The Municipality of Skagway has implemented the first Zero Waste and Recycling Plan in the State of Alaska. This effort took into consideration the significant challenges due to its small population and geographic location in Southeast Alaska.
As part of this planning effort, SCS Engineers conducted a waste composition study, which showed that nearly 2/3 of the community’s waste stream of 1,100 tons per year is recyclable and compostable. Much of the compostable waste stream consists of food waste and paper products from a vibrant restaurant trade during the summer tourist season that includes almost one million cruise ship visitors.
SCS conducted a detailed feasibility study of alternatives ranges from low-tech windrow composting to high-tech in-vessel composting technologies. Conceptual designs were developed for each alternative, including estimates of capital, operating and user fees for these various alternatives. SCS made recommendations of possible changes necessary in the Municipal Code to accomplish expanded composting and for residential and commercial customers of the proposed system.
SCS prepared a five and ten–year implementation schedule for the project.
Highlights of SCS services include:
