SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The city of Anchorage, Alaska, has issued multiple requests for proposals for the design and construction of a large-scale mass burn combustion facility aimed at extending landfill life while addressing regional waste and energy challenges.

The proposed waste-to-energy project is estimated to cost about $700 million and would be designed to process nearly 300,000 tons of municipal solid waste annually, according to city officials.

ALSO READ:

Rapid City Receives $5M EPA Grant for Landfill Upgrades and Expanded Recycling

EPA Awards $58 Million to Strengthen Recycling Infrastructure in Local Communities

Local lawmakers have expressed support for the initiative, citing the need to preserve capacity at the Anchorage Regional Landfill and reduce the shipment of wastes to out-of-state disposal sites. Backing has intensified amid rising fuel prices and a tightening energy market.

Deputy Municipal Manager Mark Spafford said the project aligns with Anchorage’s broader strategy to diversify renewable and variable energy sources. The incinerator, Alaska’s first, is expected to generate between 20 and 30 megawatts of electricity each year and could also process biosolids, potentially avoiding a separate $100 million wastewater treatment upgrade.

In April, the Anchorage Assembly approved $8 million for planning. Officials are seeking a private partner to help design and operate the facility, which could be operational by 2030.