Skagway advisory committee backs municipal support for Haines plastic recycling, approves compost outreach materials

The Skagway Solid Waste Advisory Committee on April 7 recommended that the municipality send a letter of support to Haines Friends Recycling, approved an amended hay-and-straw compost sticker for use at the transfer facility, and voted to update the municipal solid-waste outreach calendar to list the annual hazmat collection in July while removing a fall clean-sweep reference.

The committee said the measures aim to bolster local recycling and outreach. Members also discussed starting a local program to bale clean plastics at the transfer facility, updating marine-debris signage, finishing a virtual composter tour, and asking municipal staff to draft a commercial food-composting code amendment for restaurants.

A motion asking the municipality to send a letter of support to Haines Friends Recycling passed without opposition. Committee members discussed recent communication from Haines Friends Recycling that said the organization currently lacks funding after a federal grant ended; the committee agreed to advise municipal leaders to send a support letter and to begin local steps to store and bale clean plastics while broader transportation or processing arrangements are worked out. Committee…