MSB Opens Brush Disposal Area in Willow

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 1, 2020

Matanuska-Susitna Borough Public Works Department Solid Waste Division

Opens brush disposal area at Willow Transfer Station beginning October 2, 2020

Willow, Alaska – Beginning Friday, October, 2, 2020, Mat-Su Borough residents may dispose of brush, trees, branches, and dead leaves, hereinafter referred to as “brush”, at the Willow Transfer Station located at 15469 Willow Station Rd, Willow, AK 99688. Brush has previously not been accepted at this location because it presents a fire hazard when inside the waste containers. Over the past month, the Solid Waste Division has been clearing out an area at the transfer station to accommodate room for brush disposal.

The Solid Waste Division currently has two brush disposal areas that are open year-round, one at the Central Landfill in Palmer, and one at the Big Lake Transfer Station. A third brush disposal area has been open during the past 2 summers (2019 and 2020) at the old Sunshine Transfer Site near Trapper Creek.

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough recognized the need for additional brush disposal locations due to several events over the past few years including the Sockeye Fire (2015), the Spruce Bark Beetle infestation (2018), and the McKinley Fire (2019), all of which caused significant destruction to the trees and brush in the Mat-Su Borough and closely around the Willow Community.

In an effort to promote defensible spaces around homes, the Solid Waste Division began accepting brush from residential customers at no charge to the customer in May of 2019. Residential customers can still dispose of their brush for no charge at the current locations (Sunshine closed for the winter on September 28, 2020), and now there will be another year-round option at the Willow Transfer Station.

BRUSH DISPOSAL LOCATIONS:

1. Central Landfill, 1201 N 49th State St, Palmer, AK 99645

   Open 7 days per week from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

2. Big Lake Transfer Station, 13507 W Hollywood Rd, Big Lake, AK 99652
   Open Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (CLOSED on Wednesday and Thursday)

3. Sunshine Transfer Site - CLOSED FOR WINTER

Providing Outstanding Borough Services to the Matanuska-Susitna Community.

4. Willow Transfer Station, 15469 Willow Station Rd, Willow, AK 99688

Please note: Willow’s brush area will not be open until Friday, October 2, 2020

Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (CLOSED Monday through Thursday)

Free brush disposal applies to residential loads only, the program is not intended for commercial use. Due to space limitations at the Big Lake, Sunshine, and Willow Transfer Stations, all loads are limited to 5 cubic yards in volume and/or eight (8) feet in length. Loads that exceed these sizes will be directed to the Central Landfill in Palmer.

Free brush disposal cannot be combined with any other material. No household garbage, construction & demolition material, scrap metal, or universal wastes allowed when utilizing the free brush disposal program.