Interior Alaska Green Star Annual Report 2011
Physical Address: 565 University Avenue, Suite 4, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709 Mailing Address: PO Box 82391, Fairbanks, Alaska 99708 (907) 452-4152 www.iagreenstar.org info@iagreenstar.org
Executive Director Andrea Miller andrea@iagreenstar.org
Mission Statement Interior Alaska Green Star is a non-profit organization which encourages households and businesses to practice waste reduction, energy conservation and pollution prevention
Interior Alaska Green Star – 2011 Annual Report Message from the Executive Director 2011 was an exciting year for Interior Alaska Green Star (IAGS), as we introduced two new programs and continued to work on strengthening our presence in the community. Our new Electronics Recycling Depot opened in June, and now provides a dedicated location where local residents and businesses can responsibly recycle all types of electronics on a monthly basis. With this opening, IAGS accomplished a long-held goal to provide ongoing access to electronics recycling for the Fairbanks North Star Borough and surrounding communities. We are very proud of this achievement and are thrilled to provide this service for our community. IAGS achieved another major goal with the publication of the first edition of our Fairbanks Recycling Guide in August. This guide contains important information about what, where, and how to reuse and recycle materials in Fairbanks. The guide has been well received as a helpful tool to help community members navigate the somewhat complex recycling scene in Fairbanks. Once again, we saw a few changes on our board this year. John Bittner joined us in January and his enthusiasm and ideas were a great addition to our organization. Unfortunately, his role with IAGS was short-lived, as a work move took him out of state in August of the same year. We also lost another valuable board member in January, when Ty Keltner left Fairbanks for a work-related move to Juneau. We still miss Ty’s vision and dedication to IAGS’s mission, as well as his business and marketing skills. I am so grateful to everyone who helps make it possible for IAGS to play a role in our community – including the dedicated IAGS board, hardworking volunteers, and community-minded business sponsors. Without the help of all these committed individuals and organizations, it would not be possible for IAGS to continue offering the programs and services that we provide. Thank you for all you do – and here’s to another great year for IAGS!
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Interior Alaska Green Star – 2011 Annual Report Electronics Recycling Events WHY WE CARE ABOUT ELECTRONIC WASTE According to the EPA, 3.19 million tons of electronic waste was generated in the U.S. in 2009; only 600,000 tons of this electronic waste (e-waste) was recycled. This means that over 82% of our e-waste – or 2.59 million tons – ended up in our landfills in a single year. E-waste contains toxic materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium and brominated flame retardants. For example, an old CRT monitor can contain between four and eight pounds of lead. It is estimated that nearly 40% of the heavy metals in landfills comes from discarded electronic equipment. Aside from the toxic issues surrounding electronics disposal, much of the material present in computers and other electronic devices is recoverable, such as gold, copper, metal, and plastics. Rather than throwing away these valuable resources, it makes sense to recycle the devices and reuse as many of these materials as possible. IAGS TAKES ACTION IN FAIRBANKS In 2011, IAGS diverted a total of 67,238 pounds (33.6 tons) of electronic waste from the landfills of Interior Alaska. See below for more information about these electronics recycling collections. Spring Electronics Collection at the Recycling Round-Up – May 20th – 21st Our spring electronics collection at the third annual Recycling Round-Up event was a huge success. We collected electronics from a total of 260 businesses and households during this event. We were very busy throughout this event weekend and collected 42,313 pounds (21.2 tons) of electronics over the course of two days. Electronics Recycling Depot – June-December IAGS opened the Electronics Recycling Depot on June 17th, 2011. This new depot is open to collect old and unwanted electronics for recycling on the third weekend of every month – Friday and Saturday. During the period of June through December, IAGS collected a total of 24,925 pounds (12.5 tons) of electronics for recycling. The depot served a total of 345 customers during that time period – including 299 households and 46 