GSIA’s FNSB Recycling (and reuse) Guide

Supported in part by:

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Soaps and Detergents

Hazardous Waste
RecycleReuse

Accepted at 11 locations

Soaps and detergents are cleaning products containing surfactants that dissolve dirt and grease, designed to be water-soluble and typically safe for drain disposal.

Source: epa.gov : Soap and Detergent Manufacturing Effluent Guidelines | US EPA (1)

Soaps and Detergents Summary

Also known as: laundry soap, dishwashing soap, hand soap

Dive deeper ↓

Accepted Locations

FNSB Residential Transfer Site - Badger Road logo
FNSB Residential Transfer Site - Badger Road
↳ part of Household Hazardous Waste
Recycle
ResidentialFREEBusinessNOT ACCEPTED
Address: 889 Holmes Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sun 6am-10pm
DoFNSB transfer sites and landfill provide black totes for the collection of household hazardous waste.
Make sure the material container is well sealed and undamaged if possible
Don'tDo not place hazardous waste in regular recycling or in trash.
Do not dump liquids into the totes.
See details ›

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

FNSB Residential Transfer Site - Chatanika logo
FNSB Residential Transfer Site - Chatanika
↳ part of Household Hazardous Waste
Recycle
ResidentialFREEBusinessNOT ACCEPTED
Address: 5749 Old Chatanika Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
DoFNSB transfer sites and landfill provide black totes for the collection of household hazardous waste.
Make sure the material container is well sealed and undamaged if possible
Don'tDo not place hazardous waste in regular recycling or in trash.
Do not dump liquids into the totes.
See details ›

Last updated on June 13, 2026 by Green Star GM

FNSB Residential Transfer Site - Chena Pump logo
FNSB Residential Transfer Site - Chena Pump
↳ part of Household Hazardous Waste
Recycle
ResidentialFREEBusinessNOT ACCEPTED
Address: 2395 Old Chena Ridge Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›
Hours: 7 days a week, 6 AM to 10 PM
DoFNSB transfer sites and landfill provide black totes for the collection of household hazardous waste.
Make sure the material container is well sealed and undamaged if possible
Don'tDo not place hazardous waste in regular recycling or in trash.
Do not dump liquids into the totes.
See details ›

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

FNSB Residential Transfer Site - Ester logo
FNSB Residential Transfer Site - Ester
↳ part of Household Hazardous Waste
Recycle
ResidentialFREEBusinessNOT ACCEPTED
Address: 2535 Little Shot Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
DoFNSB transfer sites and landfill provide black totes for the collection of household hazardous waste.
Make sure the material container is well sealed and undamaged if possible
Don'tDo not place hazardous waste in regular recycling or in trash.
Do not dump liquids into the totes.
See details ›

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

FNSB Residential Transfer Site - Farmers Loop East logo
FNSB Residential Transfer Site - Farmers Loop East
↳ part of Household Hazardous Waste
Recycle
ResidentialFREEBusinessNOT ACCEPTED
Address: 301 Old Steese Highway N, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sun 6am-10pm
DoFNSB transfer sites and landfill provide black totes for the collection of household hazardous waste.
Make sure the material container is well sealed and undamaged if possible
Don'tDo not place hazardous waste in regular recycling or in trash.
Do not dump liquids into the totes.
See details ›

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

FNSB Residential Transfer Site - Farmers Loop West logo
FNSB Residential Transfer Site - Farmers Loop West
↳ part of Household Hazardous Waste
Recycle
ResidentialFREEBusinessNOT ACCEPTED
Address: 2180 Farmers Loop Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sun 6am-10pm
DoFNSB transfer sites and landfill provide black totes for the collection of household hazardous waste.
Make sure the material container is well sealed and undamaged if possible
Don'tDo not place hazardous waste in regular recycling or in trash.
Do not dump liquids into the totes.
See details ›

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

FNSB Residential Transfer Site - Fox logo
FNSB Residential Transfer Site - Fox
↳ part of Household Hazardous Waste
Recycle
ResidentialFREEBusinessNOT ACCEPTED
Address: 284 Goldstream Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›
Hours: 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
DoFNSB transfer sites and landfill provide black totes for the collection of household hazardous waste.
Make sure the material container is well sealed and undamaged if possible
Don'tDo not place hazardous waste in regular recycling or in trash.
Do not dump liquids into the totes.
See details ›

