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Spring Cleanup

Citywide Cleanup is May 3-10. Here's your one-stop information source on when and where to dump for free, how to sign up for cleaning part of Anchorage, where to get your big orange bags.

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Anchorage Chamber of Commerce

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Volunteer sign up

Sign up here to clean up a specific part of town. Click on the red "Register Now" button.

Orange bags

Where do you pick up yours?

Free dump days

Get dates and details for free residential dumping during Citywide Cleanup Week. Get dates and details for free residential dumping during Citywide Cleanup Week. NEW! Scrap metal recycling, get the details here.

Clean Sweep Celebration 4-6 p.m. May 9, Park Strip

Here's where you party after all the work is done. You can sign up for three competitions, the Trash Pass & Dash, the Recycle Relay, and the Trash Tug.

CONTEST

Blue Jean Reinvention Contest

Everyone from the community is invited to enter this creative contest. Entries will be submitted and displayed on Friday, May 9. Prices will be awarded in three categories with two age divisions per category.

Free Dump Days: Tips & Tricks

Posted by Cleanup QueeN

Posted: May 1, 2008 - 12:16 pm

If you want to reduce your wait in line at Solid Waste Services (and are only hauling Orange Bags during Anchorage Chamber Citywide Cleanup) then plan to visit a participating site Monday through Friday next week. Orange Bags are accepted free of charge May 3-10. Free residential loads (not in Orange Bags) are accepted May 3, 4 & 10 so expect longer lines on these days.

Recycling Area Closed During Free Dump Days at Regional Landfill
Due to the long lines, congestion and inability to get to the recycling containers, the recycling area will be closed off during May 3, 4 and 10. Recyclers can drop off their recycling during the week, May 5-9. SWS appreciates your understanding and cooperation.

Another tip for getting in and getting out faster - bring your own safety vest. SWS will have some to loan but having your own will save you from having to borrow.

Still planning to visit on the weekend - bring a book or the latest copy of the Anchorage Daily News to pass the time. During peak hours on Free Dump Days you should expect to spend an hour (or more) waiting to weigh-in and weigh-out at the Central Transfer Station.

Have your own tips to offer? We welcome your comments.

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6 May 10, 2008 - 1:22pm | assls42

Wow - 45-minute wait

I just came from the landfill/transfer station. People were waiting almost an hour to dump. FYI.

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5 May 7, 2008 - 9:55am | nate_s

Bags at AT&T

I forgot to mention that businesses that participate need to have an idea of how many volunteers you expect. I went to AT&T on C St. last week, and expected to get quite a few bags. They (wisely) limited it to two bags per person. I estimated 10-12 people, and got 24 bags, as I recall. I had my work badge on, which I think helped lend me credibility.

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May 7, 2008 - 11:31am | cleanup

2 Per Person

2 bags per person is a great rule of thumb for Orange Bags. And you're right - knowing how many people you have cleaning with you will help speed the process of getting the right number of bags when stopping by to pick them up.

We want to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to pickup and use the bags before May 10 since this is the last day they will be accepted free of charge.

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4 May 7, 2008 - 9:49am | nate_s

Bags

I wanted to clarify that you can use the yellow ALPAR bags from last year. We had some left over from participating in cleanup with the Parks and Rec, and SWS said we could use them. I had one yellow bag, and nine orange ones, and they were true to their word! They did expect me to have my own safety vest, but did let me borrow one from the booth. They sounded like the expected me to know about it, but this was my first year. Does anyone know where to get one for the future?

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May 7, 2008 - 11:28am | cleanup

Safety Vests

Safety vests can be purchased at area hardware stores. If I remember correctly, I paid $5 for one last year.

Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse is a Squeaky Clean Sponsor of Anchorage Chamber Citywide Cleanup.

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3 May 6, 2008 - 2:17pm | richc25

Orange bags only, why not any bags?

I can't make it to ACS I should be able to use any color bag for clean up, right?

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May 6, 2008 - 3:16pm | ginaa

Low Down on Orange Bags from the Anchorage Chamber

Orange Bags are your ticket to dump for free at participating landfills (Anchorage Central Transfer Station, Anchorage Regional Landfill, Girdwood Transfer Station) through May 10. Please visit the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Web site, www.anchoragechamber.org for additional details.

A great day for convenient bag pickup is Saturday, May 10. The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce partners with the Anchorage School District each year to promote the "Super Sweeper" program. Participating area schools will have bags available to the community from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thanks for your questions, please keep them coming.

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2 May 3, 2008 - 2:47pm | assls42

10 minute wait

Expect about a 10 minute wait now from the time you get into the gate and are able to dump.

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1 May 3, 2008 - 11:57am | assls42

Little traffic now

I just came from the landfill by the Peanut Farm. Traffic is flowing steady. Now's a good time to go to drop off without waiting long.

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