FAIRBANKS WASTE REDUCTION WEEK
Fairbanks Waste Reduction Week is an initiative organized by Compost FBX and Green Star of Interior Alaska to promote the idea of sustainable living and waste reduction in Fairbanks and connect the community with the existing resources that can help them reduce waste in their daily lives. The first annual Fairbanks Waste Reduction Week took place March 4-9, 2024. The second annual Fairbanks Waste Reduction Week is scheduled for April 14-19, 2025. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
In other exciting news, WRW will coincide with the annual Earth Day Fair and Maker’s Market in 2025. Join us on Saturday April 19th from 12-4pm at the Joy Community Center (24 Margaret Ave, Fairbanks). The Earth Day Fair and Maker’s Market is coordinated by a group of local non-profit organizations and sustainability focused groups including the Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition, UAF Office of Sustainability, Green Star of Interior Alaska, Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District, FNSB Solid Waste Services, Northern Center, and the Fairbanks Queer Collective.
2025 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
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This is the second year of “Fairbanks Waste Reduction Week” and we want to make sure everyone in town knows how they can get involved. Help us spread the word throughout the Fairbanks community! Post flyers, share our posts on social media, tell your friends and family, or share our information any other way you can! We appreciate it.
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The Earth Day Fair and Maker’s Market is on Saturday April 19th from 12-4 at the Joy Community Center. The expo will feature local goods for sale, family-friendly activities, food, and outreach tables from local groups/businesses/organizations that offer goods or services that help the community live sustainably and reduce their waste. If you are interested in tabling, presenting, hosting an activity, or providing some event planning suggestions let us know!
Click the link below to sign up. Must complete by April 9th.
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CANS FOR COLD ONES! (4:00-8:00)
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refill! Help us kick off Fairbanks Waste Reduction Week by bringing us your beer cans to recycle. (We want all of your other aluminum cans too!) Stop by Lat 65 anytime between 4 and 8 pm to learn more about the upcoming activities to celebrate Waste Reduction Week and have a chance to win a free beer. We'll be handing out beer tokens to the folks who bring us the most aluminum cans to recycle, so start collecting from friends/neighbors/coworkers today! Stop by on Monday to help us say "Cheers" to Waste Reduction Week!
Located at Lat 65 Brewing Co (150 Eagle Ave)
Contact: compostfbx@gmail.com with questions.
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GREEN STAR’S ELECTRONICS WAREHOUSE TOURS (9:30 - 3:30)
Stop by Green Star of Interior Alaska to take a quick tour of their electronic warehouse. Green Star works hard to promote electronics recycling in Fairbanks. Stop by the ReUseIT store while your there to see some affordable refurbished electronics for sale. Tours every hour starting at 9:30 am, each tour lasts about 30 minutes
Located at Green Star of Interior Alaska (2134 Texaco Avenue)
Contact: arleigh@iagreenstar.org with questions.
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FNSB CENTRAL RECYCLING FACILITY TOURS (9:30 am -3:30 pm)
Stop the Fairbanks North Star Borough Central Recycling Facility to learn how your recycling is processed here in town. Staff will explain what you can recycling and the recycling process from start to finish. Tours every hour starting at 9:30 am, each tour lasts around one hour.
Located at the CRF: 1855 Marika Rd
Contact Matt (matt.pearson@fnsb.gov ) with questions
GRAB AND GLAM CLOTHING SWAP WITH FAIRBANKS QUEER COLLECTIVE (5:00 p.m - 9:00 p.m)
Join us for a creative evening of upcycling and style magic in observance of Waste Reduction Week.
So much fashion ends up in landfills every year~ but it doesn’t have to. This event is a chance to give clothes a second life, whether you’re customizing your own or finding something new-to-you to turn into your next favorite fit.
We’ll have racks of free clothes to browse so no need to bring anything, but you can if you want. If you do bring items to share, please also take some home with you!
DIY stations may include mending, embroidery, dyeing, patchwork, adding jewels, and more.Located at the Dena Movement Commons :526 Gaffney Rd Suite 204
Contact Rinam ( rinam@fbxqc.org ) with questions.
Fairbanks Queer Collective Website
OPEN HOUSE AT THE CHENA TOOL LIBRARY (3:00 p.m -8:00 p.m)
Stop by the Chena Tool Library to check out the wide variety of tools they rent out to their members. Learn about affordable membership options, their mission, and how you can get involved.
Located at the Chena Tool Library: 1917 Lillian St
Contact chenatoollibrary@gmail.com with questions.
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OPEN HOUSE AT THE NORTHERN ALASKA ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER (4:00 p.m - 6:00 p.m)
Stop by the Northern Center to learn about their work, learn how you can support their mission. Check out some beautiful artwork by their 2025 featured artist, Tehya McLeod.
Located at the Northern Center, 830 College Rd
Contact Christin (events@northern.org ) with questions.
HOME COMPOSTING WORKSHOP AT THE FOLK SCHOOL (6:00 p.m-7:30 p.m)
Stop by the Folk School to learn the basics of starting a new compost pile or troubleshoot an existing pile at home. Come with questions and we’ll share lots of helpful tips and tricks.