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

FNSB Residential Transfer Site - Moose Creek logo
FNSB Residential Transfer Site - Moose Creek
↳ part of Household Hazardous Waste
Recycle
ResidentialFREEBusinessNOT ACCEPTED
Address: 3485 Old Richardson Highway, North Pole, AK 99705 Get directions ›
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
DoFNSB transfer sites and landfill provide black totes for the collection of household hazardous waste.
Make sure the material container is well sealed and undamaged if possible
Don'tDo not place hazardous waste in regular recycling or in trash.
Do not dump liquids into the totes.
See details ›

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

FNSB Residential Transfer Site - North Pole logo
FNSB Residential Transfer Site - North Pole
↳ part of Household Hazardous Waste
Recycle
ResidentialFREEBusinessNOT ACCEPTED
Address: 2740 Old Richardson Highway, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
DoFNSB transfer sites and landfill provide black totes for the collection of household hazardous waste.
Make sure the material container is well sealed and undamaged if possible
Don'tDo not place hazardous waste in regular recycling or in trash.
Do not dump liquids into the totes.
See details ›

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

FNSB Sanitary Landfill - ALSO City of Fairbanks Residential Transfer Site logo
FNSB Sanitary Landfill - ALSO City of Fairbanks Residential Transfer Site
↳ part of Household Hazardous Waste
Recycle
ResidentialFREEBusiness$
Address: 455 Sanduri Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 12pm-4pm; closed New Year's, Thanksgiving, Christmas
DoKeep items in original, sealed containers with labels intact
Follow product label instructions for storage and disposal directions
Residents use black totes; businesses follow scale house attendant direction
Don'tDo not place hazardous waste in regular recycling or trash
Do not pour chemicals down sinks, toilets, or drains
Do not mix different products together
Do not store hazardous products in food containers
See details ›

Last updated on July 13, 2026 by Green Star GM

The Door - Youth Shelter logo
The Door - Youth Shelter
Reuse
ResidentialFREEBusinessFREE
Address: 138 10th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: 24/7
DoDonate soap and detergent in its original packaging when possible
Don'tDo not donate almost-empty soaps and detergents.
Do not donate soaps and detergents mixed or contaminated with other substances.
See details ›

Last updated on June 22, 2026 by Green Star GM

About Soaps and Detergents

What it is

The vast majority of cleaning products are water soluble and are formulated for safe disposal in either municipal or home wastewater treatment systems. The concentrated forms of some commercial cleaning products are classified as hazardous, creating potential handling, storage, and disposal issues for users, though typical household formulations are not. EPA considers some leftover household products that can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic as household hazardous waste.(1, 3)

How it’s recycled

After disposal, biodegradable surfactants are processed through sewer systems or septic systems into nonhazardous byproducts, where treatments separate solid waste by flotation or settling and dissolved materials are broken down by microorganisms.(5)

How to prepare it

Read the label and follow the directions for smart use and disposal of any cleaning product. Read product labels for disposal directions to reduce the risk of products exploding, igniting, leaking, mixing with other chemicals, or posing other hazards.(5)

Common mistakes

People often mix cleaning products together during use or disposal, which should be avoided. Some may improperly pour products containing hazardous ingredients down drains or toilets, which can contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems.(3, 5)

Environmental impact

EPA recommends using nontoxic, phosphate-free soaps because while phosphates have low toxicity, they cause nutrient pollution and feed algae, leading to eutrophication and harmful algal blooms. Certain ingredients in cleaning products can present hazard concerns to exposed populations or toxicity to aquatic species in waters receiving inadequately treated wastes.(2, 4, 6)

Did you know?

Plastic bottles for most laundry, dishwashing and household cleaning products contain between 25% to 100% recycled resin and often can be recycled again after use.(5)

Sources & additional reading

  1. Soap and Detergent Manufacturing Effluent Guidelines | US EPA epa.gov
  2. Identifying Greener Cleaning Products | US EPA epa.gov
  3. Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) | US EPA epa.gov
  4. What You Can Do: In Your Home | US EPA epa.gov
  5. Cleaning Product Disposal | The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) cleaninginstitute.org
  6. Phosphates in detergent - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
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See all locations54
Address: 2128 Van Horn Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm; Sat 9am-3pm

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Access Alaska This location loves volunteers!

Nonprofit
See location details ›
Address: 975 Van Horn Road. Suite 6, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Last updated on July 13, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3598 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 AM-12:00 AM, Sun 10:00 AM-11:00 PM

Last updated on June 21, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2925 Newby Rd, North Pole, AK 99705 Get directions ›

The center processes approximately 40,000 pairs of eyeglasses per year and sends out approximately 30,000 to eye care missions. The Lions ship glasses recycled at their Aurora Borealis Lions Eyeglass Recycling Facility…

Last updated on June 25, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3027 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat 8:00 AM-7:00 PM, Sun 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: Fairbanks, AK Get directions ›

Contact business for details about collection and dropoff options.

