Rural Alaska

Alaska is the largest state in the Union with 366,000,000 acres of land, and a population of 710,231 (2010 Census). Over 60% of the population lives near Fairbanks, Anchorage, or Juneau. The other 40% are scattered throughout the state, in over 300 communities, many of which are not connected by road. This geographic disparity presents a unique challenge to the disposal of waste in the majority of the state.

To accommodate the large proportion of rural communities, the State of Alaska has designated a Class III landfill category. Class III landfills are more than 50 miles by road from a larger landfill or are not accessible by road at all. Many communities are only accessible by plane or boat. Most of these communities have less than 500 people. Every one of these communities has a landfill.

Often numerous challenges arise and must be overcome to ensure environmentally sound, cost-effective solid waste management. The Solid Waste Program offers assistance to communities looking to improve their solid waste management practices and provides the knowledge and technical advice necessary to overcome the challenges.

Contact our Rural Landfill Specialists for assistance:

Southeast Alaska - Sandi Woods (907) 465-5318
Northern & Interior Alaska - Trisha Bower (907) 451-2174
Bristol Bay, Lake & Peninsula - Kit Persson (907) 269-7467
Western Alaska & most Aleutians - Doug Huntman (907) 269-7642
Kenai Peninsula & Kodiak Island - Elizabeth Stergiou (907) 269-7626

For a list of Class III communities, see our Active Rural Class III Landfills page.

Permitting Your Landfill:

Why should your local landfill be permitted? State law require landfills to be permitted by the Solid Waste Program. Funding is another important reason. Though the Solid Waste Program does not have funds available for landfills, there are other organizations that do. A community with a permitted landfill will rank higher in the selection process than an unpermitted landfill.

For more information on becoming permitted or renewing your permit, contact one of our Rural Landfill Specialists listed above.

Class III Landfill Permit Application

Factsheets and Guidance Documents for Rural Communities:

Tips for Solid Waste Management in Rural Alaska - Suggested guidelines for burning, burying, and recycling solid waste in rural communities.

Solid Waste Procedures Manual for Class III Landfills - Best Management Practices for designing, locating, operating, and closing Class III landfills.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection - Guidelines for establishing and conducting collection programs for household hazardous waste.

Open Burning in Rural Alaska - Best Management Practices for effective open burning.

Burning Garbage and Land Disposal in Rural Alaska - Guidelines and detailed information regarding the incineration and open burning of solid waste.

Construction and Demolition Debris in Rural Alaska - An explanation of the available options for disposing of construction and demolition waste in rural Alaska.

Rural Alaska

Permitting Your Landfill:

Factsheets and Guidance Documents for Rural Communities:

Rural Specialists