The Alaska Job Corps Center is one of the largest contributors to the Regional recycling facility in the Mat Su Borough. All classrooms, dormitory halls, residential rooms, administration and activity centers have their own building recycle stations with separation bins. This material is then transferred to nine Recycle sheds, located around the twenty acre campus. Once a month the separated materials are transported to the regional recycle facility in a large box truck. Last year our largest delivery was 3000 pounds although the average is closer to 2000 pounds. Either way, this is a lot of recycled material that does not end up at the landfill.

Perhaps more importantly, the entire staff and students at the Alaska Job Corps Center are continually educated about the need for recycling. Director Mollie Boyer and staff visit the Alaska Job Corps Center frequently and both present and educate in this area. A specific focus is now being offered regarding occupational recycling, specific to the nine training areas offered to students. This includes office trades, hard hat trades and service trades. Learning to recycle, as part of a business, is more and more important. The goal for students is to become employed and recycling is part of the equation

The relationship with Valley Center for Recycling doesn’t stop at promotion. A full education program, tour and hand-on training is offered to every new student at AKJCC in their early weeks of residence. Ongoing training supplements the initial introduction. By the time a student is complete and ready for employment, recycling is a part of their culture. Not only do they take this knowledge and practice to their future employer, but they take it back to their home. Acknowledging that the 230 students come from every little corner of Alaska illustrates the girth and reach of this mission as it returns to little communities, cities and individual homes throughout our state.