. To get the best idea of the consistency of the glass sand, it’s recommended to visit and handle the material for yourself. VCRS is encouraging those that use the glass sand to share how they’ve used it and how it’s worked. Learn more or tell VCRS how you’ve used glass sand at valleyrecycling.org, on Facebook, at the office, or by calling 907-745-5544.
Funnies Inside: Chad Carpenter‘s Tundra MORE ON PAGE 6 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE
AKJT Season Tickets Available Now
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City of Wasilla Trick-Or-Treat Event MORE ON PAGE 2 OF THE PEOPLE’S PAPER
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Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums
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“Big Blue” Andela glass pulverizing machine.
Mat-Su Concert Band Fall Concert
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