businesses/organizations. ELECTRONICS RECYCLING PARTNERS IAGS selected Total Reclaim, Inc. (TRI) as our electronics recycling partner based on their high recovery rate of e-waste materials and their responsible handling of toxic materials. TRI researches all of their downstream vendors to ensure they are environmentally responsible. They hold ISO:14001 and R2:2008 certifications for all of their facilities, as well as e-Stewards certification for their Seattle, Washington facility; TRI’s Anchorage and Oregon facilities are also in the process of obtaining the e-Steward certification. The Fairbanks North Star Borough Solid Waste Division was a key partner at our Spring Electronics Recycling collection. Their contributions of heavy equipment and skilled forklift operators to safely load the pallets of electronics material onto trucks for shipment to Anchorage were essential to the success of that event. 2
Interior Alaska Green Star – 2011 Annual Report
Tanana Valley State Fair Association supported us again by donating the venue for the Spring Recycling Round-Up event. Air Land Transport continues to be a critical partner for our Electronics Recycling program; they generously donated the shipment of five trailers full of electronics recyclables to Anchorage during 2011. Alaska Waste is a new partner for our Electronics Recycling program. They provide us with a location for monthly collections at the Electronics Recycling Depot by generously donating the use of warehouse space at their Phillips Field Road Recycling Center. This partnership provides space for our monthly collection activities and storage of electronics between shipments to Anchorage. In addition, they provide us with necessary equipment and labor services at reasonable rates.
Third Annual Recycling Round-Up Event – Saturday, May 21 IAGS held the third annual Recycling Round-Up event to help meet the recycling needs of our community. Several local businesses and organizations participated in this “one-stop” recycling event, by setting up a collection point at the Tanana Valley State Fairground parking lot to gather a wide variety of materials for reuse or recycling.
2011 Recycling Round-Up Collects Over 27 Tons of Material Material Collected
Amount Collected (lbs)
Organization
Aluminum Cans
280
Fairbanks Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (FAYEA) and K&K Recycling
Clothing
85
FRA Closet Collections
Electronics
42,313
Interior Alaska Green Star
Food
125
Fairbanks Community Food Bank
Food Cans & Scrap Metal
800
C & R Pipe and Steel
Glass
3,220
K&K Recycling
Household Hazardous Waste
2,000
FNSB Waste Management
Paper
5,000
Fairbanks Rescue Mission and Alaska Waste
Plastic
540
Chip Bags & Coffee Bags
72 bags
K&K Recycling Alliance for Reason & Knowledge (ARK)
This year, our Round-Up attracted approximately 400 participants. Both the amount of material collected at this event and the number of people who participated were significantly lower compared to the 2010 Recycling Round-Up. It appears that people are taking advantage of the many recycling options now available in the Fairbanks area to recycle their household materials throughout the year – rather than saving them up for this annual event. 3
Interior Alaska Green Star – 2011 Annual Report Tanana Valley State Fair Recycling – August 5-13 IAGS partnered with the Tanana Valley State Fair Association (TVSF) and several local organizations to coordinate the recycling efforts for the ten full days of the Fair. Alaska Waste generously provided the collection dumpsters and hauling for the plastic and aluminum. At the end of the Fair, 450 pounds of aluminum and 670 pounds of plastic were delivered to the Fairbanks Rescue Mission for recycling. A huge thank you goes out to our dedicated recycling volunteers who dig through trash bins to recover recyclables, carry bags of collected recyclables to the central recycling dumpster, and sort and separate all the plastic bottles and aluminum cans. We could not do this work without them.
Compost Bin Sales – Alaska Feed Company IAGS launched our compost bin sale program in April of 2010. Backyard composting is an easy way to turn a large portion of household waste into a valuable product. IAGS regularly provided information about composting at our outreach events throughout the year. In addition, we continue to sell the Earth Machine compost bins through a consignment partnership with Alaska Feed Company at a price of $75. These easy-to-use compost corrals are made of 50% post-consumer recycled plastic, and are an excellent way to get into composting for people who are just starting out with this activity. A portion of the sales of these bins goes to support IAGS programs and events.
