SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The innovative e-waste recycling initiative, Backhaul Alaska, has been successful in collecting and recycling tons of materials from rural Alaska. The program has reportedly collected and recycled over 145,000 pounds of lead-acid batteries from around 45 communities, during its first official year of operations. The initiative aims to collect more waste in 2023.

According to Reilly Kosinski of Zender Environmental, many small communities in rural Alaska are roadless and have access to a barge only once or twice in a year. The primary problem faced by these communities is the lack of adequate infrastructure to deal with waste in the region.

Kosinski highlighted the important role played by recycling programs towards safe handling of hazardous waste and other e-waste, which if burned or disposed of irresponsibly, could release harmful chemicals into the environment.

The program provides necessary training to local residents to collect hazardous batteries and other electronic waste. The collected waste is then sent over cargo ships or planes to certified recycling facilities in the Lower 48.

Backhaul Alaska program is being funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of Transportation, and Environmental Protection Agency and is managed by non-profit, Zender Environmental.