AFN Passes Resolution Supporting Backhaul and Backhaul Alaska 

May 28th, 2020

The Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN), the largest statewide Native organization in Alaska, passed a resolution supporting backhaul and Backhaul Alaska at their 2019 Annual Convention! 

Senator Murkowski on Backhaul Alaska.

May 19th, 2020

In 2014, Senator Murkowski conceived the original idea of Backhaul Alaska in the Bethel Airport. In her welcome video to the May 2019 Uniform Backhaul Training, she reminisces about that day, how far the program has come, and the need for rural waste backhaul.  She ends with a heartfelt thank you to the many communities, […]

Pilot 1 Community On-Site Training and Inspections

May 13th, 2020

Throughout the Winter and early Spring 2019, Backhaul Alaska staff have been sending out packing supplies to Pilot 1 villages – tailored to each community’s inventory and transportation logistics. On-site training and facility inspections are carried out at each pilot community prior to the backhaul event. Communities are evaluated for adequacy in the following areas: […]

Building A Rural Alaska Safety Culture

Backhaul Alaska is building a system of checks and balances that ensures communities have properly trained staff with adequate infrastructure to backhaul safely and effectively, in compliance with all applicable federal rules and guidelines. In doing so, communities are given the tools, gear, and training to build a rural Alaska safety culture. From handling batteries […]

In-Person Pilot 2 Meeting

February 1st, 2020

In February of 2020, the Backhaul Alaska Pilot 2 communities were able meet in person during the annual Alaska Forum on the Environment Conference. Coordinators from 15 Pilot 2 communities participated in the meeting along with their Regional Coordinators.  Communities and their Regional coordinators broke out into regional groups to develop work plans and identify […]

In-Person Regional Coordinator Meeting

November 1st, 2019

Regional Coordinators are the backbone of the Backhaul Alaska Program. These coordinators work directly with Program communities, providing guidance, on-site assistance, and troubleshooting issues as they arise. Further, the Regional Coordinators deliver valuable feedback, allowing for the Program to refine its practices and continually improve to better serve local backhaul programs. In November of 2019, […]

Final Pilot 1 Shipments Arrive in Seattle

Pilot 1 backhaul shipments wrapped up in November 2019 when shipments from the final two Pilot 1 communities Golovin and Unalakleet were received by recycling vendors in Seattle, WA. Both communities received onsite assistance by Backhaul Alaska Regional Coordinator, Vanessa Tahbone (Environmental Coordinator at Kawerak Inc.) to help prepare the shipments. Upon arrival, one of […]

Waste Management Hired as Pilot Control Tower

October 1st, 2019

In late fall of 2019, Waste Management was selected by the Backhaul Alaska Program to manage the shipping logistics for the Program’s Pilot 2 phase. In performing the “Control Tower” role, Waste Management will use their expertise to assist the Program with shipping and recycling materials in a more efficient and economic manner. Stephanie Mason, […]