You know summer (such as it was) is coming to an end when it's time to collect up all your plastic garden pots, cell packs and plant trays and recycle them.
For the fourth year, Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling is sponsoring what has become a popular event for local ecologically minded gardeners. The event is scheduled for Saturday in the parking lot of the Benny Benson School next to Alaska Botanical Garden.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All plastic garden pots, cell packs and trays with resin numbers 2, 5, 6 or 7will be accepted, so check the triangle on the bottom of the container. Some don't have numbers but might still be accepted if they look and feel the same as the marked containers.
The recycle crew also wants you to sort the stuff into two groups: No. 2s in one and all the rest in another pile. Shake out loose soil and get rid of those metal hangers. Stack them, please.
The containers eventually will end up in Seattle where they'll be turned into plastic lumber or other plastic products. That's compliments of Smurfit-Stone Recycling Center which is helping out.
The Anchorage Soils and Water Conservation District will be at the event and plans to give away three EarthMachine Compost Bins.
Last year, 4,156 pounds of plastic containers were recycled and ALPAR is hoping to beat that number this year.