Our Commitment to Sustainability

Holland America Princess Alaska-Yukon (HAP) is dedicated to preserving the environment and improving the communities where we operate. Our sustainability program, Sustain Alaska and the Yukon (SAY), is the foundation of all our goals and decisions. We believe in not just talking about sustainability but taking action.

Our Initiatives and Projects

HAP Alaska-Yukon strives to protect our environment proactively. We are engaged in reducing energy and waste generated, from installing LED lights to running solar-powered carts. 

Here are some of the other initiatives and projects we participate in to achieve our sustainability goals as part of the Sustain Alaska and the Yukon program:

Recycling & Composting

  • We have increased cardboard recycling in Denali over 100% to 133K lbs in 2019. 
  • We partnered with Denali Borough to start a community recycling program in 2020.
  • Our properties recycle cardboard, plastics, office paper, aluminum cans, scrap metals, linens, furniture, cooking oil, lightbulbs, batteries, and e-waste. We have investments in recycling, composting, kitchen waste oil burners, and food bio-digester equipment to reduce all types of waste.
  • The toilet paper, napkins and paper towels that we use are made from 100 percent recycled content. 
  • Several lodges compost on site or participate in local composting programs.

Decreasing Single-Use Plastic

  • We have cut down on single-use plastic items such as plastic straws, garbage bin liners, and water bottles by offering water refill stations and asking guests if bags or disposables are needed before distributing.  
  • Refillable amenity dispensers are in all guest room showers.
  • For when we need to use single use disposables, we purchase earth-friendly compostables.
  • We have removed water in single use plastic bottles from our motorcoaches, gift shops and food & beverage venues and replaced them with locally sourced water bottles in aluminum, that is eternally recyclable.

Investing

  • HAP has invested in new technology to reduce waste and our greenhouse gas emissions. Investments include a hybrid laundry truck, food digesters, wildlife proof composting units, glass crushers, cardboard balers, and heaters that burn used kitchen oil.

Educating & Incentivising

  • We are committed to educating our employees on ways they can participate and reduce our impact. 
  • We provide awards for innovative ideas from our employees.
  • We offer coupon incentives to guests who decline stay-over service to save water,  cleaning products, and linens.

 

How You Can Make a Sustainable Difference

When it comes to sustainability, every action makes a difference. To be a part of reaching our sustainability goals, here are a few tips to minimize trash and waste while working in Alaska and the Yukon this summer:

  • Bring a reusable water bottle to refill at one of our many water refill stations
  • Bring or buy a reusable bag to use for shopping and carrying supplies
  • Bring your own coffee mug to your favorite coffee shop – HAP espresso shops offer free drip coffee to employees with their own mug!
  • Refuse to use the big four single-use plastics: bottles, cups, bags, and straws 
  • Choose groceries and toiletries with minimal packaging and recycle after use
  • Opt for paperless tickets, receipts, and paychecks
  • Turn lights, fans, TVs, etc. off when not in use
  • Recycle aluminum cans, plastics #1 & #2, cardboard, paper, and plastic film depending on what’s available at your working location’s community
  • In some of our remote working sites, recycling services are very limited, so practice Leave No Trace ethics – if you pack it in, pack it out.