Last updated on May 31, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 401 E Van Horn Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Monday–Friday: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Saturday: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

To secure a precise quote for your exact material (whether it is structural steel, pipe, sheet metal, or non-ferrous scrap), it is best to contact them directly.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Chena Tool Library This location loves volunteers!

Nonprofit
See location details ›
Address: 1917 Lillian Street, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Wednesday 3pm-8pm, Saturday 9am-5pm

A tool library is just what it sounds like: a place for community members to share resources, learn from each other, and check out tools for their own projects. The sharing economy…

Last updated on July 14, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 32 College Rd., Fairbanks, AK Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Last updated on June 3, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2226 Old Steese Hwy N Y, Fairbanks, AK 99712 Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 805 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Last updated on June 3, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 301 N Santa Claus Ln, North Pole, AK Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Drop box is located near the Northwest corner of the parking lot just West of the welcome center.

Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1910 Tanana Lp E, Fairbanks, AK 99775 Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1650 Cowles St, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm; Sat-Sun 10am-6pm

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Fairbanks Community Food Bank This location loves volunteers!

Nonprofit
See location details ›
Address: 725 26th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99701-2377 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm, Sat 10:00am-2:00pm

Last updated on July 4, 2026 by Green Star GM

Fairbanks Rescue Mission This location loves volunteers!

Nonprofit
See location details ›
Address: 723 27th Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: 9am-5pm M-F

The Fairbanks Rescue Mission serves over 100 people a day and are in constant need of the following items: Men’s/ Women’s t-shirts & underwear (New) sm, med , l, xl Men’s Jeans…

Last updated on July 4, 2026 by Green Star GM

FNSB Central Recycling Facility (CRF) This location loves volunteers!

Recycling FacilityFNSB residents and businesses only
See location details ›
Address: 1855 Marika Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10:00am-5:30pm, Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm, Closed Sunday-Monday

The FNSB Central Recycling Facility (CRF) is an FNSB Solid Waste provided service for FNSB residents and businesses / organizations only. The CRF is funded via the FNSB Enterprise Fund (landfill tipping…

Last updated on July 31, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 889 Holmes Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sun 6am-10pm

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 5749 Old Chatanika Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 13, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2395 Old Chena Ridge Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›
Hours: 7 days a week, 6 AM to 10 PM

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2535 Little Shot Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 301 Old Steese Highway N, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sun 6am-10pm

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2180 Farmers Loop Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sun 6am-10pm

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 284 Goldstream Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›
Hours: 7 days a week, 24 hours a day

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3485 Old Richardson Highway, North Pole, AK 99705 Get directions ›
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2740 Old Richardson Highway, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 455 Sanduri Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 12pm-4pm; closed New Year's, Thanksgiving, Christmas

The FNSB Sanitary Landfill also serves as the transfer sites for FNSB residents living inside the City of Fairbanks.

Last updated on July 13, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 901 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›

The mission of BRIDGE is to assist young adults with developmental disabilities in gaining skills, knowledge and appropriate behaviors to become successful individuals, citizens and workers in the community.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 930 Old Steese Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sun 6:00 am - 11:00 pm

Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3755 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sun 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Green Star of Interior Alaska This location loves volunteers!

NonprofitInterior Alaska
See location details ›
Address: 2134 Texaco Ave Suite A, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Office: Mon-Thu 9am-2pm; Electronics Sales: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 1pm-5pm

Home of the Green Star electronics recycling warehouse and our Reuse IT discounted refurbished electronics store, Repair IT desktop and laptop repair, Rebuild IT computer building classes and Reboot IT technology grants.

Last updated on June 21, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1301 Old Steese Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm; Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm

Take compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) to staff at self-checkout lane if service desk attendants do not know where they belong.

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Literacy Council - Forget-me-not Books This location loves volunteers!

