Rural Waste Management




Solid waste management is difficult in many Alaskan communities. Dump sites often fail to contain the waste; they attract wildlife and disease vectors, and threaten the health and safety of local residents and the environment. Trash at these dump sites is often burned on the ground or in crude burn containers in an attempt to reduce volume and solve these problems. Windblown plastic bags find their way into berry patches, lakes, and rivers. Unfortunately, the problems often persist.

Summit has developed a unique product line of solid waste equipment and management plans that are designed to mitigate these concerns and provide better management of solid waste for rural Alaskans. In addition to the Burn Box, Summit provides a full line of rural solid waste management equipment developed specifically for rural solid waste management applications, including a waste oil storage/transport tank, transportable collection containers, modified tilt trailers for pickups or ATVs, and an enclosed waste transfer station. Our services also include on-site set up assistance, safety placards, and local utility crew training.

Summit works cooperatively with federal, state, regional, private and local funding agencies, and with individual villages to obtain funding for burn boxes and related waste equipment. Examples of agencies that have funded the Summit Burn Boxes and equipment in the past include:

  • Environmental Protection Agency, Indian General Assistance Program, Unmet Needs, and Dump Closeout Programs
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs, Tribal Transpiration Program
  • Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation
  • Denali Commission Solid Waste Program
  • United States Department of Agriculture, Research and Development (USDA RD) Solid Waste Construction Grants.
  • State of Alaska, Designated Legislative Appropriations
  • State of Alaska, Community Development Block Grant (HUD)
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Indian Community Development Block Grant.

    Community Development:

    Summit participates in the following conferences and events providing development of solid waste management plans, grant writing tips, product presentations, and workshops:
    BIA Providers Conference Alaska Municipal League Annual Community Leaders Conference Alaska Form on the Environment ATCEM Conference (Alaska Tribal Conference on Environmental Management) SWAMC Conference (Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference) SWAT Conference (Solid Waste Alaska Task Force) Tanana Chiefs Solid Waste Conference Zender Solid Waste Backhaul Event


    Summit Product Line


    Summit Burn Boxes

    Summit developed the SCS Burn Box in response to demands for improved solid waste management in rural Alaska. The burn box significantly reduces high volumes of trash in short periods of time and can prolong a landfill's useful life by up to 80%. Our Burn Boxes maintain higher temperatures than open ground fire burns therefore, smoke emissions and fly ash are reduced and wild fire danger is contained. Currently available in four models:


    #2 capacity 7 cubic yards
    #4 capacity 20 cubic yards
    #7 capacity 30 cubic yards
    #10 capacity 40 cubic yards

    # 12 capacity of 60 cubic yards designed, but not yet manufactured.

    Summit Trash Trailer, Dumpster, and Tipper Can Our trash trailers are all Alaskan Made and are hand operated with a gear reduction hydraulic system, developed exclusively by Summit for Rural Alaska.


    The Summit 3.2 cubic yard capacity dumpster trailer system can be operated with a pickup, ATV, or snow machine and is ideal for communities with boardwalks or roads. Both the optional removable and un-removable dumpsters keep trash dry and animals out.
    The Summit Tipper Can is operated with the wheel loader and is excellent for rural waste collection and is available in several sizes with a maximum capacity of 4 cubic yards. It includes a hinged lid to keep trash dry and secure from animals and will dump into the Summit Burn Box by simply pulling a lever.

    Used Oil Tank & Energylogic Waste Oil Heater Burner

    Our double wall used oil tank meets UL specifications, is easy to fill, and provides safe storage and transport of used oil. This tank has a capacity of 500 to1000 gallons and can supply fuel to a used oil burner to provide inexpensive heat. It also filters oil and functions as an oil water separator.


    Please refer to the Energylogic Website for more information.

    Utility and Heavy Equipment

    For over 25 years, Summit has supplied quality new and previously owned utility and heavy equipment to village communities throughout Alaska. We can also assist with maintenance kits, spare parts inventory, shipping; and determining the best equipment and value for the community's needs.

    Landfill Designs and Management Plans

    The Summit conceptual landfill design has been developed for Rural Alaska Burn Box Systems in order to reduce land requirements, increase landfill efficiency and longevity, and help protect the environment.

    For more information regarding rural waste management equipment and services, please contact David Lancaster, Rural Waste Management Director, in Summit's Anchorage office at (907) 536-5675.