Alaska Compost Conference
Anchorage Solid Waste Service is hosting the first ever Alaska Compost Conference and we are beyond excited. This event will last two days (October 17th-18th). Dr. Robert Rynk, author of the The USCC’s Composting Handbook, and Matthew Cotton will be there to share some great information. Day 1 will include presentations on “Composting Foundations” and Day 2 will be in the field.
This is a free event. Please RSVP to compost@muni.org.
Backyard Composting Program - Third Session
Join us for the third and final session of the 2024 Backyard Composting Program. Attend a two-hour composting workshop and go home with a brand new composter so you can start composting at home.
We’ll discuss how the composting process works, how to do it, what you can put in your pile, and some good management practices depending on your goals and desired time commitment.
This workshop is completely free, but SIGN UP IS REQUIRED! Space is limited and composters must be ordered ahead of time. Click the link below to sign up.
The workshop will take place at:
1679 23rd Avenue in Fairbanks, AK from 6pm - 8pm on Thursday June 27th, 2024. It is located in the garden area next to Corinthian Baptist Church on the corner of 23rd and Lathrop St. The church parking lot is available for parking but the building will not be unlocked so there is no bathroom on site. However, there is a public bathroom at the Holiday Gas Station down the road if needed.
The workshop will be outside so please plan accordingly (closed toed/waterproof shoes recommended, bug spray, water bottles, sunscreen, etc.)
If you have an questions leading up to the workshop or need to cancel/reschedule please email compostfbx@gmail.com
Backyard Composting Program - Second Session
Join us for the second session of the Backyard Composting Program. Attend a two-hour composting workshop and go home with a brand new composter so you can start composting at home.
We’ll discuss how the composting process works, how to do it, what you can put in your pile, and some good management practices depending on your goals and desired time commitment.
This workshop is completely free, but SIGN UP IS REQUIRED! Space is limited and composters must be ordered ahead of time. Click the link below to sign up.
The workshop will take place at:
1679 23rd Avenue in Fairbanks, AK from 10am - 12pm on Saturday June 15th, 2024. It is located in the garden area next to Corinthian Baptist Church on the corner of 23rd and Lathrop St. The church parking lot is available for parking but the building will not be unlocked so there is no bathroom on site. However, there is a public bathroom at the Holiday Gas Station down the road if needed.
The workshop will be outside so please plan accordingly (closed toed/waterproof shoes recommended, bug spray, water bottles, sunscreen, etc.)
If you have an questions leading up to the workshop or need to cancel/reschedule please email compostfbx@gmail.com
Composting Basics Workshop
Join us at the Goldstream Community Garden for part of their workshop series. Learn about the basics of composting at home, how you can get involved in composting and gardening without yard space, and a little more about the garden itself.
The workshop is free and open to the public, no sign-up requried.
Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District Tree Sale
Stop by the Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual Tree and Shrub Sale. We’ll be there selling locally produced compost from St. Isidore Farm and Red Wiggler composting worms. We’ll be there to answer any questions you may have about composting and our program as well.
We will have bags for the compost but you’ll receive a discount for bringing your own reusable container (5 gallon bucket, etc.) and some free compost for donating any extra reusable containers for folks who forgot their own. Email compostfbx@gmail.com for more information on donating buckets.
There are no pre-orders available for these items. Prices coming soon!
Backyard Composting Program - Session 1
The Backyard Composting Program is set up to get more people composting at home and turning their household organic waste into an organic soil amendment. All you have to do is choose one of three composters that would fit best for you, come to a two hour workshop to learn a little more about how to compost, ask any questions you may have, take home your brand new composter, and get to work making your own compost pile.
The workshop and composters are totally free, all we ask is that you sign-up as space is limited at each session. Visit the Backyard Composting page on our website to learn more about the composter options. Once you’ve picked an option either click the link below to sign-up for this session or join the email list to get notified when the next session opens for sign-ups.
Organic Waste Collection Event at the Folk School Craft Sale
Stop by the Folk School Cabin 66 at Pioneer Park to drop off your organic waste to be composted during their Craft Supply Sale. We accept food and yard waste at our collections, if you have a large amount of cardboard or paper please bring it to one of our permanent waste collection sites once they reopen to the public for the season. Information about those collection sites here. We accept most food waste but please don’t bring any meat, dairy, or foods cooked in oil. Please remove any packaging (plastic, produce stickers, rubber bands, etc.). If you have any questions, email compostfbx@gmail.com and we’d be happy to answer those for you.
Stick around to check out the Craft Supply Sale. The Folk School is cleaning out their craft supply room and they’ll have great deals on yarn and other arts and craft supplies! They are accepting donations as well, contact Katie (katie@folk.school) for drop off times. Visit the Folk School’s website to learn more about the Craft Supply Sale and the other wonderful workshops and events they host.
This is located at the Folk School’s Cabin 66 inside Pioneer Park. Click this link to the Folk School website for helpful directions to get to the cabin.
