Would you like an espresso with your garbage?

Odds are that Talkeetna Refuse operates one of the most unique business combinations in all of solid waste management.

Maybe even a one-of-a-kind operation.

Certainly owner Bill Stearns knows of no other solid waste transfer station and drive-up espresso business anywhere else.

Nestled among the tall trees about 100 miles north of Anchorage, Talkeetna Refuse operates Alaska's only privately owned transfer station.

It's here where waste from its own collection vehicles as well as drive-up traffic from area residents is loaded into transfer trailers for the trip down to the Central landfill in Palmer, about 65 miles away.

Folks who drop off their trash pull up to a window in the front part of the building to pay for disposal before dropping their trash off around back. And, if they are in the mood on Mondays and Fridays, they can stop at another drive-up window located in the back of the building to order an espresso or smoothie or some other beverage.

Warm beverages are important in these cold parts, and other small espresso stands dot the landscape on the journey up the Parks Highway from Wasilla.

But those folks at other roadside stands don't take your trash.

Sterns calls Brown Bear Espresso, the name of the business, another profit center for his company. It's only open two days a week because that's when a part-time employee who runs the shop and does office work is on duty.

Small signs are placed out by the road on Mondays and Fridays to alert passing motorists that it's an espresso day.

"It's as much for in-house as it is for external customers. We employ about 28 people between the two businesses. They know they can't find any better beverage in the area," Stearns said.

Employees of Talkeetna Refuse and Stearn's D&S Road Services businesses are allowed a beverage a day at no charge and can buy more at discounted rates.

While Brown Bear Espresso is supposed to be open only Mondays and Fridays, the business has been known to take special orders during the week from customers who just can't wait.

"We have a very broad reputation, everything we do, we do very well, from espresso to garbage to road services," Stearns said. "If I can't do it very well, I won't do it. And espresso is right in there."

Brown Bear Espresso has been open since 2003 and was the brainchild of Dawn Jones, administrative assistant to Stearns. Jones had previous experience owning and operating two different restaurants.

"What I did is I got him hooked on coffee and then I was able to build my espresso [business]," she joked.

"If you make a really good cup of coffee, they will come and they do," Jones said. "Sometimes people like to come through and pay for their garbage and get a cup."

Stearns said he studied the business case for the espresso business before deciding to invest in the equipment and resources.

"It really should be a stand-alone business, and at some point it will. It works fine here," he said.

Related Articles

Los Angeles to become largest city in U.S. to ban plastic bags

Exide Technologies granted temporary shutdown reprieve in California

Burgmeier's Hauling buys accounts from Waste Management in Pennsylvania

Trash collection complaints down in Toronto

Waste Management schedules earnings conference call