Founded in 1996, Alternative Recycling Systems, LLC was established on the premise that the vast majority of recyclable products were being discarded with the daily trash. At that time, the waste removal industry was dominated by large national waste companies that lacked the services and focus of a local and environmentally conscious service provider. With Alternative Recycling, co-founders Patrick Kennedy and Amy Gilburg set out to make a difference by providing an alternative to disposing of recyclables in the daily trash.With funding from a local bank, Kennedy and Gilburg purchased and modified a 1968 International truck which made it possible to begin rget business underway and begin efforts to increase local recycling. The first couple of years were slow going and very part time, but a few key local businesses were instrumental in helping to maintain optimism. The Northampton Brewery, Hampshire Property Management Group, Hampton CourtApartments, A2Z Science and Learning Store and several others were on board from close to day one. The Northampton Brewery's interest in organics recycling helped facilitate the purchase of a second (not so young) truck at which point both feet were now in the water. By 1998 Alternative Recycling Systems began operating as a full waste service company, never losing focus of its recycling roots, hence the tag line

 Although in 2001 Amy Gilburg went on to pursue other fulfilling and successful business interests in leadership training, Patrick Kennedy continues the Alternative Recycling Systems mission. In addition to efforts toward environmental conservation Alternative Recycling has supported the local community with its charitable giving and donation of services. ARS presently operates a fleet of over fifteen vehicles and provides comprehensive waste, recycling and composting services throughout the Pioneer Valley.

Services including:

Residential curbside trash and recycling collection,

Composting collection,

Commercial waste and recycling, and

Temporary roll-off/open-top container rentals for construction debris or household cleanouts.