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Interior Alaska Green Star – 2011 Annual Report Public Outreach and Education Fairbanks Recycling Guide IAGS published the first issue of our new full-color, multi-page Fairbanks Recycling Guide in August of 2011. This new guide provides updated information about how and where to reuse and recycle many different materials in our community. It includes charts, lists, and a map to help residents navigate the somewhat complex recycling scene in Fairbanks. One of IAGS’s primary missions is to encourage residents and businesses in the Fairbanks North Star Borough to practice waste reduction and recycling. The Fairbanks Recycling Guide provides us with a powerful educational tool in order to continue working towards this mission. We hope that future editions of the guide will include additional topical and/or seasonal articles to help residents find ways to live more sustainably at home, school, and work. Presentation at Tanana Chiefs Conference Solid Waste Management class – February 16th IAGS was invited to present at the Solid Waste Management course for village representatives which is hosted by the Tanana Chiefs Conference. The topic of this presentation was “The Benefits of Recycling” and it also shared some ideas about how remote Alaskan villages could begin recycling programs of their own. Sustainability and Recycling Course – Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) – February-March IAGS staff and board members collaborated with Michele Hébert from the UAF Office of Sustainability to present a class at the spring session of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). The group presented a series of four lectures with the following topics: “Let’s Talk Trash”, “Electronics Recycling”, “Local Recycling”, and “Composting”. Bike to Work Week – May 16th – 20th The third week in May was Bike to Work Week in Fairbanks. IAGS collaborated with several other local organizations and businesses to help coordinate fun activities to promote biking to work or school in Fairbanks.
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Interior Alaska Green Star – 2011 Annual Report Tanana Valley State Fair – August 5th – 13th IAGS staff, board, and volunteers enjoyed time spent at the Tanana Valley State Fair hosting an informational booth in the Borealis Pavilion. The Tanana Valley State Fair represents the perfect opportunity for IAGS to reach out and connect with our community, so this is always an important event for our education efforts. Thanks to many hours put in by IAGS volunteers and board members, we were able to educate Fairbanks area residents on our mission, programs, and events. Alaska Math and Science Teachers In‐Service – September 26th IAGS board members gave a presentation at a Math and Science Teachers In-Service program held in September. The presentation covered a variety of topics, including: the size of the solid waste problem and the importance of recycling, electronics recycling, and how to start a school recycling program. Informational Booths IAGS is often invited to participate in events coordinated by other local organizations. We appreciate these opportunities to share information with community members about our organization’s mission and activities – as well as the chance to meet and network with other local organizations. In 2011, IAGS hosted informational booths at the following events:
North Haven Communities (Fort Wainwright) – “Life 101” Education Fair – February 7th
Fairbanks Rollergirls – Roller Derby Bout – March 19th
North Haven Communities (Fort Wainwright) – Earth Day Event – April 22nd
Randy Smith Middle School – Garden Bazaar – April 23rd
Alaska Interfaith Power and Light – One People, One Earth Event – May 7th
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Interior Alaska Green Star – 2011 Annual Report Board of Directors
John Bittner (Through August 2011) North Haven Communities
Ty Keltner, Treasurer (Through January 2011) Cold Climate Housing Research Center
Pam Seiser Alaska Biological Research, Inc.