Nonprofit
See location details ›
Address: 2216 S. Cushman Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11:00am-5:30pm

Last updated on July 2, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1550 Spur Ct., North Pole, AK 99705 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-5pm

Formerly Chena Power / K & K Recycling

Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1890 Marika Rd., Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Sat-Sun Closed

We are a family owned local business here in Alaska. North Pole Coffee Roasting Company has been in the specialty coffee business for over twenty years serving Alaskans and consumers worldwide. Founded…

Last updated on July 16, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 30 College Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Open 5AM - Midnight 7 days per week.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3755 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Open 5AM - Midnight 7 days per week.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 301 N Santa Claus Ln, North Pole, AK 99705 Get directions ›
Hours: Open 5AM - Midnight 7 days per week.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 138 10th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: 24/7

Last updated on June 22, 2026 by Green Star GM

The Folk School This location loves volunteers!

Nonprofit
See location details ›
Address: Pioneer Park, Cabin 66, 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: By appointment or class schedule

Last updated on July 1, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: Fairbanks, AK Get directions ›

The Great Alaskan Bowl Company prides itself on being a low to zero waste manufacturing facility, using up or giving away all parts of our byproducts from sawdust to firewood. The bowls…

Last updated on July 16, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1651 College Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00am-7:00pm, Sat-Sun 10:00am-6:00pm

Last updated on June 20, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2222 S Cushman St, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10:00am - 5:30pm

Acceptable items: Clean Clothing Linens and towels Clothing accessories: belts, ties, scarves, hats Small appliances Clean shoes, boots, sandals, etc. Vehicles with titles Toys, games, puzzles Eye glasses Books, DVD'S, VHS's, Cassette…

Last updated on June 20, 2026 by Green Star GM


See all FAQs1
General FAQs1
So my question….how do you manage to make used white paper and old used white envelopes into something? How are they so different from all other paper that they need to be separated out? It has boggled my mind for so long so I decided to finally ask. Thanks so much! Sue R

Hi Sue - thanks for the great question. We do not make white paper into things, but the FNSB's downstream processor, Smurfitt Westrock does. The reason that white (vs other colored paper) is "different" is that the fibers have not yet been dyed, so white paper can become white again, while dyed fibers cannot. For this reason, the borough is able to recover more value for white paper than mixed, and so we separate and bale the white paper separately. This is very similar to the difference between colored and "natural" (translucent uncolored) HDPE #2 plastic. You can make colored from natural HDPE, but you cannot make natural from colored. Similarly, the FNSB receives more per ton for natural than colored #2's so we separate those as well. It gets pretty confusing, but success in recycling truly comes down to sorting. At some point even otherwise recyclable material is considered a contaminant if it is in with the wrong thing.

Also appears in Paper (white / office), FNSB Central Recycling Facility (CRF)
Material FAQs1
Paper (white / office)1
So my question….how do you manage to make used white paper and old used white envelopes into something? How are they so different from all other paper that they need to be separated out? It has boggled my mind for so long so I decided to finally ask. Thanks so much! Sue R

Hi Sue - thanks for the great question. We do not make white paper into things, but the FNSB's downstream processor, Smurfitt Westrock does. The reason that white (vs other colored paper) is "different" is that the fibers have not yet been dyed, so white paper can become white again, while dyed fibers cannot. For this reason, the borough is able to recover more value for white paper than mixed, and so we separate and bale the white paper separately. This is very similar to the difference between colored and "natural" (translucent uncolored) HDPE #2 plastic. You can make colored from natural HDPE, but you cannot make natural from colored. Similarly, the FNSB receives more per ton for natural than colored #2's so we separate those as well. It gets pretty confusing, but success in recycling truly comes down to sorting. At some point even otherwise recyclable material is considered a contaminant if it is in with the wrong thing.

Also appears in General FAQ, FNSB Central Recycling Facility (CRF)
Location FAQs1
FNSB Central Recycling Facility (CRF)1
So my question….how do you manage to make used white paper and old used white envelopes into something? How are they so different from all other paper that they need to be separated out? It has boggled my mind for so long so I decided to finally ask. Thanks so much! Sue R

Hi Sue - thanks for the great question. We do not make white paper into things, but the FNSB's downstream processor, Smurfitt Westrock does. The reason that white (vs other colored paper) is "different" is that the fibers have not yet been dyed, so white paper can become white again, while dyed fibers cannot. For this reason, the borough is able to recover more value for white paper than mixed, and so we separate and bale the white paper separately. This is very similar to the difference between colored and "natural" (translucent uncolored) HDPE #2 plastic. You can make colored from natural HDPE, but you cannot make natural from colored. Similarly, the FNSB receives more per ton for natural than colored #2's so we separate those as well. It gets pretty confusing, but success in recycling truly comes down to sorting. At some point even otherwise recyclable material is considered a contaminant if it is in with the wrong thing.

Also appears in General FAQ, Paper (white / office)

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