We will also be collecting food scraps to compost at the workshop. No meat or dairy please.
THIS IS A FREE EVENT BUT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED AS SPACE IS LIMITED
Contact Liz (compostfbx@gmail.com )with questions
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WASTE ME NAUGHT OPEN HOUSE (11:30 a.m - 12:30 p.m)
Come see the truck unload all the food waste WMN works hard to divert. Check out their worksite and chat with the founder and owner, Don.
Located at Waste Me Naught, 3360 Truck St.
Contact Don ( don@wastemenaught.org) with questions.
GOLDEN HEART WASTE MANAGEMENT OPEN HOUSE (5:30 p.m - 9:00 p.m)
Tour GHWM’s new shop, enjoy a taco bar, a silent auction, and learn more about new services they’re offering.
Located at the GHWM Shop, 3859 Peger Rd
Contact info@ghwmfairbanks.com with questions.
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EARTH DAY FAIR AND MAKER’S MARKET (12:00 - 4:00)
Fairbanks Waste Reduction Week culminates with the Earth Day Fair and Maker’s Market. The event features children’s activities, outreach tables, prizes, food, and local goods for sale.
A variety of local groups, businesses, and organizations have outreach tables set up to connect with the community. Groups in attendance will include the Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District, Green Star of Interior Alaska, Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition, FNSB Solid Waste Services, Alaska Peace Center, GLASSroots Alaska, Arctic Audubon Society, Fairbanks Arbor Day Committee, Fairbanks Trails Inc, Alaska Harvest Collaborative, the Fairbanks Queer Collective, and more.
Prizes will be raffled off and awarded to folks who attend on Saturday. Some of these prizes will include t-shirts, gift cards, a composter, and more.
Prik Thai will be there serving up delicious food! Black Sugar will be selling some tasty treats too. Bee Line Espresso will also have some sweet coffee drinks to fuel the fun!
There will be workshops/presentations happening on site throughout the day. Bee sure to stop by at 1:30 to learn about beekeeping in the Interior.
Stop by anytime between 12pm and 4 pm to see what waste reduction and sustainability resources the Fairbanks Community has!
Located at the Joy Community Center, 24 Margaret Ave.
Contact arleigh@iagreenstar.org or liz.fswcd@gmail.com with questions.
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EARTH DAY SERVICE AT UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF FAIRBANKS (10:30 a.m)
This special Sunday service to honor Earth Day is open to the public of all ages. A service to share poems, songs, and any other tributes to our planet and the arts.
Located at UUFF, 4448 Pikes Landing Road
Contact Molly Murray, ( uuffofficemanager@gmail.com ) with questions.
GET INVOLVED
2024 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
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This is the first year of “Fairbanks Waste Reduction Week” and we want to make sure everyone in town knows how they can get involved. Help us spread the word throughout the Fairbanks community! Post flyers, share our posts on social media, tell your friends and family, or share our information any other way you can! We appreciate it.
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Green Star of Interior Alaska and Compost FBX at the Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District are planning this initiative and will fund as much as we can. However, we are both non-profit organization and we would appreciate any donations to support the costs of promoting and hosting the final event. If you think you could sponsor the event with monetary or in-kind donations, let us know and we would be happy to discuss options with you.
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“Fairbanks Waste Reduction Week” will run from March 4th-9th in 2024. Monday (March 4th) - Friday (March 8th) will feature a variety of events and activities happening around town to promote waste reduction in some way. These include a “Reuseables Drive” at the Children’s Museum, an art sale at the Northern Environmental Center, an open house at the Chena Tool Library, a tour of the Central Recycling Facility, and more. The Sustainable Living Expo is on Saturday March 9th from 12-5 at the J.P. Jones Center.
We are still looking for groups willing to host events throughout the week. All events are free and open to the public. Reach out to compostfbx@gmail.com if you’re interested in participaing!
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The Sustainable Living Expo is on Saturday March 9th from 12-5 at the JP Jones Center. The expo will feature presentations, family-friendly activities from the Fairbanks Children’s Museum, and outreach tables from local groups/businesses/organizations that offer goods or services that help the community live sustainably and reduce their waste. Groups tabling include the Tanana Valley Watershed Association, the Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition, GLASSRoots Alaska, and more. If you are interested in tabling, presenting, hosting an activity, or providing some event planning suggestions let us know!
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Virtual Composting Workshop with Compost FBX
6pm - 8pm, Zoom
Join us for a free virtual workshop on the basics of composting in Fairbanks. We will talk about traditional and alternative forms of composting and creative ways to reduce the waste stream in your household. This event is free and open to the public, no sign-up required. Rather attend in person? We have an in-person version on Tuesday March 5th. Click the drop down below to learn more.
Questions? Email compostfbx.com
Click the link below to join the Zoom workshop!
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Tour of Green Star of Interior Alaska’s Warehouse and ReuseIT store
12pm - 2pm, Green Star (2134 Texaco Ave.)
