It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Monday, November, 24, 2025.
A white plume rising from the Mat-Su Central Landfill is catching attention. This plume stretches about 20 feet into the air and may be visible on weekdays throughout the year.
The Mat-Su Sentinel reported the story of the white plume after a tour of the site with Matanuska-Susitna Central Landfill Manager Jeff Smith. It’s from the new evaporator. Smith said that the new system is a major step forward in managing waste more efficiently and safely.
The plume is clean vapor from the new $6 million evaporator. The evaporator scrubs and processes leachate, that dark liquid that forms when trash breaks down.
This “black trash soup” is created when water drains through landfill cells. It collects metals, chemicals, and toxins. The Mat-Su landfill produces about 5 million gallons of the liquid each year.
The leachate used to be trucked to Anchorage for treatment. The new on-site system costs about half as much per gallon as trucking,
The evaporator uses heat from burning methane gas to separate the liquid from contaminants. The gas is created by the decomposing waste in the landfill. The evaporator is the first to run entirely on methane in the region.
The plume contains no measurable pollution. While it has a slight odor, the stronger smells in the area come from separate gas pockets and holding ponds.
The new system removes metals, PFAS, and other toxins before releasing vapor. The remaining sludge is collected and returned to landfill cells for future processing.
This change reduces truck traffic, simplifies permits, and saves the Borough about $270,000 a year. The system processed about 600,000 gallons of leachate in its first month. That meant about 100 fewer truck trips to Anchorage and less leachate dumped into the inlet. The solids were filtered out and the leachate was then dumped.
The Salvation Army’s Red Kettles are back this holiday season. They started last Friday at select Fred Meyer stores. The kettles expand statewide to Walmart and other businesses on Friday.
The Salvation Army Alaska Division asks for your help as more Alaskans face rising living costs and housing instability. They can keep families in their homes and provide food, shelter, and hope with your support.
The Salvation Army served over 62,000 Alaskans, provided almost 280,000 meals, almost 30,000 toys and gifts, and transitioned over 100 families into permanent housing last year. The need is even greater this year. For more information, visit mat-suvalley.salvationarmy.org/.
Thanksgiving is on Thursday. There is a free Thanksgiving dinner at the Menard center from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All are welcome.
Bright Up the Night starts on Thanksgiving night at the Alaska State Fairgrounds. The drive through light display has over 70 light installations. It runs 5 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday through Sunday nights now through December 7th. And it runs every night from December 11th through December 31st. The cost per vehicle that holds up to 8 people is $22. Tickets are available at alaskastatefair.org.
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Page Two articles are written by Emily Forstner and Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Monday, November 24, 2025.