Matson and the Qawalangin Tribe Return Recycling to Unalaska

Matson and the Qawalangin Tribe Return Recycling to Unalaska

Brown grass covers the hillside as workers stand at a remediation project site.
Qawalangin Tribe workers survey a remediation project site.

 

The Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska is expanding recycling capabilities, led by Environmental Coordinator Jon Gustafson.

The tribe is a federally recognized sovereign nation on the Aleutian island of Unalaska, which is home to Dutch Harbor. The tribe works to support its members’ economic and social well-being through programs relating to health and wellness, fisheries, climate resilience, recycling and other areas.

Volunteers stand with the Caring for Alaska sign and a full Matson container of electronic waste recycling.
The Qawalangin Tribe has been instrumental in carrying out electronic waste recycling through Backhaul Alaska, a program supported by Matson’s Caring for Alaska program.

Gustafson stated that previous recycling programs on the island ended for various reasons. When he took on the job of bringing recycling back, Gustafson said he reached out to Matson. “That seemed like a much better route,” he said.

Matson provides two shipping containers a year to take recycling from the island to a vendor in Seattle.

In 2022, Gustafson helped bring consistent recycling of aluminum cans back to the island.

“We started a recycling program from scratch,” said Gustafson.

With the program expansion, the tribe expects to eventually be able to accept plastic, glass, and cardboard.

Gustafson revealed that getting the program going has been a lot of work, but he’s driven to do the work to help the environment on the island, especially with climate change in mind.

“Recycling is critical,” said Gustafson, “and they hadn’t been able to keep up with it in the past years.”

Gustafson has also been instrumental in carrying out electronic waste recycling through Backhaul Alaska, a program supported by Matson’s Caring for Alaska program. Roughly 13,000 pounds of electronic waste was removed from Unalaska during a collection event in August.

At its annual banquet in August, Alaskans recognized Gustafson’s work for Litter Prevention and Recycling (ALPAR). Gustafson and the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska received Alaska’s top award for “New or Enhanced Recycling Program” award.