Anchorage Businesses Take the Plastic-Free Pledge
Plastic Free 907 helps Anchorage businesses reduce single-use plastics through a tiered system that turns small changes into lasting impact.A growing number of Anchorage businesses are rethinking their relationship with plastic, one item at a time, through a local initiative that prioritizes practical change over sweeping mandates. Plastic Free 907, led by Alaska Community Action on Toxics, brings together businesses and organizations committed to reducing single-use plastics across Alaska’s communities, oceans, and waterways. Rather than enforcing rigid standards, the program operates as a recognition system that highlights those taking measurable steps toward sustainability. “Plastic Free 907 is a coalition of Alaskans who want to make a difference in the fight against plastic pollution,” said Courtney Moore, Plastics and Petrochemicals Coordinator at Alaska Community Action on Toxics. “We are a recognition program that celebrates businesses and organizations that are making sustainable choices to protect Alaska’s lands and waterways.”
At the core of the initiative is a three-tier system designed to make participation both accessible and scalable. Tier 3 organizations commit to removing one to three single-use plastic items, such as straws, cutlery, lids, or produce bags. Tier 2 expands that commitment to three to five items. Tier 1 represents spaces that are “as plastic free as a place can be,” having largely eliminated single-use plastics from their operations. The structure is intentionally gradual, lowering barriers to entry while encouraging sustained change over time. “We chose a tiered system to make it more manageable for a business or organization to make changes and join wherever they are at in their sustainability journey,” Moore said. That approach is already translating into tangible results across Anchorage and beyond. Approximately 15 businesses and organizations in Anchorage have joined the program so far, with additional participants in Palmer and Soldotna. Tier 1 participants offer a clear picture of what this model looks like in practice. Blue Market, a zero-waste refill store, has kept more than 73,000 plastic bottles out of landfills in 2024 alone while providing unpackaged alternatives for everyday goods. Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop emphasizes compostable packaging and locally sourced ingredients, while Wild Scoops uses eco-friendly containers and encourages customers to reuse them. Other participants, including Little Sister Espresso and The Goods + Sustainable Grocery, demonstrate how sustainability can be embedded into daily operations through mindful sourcing, reduced packaging, and community engagement. Even at earlier stages, the impact is visible. “I’ve seen a lot of businesses making small changes by eliminating single-use plastic items, which keeps thousands of pieces of plastic out of our landfills and waterways,” Moore said. The most common first steps include removing straws and cutlery, while items like clear plastic cups and lids tend to be more difficult to replace due to customer preferences. Still, Moore notes that viable alternatives exist for nearly every product. The initiative also reflects a broader belief in the power of local action. “People want to care. They want to be involved, and they want to protect our lands for future generations,” she said. “Plastic Free 907 offers tangible steps to enact long lasting change.” For businesses and residents interested in participating, the process is straightforward. Individuals can attend an informational session, reach out directly to the program, or nominate a business already taking steps toward sustainability. These nominations help determine where an organization fits within the tier system and expand the initiative’s reach. While the immediate focus remains on incremental, community-level change, Moore’s long-term vision is more ambitious. “Success would be a single-use plastic ban in Alaska,” she said. For now, Plastic Free 907 continues to build momentum through a model rooted in accessibility, recognition, and the cumulative power of small, sustained decisions. |