Please feel free to explore our previous research below

 For more information or to get involved in helping reduce pollution in your community, contact:

Tanner Johnson

Environmental Programs Coordinator  

Phone: 907-310-6604 /

Email: tjohnson@akforum.org    

Alaska Forum Safer Choice Program: https://akforum.org/safer-choice/  

EPA Safer Choice Program: https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/learn-about-safer-choice-label   

Pollution Prevention Program

Knik Tribe's Natural Resources Department

About the Program
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The Knik Tribe and the Alaska Forum have partnered to build upon the Green Star® program to support Pollution prevention (P2) in Alaska Native Villages. The Knik Tribe and the Alaska Forum have built and provided P2 technical assistance and projects with rural businesses and organizations to raise awareness of and adoption of use of EPA certified Safer Choice products to reduce harmful impacts of conventional chemicals on our environment and community health. This program is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  

What is Pollution Prevention?  

Also known as source reduction, Pollution Prevention is any practice that reduces, eliminates, or prevents pollution at its source prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal. P2 reduces both the financial costs of waste management and cleanup and the environmental and human health costs of pollution. P2 protects the environment by conserving and protecting natural resources, strengthening economic growth through more efficient production in industry and less need for households, businesses, and communities to handle waste.    

Our Work  

With generous funding through the EPA and Knik Tribe, the Alaska Forum has worked to survey the availability of Safer Choice products in local stores across rural Alaska. Collaboration has been built with communities and local businesses to highlight the program and raise awareness of the benefits of making the transition from conventional products. The team has also built technical assistance assets and education to deliver to key community stakeholders through collaboration with statewide organizations.  

Tribal Councils, city administrations, and individuals can demonstrate leadership in their own use of Safer Choice products at work or at home. The Alaska Forum has built digital assets and a toolkit to help stakeholders spread the word about the initiative, which can be used across social media, digital newsletters, or print. Local stores can feature aisle call-outs to help encourage adoption and awareness of Safer Choice products available on their shelves. Communities can help reduce pollution and negative environmental and human health impacts in their region by making the shift towards Safer Choice products in homes, schools, offices, and daily life!    

Why is Safer Choice important?  

Products with the Safer Choice logo have passed the EPA’s stringent criteria to ensure human, pet, and environmental health while also ensuring product performance compared to conventional products, as well as packaging. These products include detergents, surface cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, dish soaps, and more.  

The EPA reviews each chemical ingredient, regardless of volume percentage. Each ingredient must meet strict safety standards for both human health and the environment, including carcinogenicity, reproductive/ developmental toxicity, toxicity to aquatic life, and persistence in the environment.  

Reducing pollution at the source allows communities to lower their input of harmful materials into local waste stream, and the often-associated negative health and environmental impacts.  Safer Choice products are made with ingredients that are safer for people, pets, and the planet without sacrificing performance.