Bill Smyth, Secretary Department of Environmental Conservation
Carol Ann Varner, Treasurer (From February 2011) Tanana Valley League of Women Voters
Darcie Warden, President Alaska Wilderness League
David Weissman, Vice President Design Alaska, Inc. FNSB Recycling Commission
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Interior Alaska Green Star – 2011 Annual Report Volunteers Thank you to all our dedicated IAGS volunteers! Judy Anderson Linda Baker Sharon Baker Marylee Bates Donna Baum Ruby Baxter Diana Becker Alexander Bergman Karl Bergman Brett Billesbach John Bittner Rachael Brechan Carey Brink Becca Bryan Raymond Carr Rosie Carr Alex Cater Lou Catinella Taylor Centner Catherine Chandler Sally Coffin Steve Craddick Victoria Craddick Megan Curtis Andrew Cyr
Dylan Dearinger Jason Dearinger Mary Jane Derendoff Kristi Deskins Zach Deskins Carol DeVoe Mary Dokken Dayna Dominguez Brenda Elmer Art Eveland Christy Everett Davya Flaherty Regina Frazer Jimmy Gaydos Kelly Gitter Phil Glowa Tiffany Green Brian Grinston Amy Hoger Kevin Hoger Edna Johanson Drew Kent Britton Kerin Colin Knue Andy Kozarik
Miranda Labrum Will Lentz Fatima Mancuso Susan McInnis Susan McIntyre Libby Miles Jason Miller Patricia Moodie Randall Moudy Mary Ann Nickles Jenny Patch Dianne Porter Alfredo Quiroga Trina Richards Renae Richardson Judy Rogers Theresa Rose Maryiln Russell Jerry Sam Keith Scruggs Pam Seiser Danelle Small Nicholas Small Jane (Elizabeth) Smith Judy Rae Smith
Lisa Smith Russ Smith Bill Smyth Eli Sonafrank Amy Spairs Sue Sprinkle Ashleigh Strange Bill Stringer Jen Stutesman Ann Swift Carolyn Tallant Mariah Terhaar Gene Therriault Kristen Thomas Dorothy Throop Carol Ann Varner Joel Vonnahme Mary Walker Darcie Warden Norm Warden Shelly Warden Walter Weese David Weissman Tegan White-Nesbitt David Withoff Jeff Yarman
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Interior Alaska Green Star – 2011 Annual Report Sponsors Thank you to all our generous IAGS sponsors! Kuskokwim Sponsors – $10,000 – 19,999 Design Alaska FNSB Recycling Commission Copper Sponsors – $7,500 – $9,999 Golden Valley Electric Association Tanana Sponsors – $5,000 – $7,499 Air Land Transport ConocoPhillips Koyukuk Sponsors – $2,500 – $4,999 Flint Hills Resources Teklanika Sponsors – $1,000 – $2,499 Alaska Waste Alyeska Pipeline Service Company Fairbanks North Star Borough Interior Graphics & Printing Lynden Transport North Haven Nenana Sponsors – $500 – $999 ALPAR Birchwood Homes Fairbanks Rollergirls Tanana Valley State Fair Association Chena Sponsors – $100 to $499 ABR, Inc. Totem Ocean Trailer Express Usibelli Foundation Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council Noyes Slough Sponsors – Up to $99 Fred Meyer 9
Interior Alaska Green Star – 2011 Annual Report 2011 Financial Statement Balance Sheet 2010 Cash, savings, and investments Land and buildings Total assets Total liabilities
Net assets or fund balances
2011 $3,818
$17,662
$0
$0
$3,818
$17,662
$67
$221
$3,751
$17,441
Statement of Activities Revenues Contributions, gifts, and similar amounts received
$50,730
Program service revenue
$28,103
Membership dues and assessments
$0
Investment income
$10
Gross profit (or loss) from sales of inventory
$0
Total Revenue
$78,843
Expenses Salaries, other compensation and employee benefits
$20,775
Professional fees and other payments to independent contractors
$4,140
Printing and publications
$8,698
Office expenses
$689
Conferences/meetings
$1,789
Promotion and public awareness
$6,938
Recycling expenses
$18,260
Dues and subscriptions
$839
Insurance
$1,758
Supplies
$557
Licenses and permits
$115
Internet Expenses
$300
Total Expenses
$65,153
Assets Excess or (deficit) for the year
$13,690
Net assets or fund balances at beginning of year
$3,751
Net assets or fund balances at end of year
$17,441 10