It’s time for Page Two: news that might not make the front page on Tuesday September 23, 2025.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough is investing millions into its landfill expansion — and working to keep as much waste out of it as possible.
The borough is expanding Cell 4 of the Central Landfill, adding about four more years of use. Construction is expected to be complete in October. Officials say the expansion will save the borough about $300,000 a year in capital costs. Building a new solid waste cell costs nearly $5 million to construct and another $3 million to close.
The Central Landfill covers 620 acres, with about 200 currently in use for disposal. Extending the life of those acres depends on reducing what gets dumped in the first place.
One way to do that is composting. The borough offers free classes to Mat-Su residents. The courses teach residents, businesses, schools, farmers, dog mushers, and stable managers how to turn food and yard waste into a useful product instead of sending it to the landfill.
Borough officials say composting pays for itself — saving landfill space, cutting disposal costs and producing high-quality soil.
The Environmental Protection Agency reports that food is the single most common material in U.S. landfills, making up more than 24% of the waste stream. Adding yard trimmings, wood and paper pushes compostable material to more than half of all municipal solid waste.
The EPA also estimates that food waste in landfills produces more than half of fugitive methane emissions — the equivalent of greenhouse gases from 50 million passenger vehicles.
For the Mat-Su Borough, officials say composting is a two-fold win — protecting the environment and extending the life of an expensive landfill.
Upcoming composting classes with instructor Ellen Vande Visse include:
Vermi-Composting (worms): Sept. 29 and Oct. 4
Backyard Composting: Oct. 4, Oct. 8 and Oct. 18
For more info, search for compost in Facebook Events. Registration is required by emailing compost@matsugov.us or calling 907-795-3722
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Here are some events coming up:
· Early voting has started for the Cities of Palmer, Wasilla, and Houston
· The Palmer City Council meets 6pm tonight
· Palmer Chamber is hosting a forum of candidates for Palmer City Council and Mayor on Wed. Sept. 24 at noon. Free entry, a limited number of lunches available for purchase.
· Free CarFit Check-Up on Wednesday, September 24th, from 10am to 1pm in the side parking lot of the Mat-Su Health Foundation on Crusey Street in Wasilla. CarFit is an educational program designed to help older adults find the best fit in their vehicles for comfort, safety, and confidence on the road.
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That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Tuesday September 23, 2025.