Super Saturdays at the Fairbanks Children's Museum
Bring your kiddos down to the Fairbanks Children’s Museum to learn about composting, gardening, and working in the Natural Resources field. We’ll have interactive and educational activities to get the kids excited about growing (and composting) food this summer and get a little dirt under their fingernails.
All normal museum fees apply.
Composting Workshop at the Earth Day Fair
Come see us at the annual Earth Day Fair and Maker’s Market. We will be hosting a “Composting Basics” workshop at the fair, specific time is still TBD. Check out all the other great vendors and organizations as well as other workshops!
This event is hosted annually by a planning committee that comprises representatives from many sustainability focused non-profits and community organizations including the Northern Center, UAF Office of Sustainability, Green Star, Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition, the Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District and more. The goal of the event is to connect organizations, businesses, and community members with similar values to celebrate Earth Day and to provide an outreach opportunity for the Climate Action Plan. The theme of this year's fair is "Food Sovereignty.”
Introduction to Composting Workshop - Folk School
Join us at the Folk School for a quick, free workshop on the basics of composting. We will cover topics including how to compost, what to put in your pile, what kind of composter to get, where to compost, and answer any questions you might have.
Already a seasoned composter? Not interested in starting your own pile but want to divert your waste? This workshop takes place directly after our organic waste collection event in the same location. Feel free to stop by just to drop off your organic waste and chat with us about the upcoming events this summer.
To sign-up for workshop visit the Folk School Website below. Check out their other great offerings and learn more about what an asset they are to the Fairbanks Community.
Organic Waste Collection Event
Stop by the Folk School Cabin 66 at Pioneer Park to drop off your organic waste to be composted. We accept food and yard waste at our collections, if you have a large amount of cardboard or paper please bring it to one of our permanent waste collection sites once they reopen to the public for the season. Information about those collection sites here. We accept most food waste but please don’t bring any meat, dairy, or foods cooked in oil. Please remove any packaging (plastic, produce stickers, rubber bands, etc.). If you have any questions, email compostfbx@gmail.com and we’d be happy to answer those for you.
Feel free to walk in or drive up in your vehicle. To access to cabin with your car, enter Pioneer Park via the Moore St entrance. Click this link to the Folk School website for helpful directions to get to the cabin.
Want to learn how to compost it yourself? There is a free composting workshop directly after the collection event starting at 6:00 pm in the same location (Folk School Cabin 66). Click the link below to sign-up for the workshop and learn more about other workshops and events offered by the Folk School.
Food Scrap and Glass Bottle Collection
We are collaborating with GlassRoots AK for a waste collection event in Goldstream on Monday March 25th from 3-5pm (GlassRoots will be there until 6). Stop by to drop off your glass bottles and kitchen scraps or just to chat about glass recycling and composting in Fairbanks.
What can I bring?
Glass: Please bring clean glass free of all metal and plastic and plan to help transfer glass into another container when you arrive.
SIZE: must be regular wine bottle or mason jar circumference, or smaller
CLEAN: no food particles, nothing inside.
NO METAL (this is the most frequently missed as wine bottles have metal labels on the NECK) and Modelo beer has tin label on the neck (will no longer accept Modelo bottles)
NO PLASTIC LABELS: Lookout for kombucha and olive jars that have plastic labels, sometimes they don’t look plastic but they are stickers.
NO PLASTIC OR METAL RINGS around the tops
Please attempt to remove labels. A small monetary donation is suggested with your glass donation.
Food Scraps: Bring your compostable kitchen scraps for our compost pile! This includes coffee grounds, tea bags, fruit/veggies peels and scraps, and food that may be a little past its prime. For the purpose of this collection please avoid meat, dairy, and food that’s been cooked in oil. Please remove produce stickers and any plastic packaging, paper (ex. coffee filters) is fine.
What is GlassRoots AK?
GlassRoots AK is a grassroots glass recycling initiative in Fairbanks. When the borough stopped accepting glass at the Central Recycling Facility, Erin took matters into her own hands. She now owns and operates a glass pulverizing machine which crushes glass waste into non-sharp sand for other uses. Stop by to meet Erin and learn more about her work!
Visit the website for more information.
Will this happen again?
Yes! Check the GlassRoots website and/or join their mailing list for more info on upcoming collections. We will reopen our waste collection sites in May when the composting weather returns. Check back on our site for more info on other upcoming events.
Do not leave glass or food scraps at the site prior to the arranged time, this is not a transfer site and will be considered littering. Please respect the Ken Kunkel Center’s space so they will welcome us back for more collections in the future!
Fairbanks Waste Reduction Week: Sustainable Living Expo
Join Compost FBX and Green Star of Interior Alaska for a day of activities, information, connections, and waste collection. Businesses, organizations, and community groups dedicated to reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices will be in attendance. These groups include GLASSroots Alaska, New Creations, Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition, Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District, FNSB PM 2.5 Air Quality Program, the Central Recycling Facility, and more!
The Fairbanks Children’s Museum will be there with some crafts and activities fit for the whole family!
