Juneau residents who use the Lemon Creek recycling facility may be slightly confused when they see the building closed, but should not worry because recycling will still be done at the site.
The building, owned by Waste Management and contracted with the City and Borough of Juneau, housed the “source-separated” (i.e. customers, not recycling companies, sorting the items at the site) recycling area. The building was closed by WM due to safety concern due to “age, deterioration and the tough winter conditions” according to a city news release Thursday.
“Waste Management decided the building had lived a useful life and decided to close it,” Michele Elfers, manager at RecycleWorks, said in an interview with the Empire. “We wanted to get the word out and let people know.”
Residents may still go to the site, located at 5600 Tonsgard Court, but there will be a different set-up for dropping off. Instead of going inside the building, containers will be clearly labeled outside will be available for cardboard #1 and #2 plastics, mixed paper, glass, tin cans and aluminum with WM staff members on hand to answer any questions, according to the press release.
“We’re always monitoring the structural integrity of our buildings,” Waste Management’s Eric Vance said in the release. “We’ve assessed the structural integrity of this building and determined that it is no longer safe for operations.”
Elfers said WM is working on finding a new location to contract with CBJ.
“Waste Management is working on finding a new place,” Elfers said. “We are hoping to find one within in the next couple of weeks.
The recycling center is open Thursday and Friday 7 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information visit www.juneaurecycling.com.
• Contact reporter Gregory Philson at gphilson@juneauempire.com or call at 523-2265.