Join Green Star of Interior Alaska is a local nonprofit serving the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Our programs encourage reuse of materials, reduction of unnecessary waste, and increasing recycling efforts in our community. Stop by to check out their electronics recycling warehouse and the refurbished electronics store, ReuseIT.
Click here to view iagreenstar.org
In-Person Composting Workshop with Compost FBX
6pm - 8pm, Fairbanks Community Food Bank Volunteer Clubhouse (2216 S Cushman St.)
Join us for a free workshop on the basics of composting in Fairbanks. We will talk about traditional and alternative forms of composting and creative ways to reduce the waste stream in your household. This event is free and open to the public, no sign-up required. Rather attend online? We have a virtual workshop on Monday March 4th. Click the drop down above to learn more.
Questions? Email compostfbx.com
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Open house at the Chena Tool Library
5pm - 7pm, Chena Tool Library (1917 Lillian St.)
The Chena Tool Library is an affordable, membership-based tool rental service. It’s a place for community members to share resources, learn from each other, and check out tools for their own projects. Stop by the tool library to check out their inventory and connect with the amazing folks who run this organization. Snacks and refreshments will be proivided.
Click the link to learn more about the Chena Tool Library
The Great Alaskan Bowl Company: Tree to Bowl Conversations
12pm - 1pm, The Great Alaskan Bowl Company (4630 Old Airport Rd)
Stop by the Great Alaskan Bowl Company to see Andrea between 12:00 and 1:00. She will be available to chat about the process from tree to bowl and all of the waste reduction and recycling which helped them earn their Adventure Green Alaska certification.
Click here to learn more about the Great Alaskan Bowl Company
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Art sale and Open House at the Northern Environmental Center
11am - 2pm, Northern Environmental Center (830 College Rd)
The Northern Environmental Center is an education and advocacy based conservation and natural resource stewardship group.
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Tours of the Central Recycling Facility
Half hour long tours 10am - 4pm, Central Recycling Facility (1855 Marika Rd)
Ever wondered where to take your recycling? Or what happens once you drop it off? Come by for an hour long tour of the Central Recycling Facility to get all your questions answered!
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Sustainable Living Expo
12pm - 5pm, JP Jones Center (2400 Rickert St.)
Fairbanks Waste Reduction Week culminates with the Sustainable Living Expo. The expo features children’s activities, outreach tables, prizes, presentations, and waste diversion collections.
The Fairbanks Children’s Museum is hosting some crafts and activities showcasing ways to reuse recycled materials. The winners of the Kid’s Poster Contest will have their art on display as well.
A variety of local groups, businesses, and organizations that have provide a good or service aimed to help Fairbanks residents reduce waste or live sustainably wil have outreach tables set up to connect with the community. Groups in attendance will include the Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District, Tanana Valley Watershed Association, Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition, GLASSRoots Alaska, WeGenerative, New Creations 907, Better for the Planet, and others.
Prizes will be raffled off and awarded to folks who bring the most waste to divert, attend the most events throughout the week, etc. Some of these prizes will include t-shirts, gift cards, a composter, and more.
There will be presentations from groups including the Fairbanks North Star Borough on Air Quality at 12:30 pm, Access Alaska on their Durable Medical Equipment Loan Program at 1:30 pm, ant the Central Recycling Facility on “How to Recycle” at 2:30.
It wouldn’t be Waste Reduction Week without a little waste diversion. We are collecting food fit for human consumption for the Fairbanks Community Food Bank, gently used clothing for the Fairbanks Resource Agency, frozen meat not fit for human consumption (ex. hunted or wild caught with no nutrition label or expiration date, freezer burned) for sled dogs, and coffee grounds to compost. There will also be a WORKING electronics swap and a glass swap.
Meg’s Eats and Treats will be there serving up delicious food along with a Bake Sale for anyone who gets hungry.
Stop by any time between 12pm and 5 pm to see what waste reduction and sustainability resources the Fairbanks Community has!
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Reuseables Drive at the Fairbanks Children’s Museum
March 5th-9th (10 am - 5pm), Fairbanks Children’s Museum (302 S Cushman St, Suite 101)
The Fairbanks Children’s Museum is collecting reusables during their operating hours to celebrate Fairbanks Waste Reduction Week. Stop by the museum with your old egg cartons, bottle caps, toilet paper rolls, clean plastic bottles, paper envelopes, beads, buttons, smooth edge soup cans, and sanded wood scraps. Come see them at the Sustainable Living Expo on Saturday March 9th from 12pm-5pm to see how these items can turn into fun crafts and activities.
Community Waste Audit from Compost FBX
March 4th-9th (or anytime you feel like it), compostfbx.com
Fairbanks Waste Reduction Week is a great time to reevaluate your home waste stream. What do you throw away frequently that you could replace with a reusable option? Do you throw away things you could recycle? How can you creatively reuse an item that has already served its original purpose? Click the link below to do our Community Waste Audit activity with your friends, family, roommates, or yourself. Bring your completed copy (or a photo of it) to the Sustainable Living Expo for a chance to win some prizes.
GET INVOLVED
QUESTIONS ABOUT FWRW?
Fill out this contact form (or just send us an email at compostfbx@gmail.com) and we' will happily answer your questions.