Meg’s Eats and Treats will be there sering up some delicious food so come hungry!
We will have collection sites for gently used clothes, coffee grounds, freezer burned or old frozen meat (not for human consumption), and edible food donations to keep these items out of the landfill!
This event is totally free and open to the public, we hope to see lots of people there! If you are interested in participating as a volunteer or setting up an outreach table with your organization, email compostfbx@gmail.com!
Fairbanks Waste Reduction Week: Central Recycling Facility Tour
Stop by the Central Recycling Facility to see how the FNSB recycling operation works. There will be a new tour starting every hour between 10 and 4. No need to sign-up, just show up!
Fairbanks Waste Reduction Week: Art Show and Open House at the Northern Center
Stop by the Northern Alaska Environmental Center for an art show and open house to learn about the great work they do for Interior Alaska and how you can get more involved.
Fairbanks Waste Reduction Week: Open House at the Chena Tool Library
Stop by for an open house at the Chena Tool Library. Learn about the affordable tool rental and community focus at this great organization. Snacks and refreshments provided.
1917 Lillian St in Fairbanks
Fairbanks Waste Reduction Week: Tour of Green Star
Stop by for a guided tour of Green Star of Interior Alaska’s warehouse and check out their new used electronics store “Reuse IT”. Learn about their many eWaste recycling programs and how you can use their services. Sign-up is not necessary, just stop by!
2134 Texaco Ave. in Fairbanks
Fairbanks Waste Reduction Week: Composting Workshop
Come learn the basics of composting in Fairbanks to celebrate Fairbanks Waste Reduction Week. Ask questions, get answers, and brainstorm how you can start reducing organic waste in your home! Sign-up is not necessary, just stop by!
Location TBD
Free Composting Class
Compost FBX is teaming up with AFFECT to host a free composting class. If you’re already planning your summer garden and want to make sure you incorporate compost sign-up and stop by! We’ll talk about ways to start prepping for your pile now, how to set up a compost that works for your space, how to troubleshoot your pile, and more. Click the link to sign-up
Bokashi Composting Workshop
Bokashi is an alternative composting process that can be a great way divert food waste from the landfill. The process involves the anaerobic fermentation of shredded food waste which yields liquid and solid soil amendments after only a few weeks. This process is done indoors, so it can be a great way to process food waste at home in the winter when your compost pile is covered in snow. The solid byproduct is a great addition to any traditional compost pile as well! Bokashi is a great option for people who already compost and want to speed up the process, people who have limited space and wish to compost indoors, and anyone who just wants to learn!
Waste Me Naught is a local organics recycler that collects food waste from grocery stores and converts it to animal feed and bokashi products. Don Carroll, the founder of Waste Me Naught, will be leading this free workshop and available to answer any questions.
This workshop is completely free, but sign-up is required as space is limited. Every participant will leave with a bokashi bucket and some starter liquid so they can get started at home! Click the link to sign up!
Questions? Email compostfbx@gmail.com
Composting Pet Waste Workshop
Join us for a free workshop to learn about how you can sustainably dispose of your pet waste by composting! Ann Rippy from the Natural Resource Conservation Service will present on her past research and answer questions about the best practices for composting pet waste. Ann and her colleague Steven Cox will be available to schedule individual consultations for people with a high volume of dog waste (10+ dogs). Click the link to sign-up and email compostfbx@gmail.com with any questions!
Backyard Composting Workshop
Spend a couple hours with us learning the ins and outs of composting in Interior Alaska. Ask us any questions you might have, get comfortable with your free backyard composter before you take it home, and meet your fellow backyard compost champions!
In order to sign-up for this workshop, you must already be signed up for the Backyard Composting Program. Interested? Click here to sign-up.
We will also have plenty of workshops that are not associated with the Backyard Composting Program for those who already have a composter, those who want to make their own, or anyone who just wants to learn more.
Backyard Composting Workshop
Spend a couple hours with us learning the ins and outs of composting in Interior Alaska. Ask us any questions you might have, get comfortable with your free backyard composter before you take it home, and meet your fellow backyard compost champions!
In order to sign-up for this workshop, you must already be signed up for the Backyard Composting Program. Interested? Click here to sign-up.
We will also have plenty of workshops that are not associated with the Backyard Composting Program for those who already have a composter, those who want to make their own, or anyone who just wants to learn more.
Buy Local Compost at the FSWCD Tree Sale
Join Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District (FSWCD) for their annual Tree Sale. Compost FBX will be selling local compost and spreading information on composting in Fairbanks. Visit the Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District website for more information on the event.
Talk Compost at Black Spruce Brewing Company
Stop by Black Spruce Brewing for a drink and chance to win stickers or a t-shirt from Compost FBX. We’ll be there for all your composting needs from 4:00pm - 8:00pm
Latitude 65 Brewing Company
Join Compost FBX for a get to know us event at Lat 65 from 4:00pm-8:00pm. Ask us all of your questions about composting in Fairbanks, Alaska.