In early 2024 we began seriously looking for a new site since we have outgrown our current rented site at 2.5 Mile Small Tracts Road. Currently, as of November 2025, we are in the process of raising funds to purchase property with a building at 334 South Third Avenue.
This location will be much more convenient for everyone, will have all of our collection and processing activities inside, have a larger space for the Scrap Box, and have an area for up-cycling #2 and #5 plastics to make plastic lumber.
Because we will own the building, we won’t have to pay rent and this will make us even more financially sustainable.
Part of the interior of the building is finished and part still needs to be completed. We are planning on moving in to the new site in May of 2026.
We are working diligently on grant writing and Capital Fund requests and greatly appreciate the support we are getting from our community. To donate to our Capital Fund, please send checks to Haines Friends of Recycling, PO Box 822, Haines AK 99827. Mark “Capital Fund” on your check.
If you have questions or would like more information, contact us at hainesrecycle@gmail.com or call (907)314-2209.
Phase One
Purchase of building and equipment Goal for completion of sale is early 2026
Good News! A grant funded electric forklift has already been ordered. Majority of funding
has been secured for the building but more is needed. We still need funding for a new baler,
but with your help we can meet this goal.
Phase Two
Completion of the industrial building interior:
The footprint is 60 x 70 feet and all operations will be inside. Steps for completion are cement flooring, 3 phase electrical, interior lighting, loading dock installation. We also are seeking Capital Funds and grants to cover the expenses.
Phase Three
Moving In!:
Our goal is to be in our new facility by May 2026 with your help! Please donate to make this happen.
Phase Four: Completion of the office/upcycling Building:
The office area/Scrapbox is 10 x 40 feet and the upcycling area is 20 x 40 feet. Steps for completion are the installation for the water and sewage, dividing walls and exterior security cameras.Grants pending.
Phase Five
Plastic up-cycling:
This is a very exciting part of our new Recycling Center. We had a demonstration project in Haines in September where Patrick Simpson of Alaska Plastics Recovery converted 3,500 pounds of post-consumer and marine debris plastic into “Grizzly Wood”, which is similar to TREX®. This was a major part of our research into how to most effectively up-cycle plastic. We have a pending grant proposal that, if awarded, will cover most of the cost of this phase. We hope to complete this portion of the project in early 2027.
Phase Six
Donor recognition and art:
The ideas here are still evolving. We live in a community with many outstanding artists and our intention is to partner with the art community for this phase.
Part of our plan is to have an interior wall that recognizes our donors, including individuals, businesses, foundations, and government agencies. Rather than having the standard etched names on tiles, we are considering how to use recycled and repurposed materials as the name plates for the “Honor Wall” of donors. The outside of the building will have an attractive mural on the highway side of the building. Around the entrance we will have planters and benches. The benches will be made of recycled plastic (Grizzly Wood). The planters will be made of Grizzly Wood or re-purposed dryer tubs like many of our local gardeners use as raised beds. We are also planning a water feature that uses an old pickup truck. The engine will hide a fountain and the bed of the pickup will be a planter bed. Our plans for our new state-of-the-art Recycling Center are exciting and will truly be something we can all be proud of. We will provide public education and school tours to share all we have accomplished so that other communities and future generations can see ways to reduce waste and recycle in their time and place.
Please join us in continuing your support to our project. Our mailing address is PO Box 822, Haines Alaska 99827.
If you have questions or would like a copy of our Business Plan, or have ideas where we can seek funding, please contact us at hainesrecycle@gmail.com or call (907)314-2209.