The Backhaul Alaska Program (BAP), steered by the Solid Waste Alaska Taskforce (SWAT), is designed to facilitate a statewide system for the effective and economical backhaul of hazardous and potentially hazardous materials from all Alaskan communities. Managed by key representatives from diverse environmental and community-focused organizations, BAP supports rural communities with essential training, supplies, and logistical support for backhauling operations.

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Background

In 2023, the Backhaul Alaska Program (BAP) continued to expand upon its "hub & spoke" strategy, a foundational aspect of its waste management framework initiated during its initial implementation phase in 2022. This year's focus was on enrolling additional communities and enhancing regional collection events.

BAP maintained its commitment to equipping rural Alaskan communities with the necessary training, supplies, and technical support needed to efficiently backhaul materials such as escrap, lead acid batteries, and Universal Waste lamps, building on the substantial groundwork laid in previous years.

Communities Served in 2023

In 2023, the Backhaul Alaska Program (BAP) continued to expand its reach and enhance its services across Alaska. Key initiatives included developing regional hubs for long-term backhaul services and utilizing significant Matson freight donations to facilitate substantial shipments in regions like Unalaska and Kodiak.

The program also focused on addressing hazardous household waste (HHW), utilizing regional resources for comprehensive waste management solutions, and streamlining supply chains to lower costs. This concerted effort allowed BAP to extend services to 53 communities, bringing the total served to 79.

Training

In 2023, the BAP significantly expanded its educational initiatives, offering five key training sessions aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency in hazardous material management. These sessions were attended by 76 individuals from 43 Alaskan communities, emphasizing practical skills in hazardous material regulations and best practices for safe backhaul operations. Highlights included specialized training in partnership with Kodiak Area Native Association (KANA) and targeted environmental job training for rural Alaskan communities. The comprehensive spread of training locations from Anchorage to Kodiak illustrates BAP's commitment to statewide educational outreach.

Site Visits

In 2023, the BAP carried out comprehensive site visits to ensure the effectiveness of its backhaul initiatives across diverse Alaskan communities. These visits, crucial for maintaining high standards of waste management, involved detailed assessments of community readiness, verification of material inventories, and evaluations of storage capacities.

Key Activities During Site Visits:

• Community Readiness Assessment: BAP staff and Regional Coordinators reviewed the current status of backhaul activities in each location, ensuring communities were prepared for upcoming waste removal efforts.
• Inventory Management: Each visit included a thorough check to confirm the inventory of hazardous materials, ensuring accurate tracking and compliance with safety regulations.
• Capacity Evaluation: Evaluations focused on each community's ability to collect and store hazardous materials safely, with adjustments made based on specific local needs.
• Supply and Label Checks: Ensuring that all necessary labels, supplies, and personal protective equipment were available and up to standard to maintain safety during backhaul operations.
• Training and Guidance: Tailored training sessions were provided, covering best practices in material collection, storage, and safe packaging—key for communities new to the program or needing refreshers due to staff turnover.

Impact of Site Visits: From working with local backhaul coordinators in rural communities to working with regional coordinators in Fairbanks and Kodiak, these site visits highlighted BAP’s adaptive approach to environmental stewardship, ensuring that all communities received the support needed to effectively manage and reduce hazardous waste.

Program Partnerships

• Matson Caring for Alaska Program: In 2023, Matson’s program continued to be a significant supporter, facilitating multiple shipments across Alaska including Kodiak, Unalaska, and along the road system. Their contributions were critical in managing over 136,000 lbs of recycled materials through strategic freight donations.
• Responsible Battery Coalition (RBC): RBC's collaboration remains strong, providing substantial logistical and technical support, crucial for recycling over 78,000 lbs of lead acid batteries in 2023. Their efforts emphasize the responsible management and recycling of end-of-life batteries.
• Metro Metals Northwest: As a major escrap processor, Metro Metals played a pivotal role by recycling nearly 192,000 lbs of materials in 2023. Their ongoing support extends beyond recycling, offering logistical aid and training facilitation to enhance BAP’s operations.
• Total Reclaim: Continuing their long-standing partnership, Total Reclaim supported BAP with essential recycling services and supplies, contributing significantly to the program's success in handling complex waste streams.
• Kawerak – Alaska Airlines In-Kind Backhaul Program: The partnership with Alaska Airlines blossomed in 2023, successfully backhauling over 43,000 lbs of escrap from Nome to Anchorage, highlighting the effectiveness of using air cargo for environmental conservation efforts.
• Additional Program Supporters: Support from entities like EPA, BIA, and the Denali Commission, alongside local organizations like ANTHC and Kawerak, underscores the collaborative effort required to sustain backhaul operations across Alaska’s vast and diverse regions.

Backhaul Activity

Throughout 2023, the BAP has managed the logistics and transportation of approximately 450,000 lbs of materials from various Alaskan communities, focusing on efficiently and cost-effectively connecting these communities with recycling vendors. The year also saw a shift in how the program manages its Control Tower operations.

Previously handled by Waste Management, staffing challenges led BAP to bring these responsibilities in-house, directly overseeing the complex logistics that facilitate recycling efforts across Alaska. This change aims to enhance the responsiveness and adaptability of the program to the unique challenges presented by remote and diverse community needs.

Packaging Validation

BAP's packaging validation efforts for 2023 involved feedback from several partners, addressing the overall quality and specific suggestions for improvement:

• Metro Metals, NW: Good overall packaging, will provide more materials in 2024, emphasized sorting items like circuit boards for better cost efficiency.
• Central Recycling Service: Prefers not receiving aluminum cans in supersacks; suggests minimum segregation of CRT/LCD from other escrap.
• Sourdough Express: Corrected labeling issues with battery totes from Lakes Communities.
• Iliamna Development Corporation: Similar to Ruby Marine, all lead acid batteries must be packaged in fish totes.
• Internal (Zender): Noted the need for reinforced packaging on AK Air Cargo shipments; highlighted the statewide use of Universal Waste labels for escrap.

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