Yukon Government Looking to Revamp Territory's Recycling System

Tuesday, 23 April 2019 12:47

Plastic boxes are currently being scattered across Whitehorse to convey just how much plastic Yukoners use every year.

Minister of Community Services John Streicker and Whitehorse Mayor Dan Curtis provided an update today about changes to Yukon's recycling system that would target the reduction of plastic and paper bag usage.

The territorial and municipal governments are currently seeking feedback to improving Yukon’s recycling system.

Minister of Community Services John Streicker provided a briefing today regarding the proposed changes, and Streicker says the changes would aim to replicate the Northwest Territories recycling program.

"We've got out a Designated Material Regulation right now on single-use bags. That's both plastic and paper and it's open for another three days. We're encouraging all Yukoners to have their say and get involved. Our goal through that regulation is not necessarily to put a price on plastic bags or to put a price on paper bags, but it's meant to reduce the use of single-use bags."

One of the proposals in the regulations is to implementing a small fee for the distribution of paper and plastic bags at Yukon stores. The funds generated there would then be used to implement more territorial recycling initiatives.

Streicker says plastics and paper produces produce numerous environmental problems in the territory.

"All governments combined...together we're spending $11 million a year on waste. Not only that, there's a ton of environment impacts with that waste as well. From micro-plastics to carbon dioxide and emissions due to the transportation of recycling, it all adds up. What we want to do is reduce."

Mayor Dan Curtis says the city needs to do more to prevent the Whitehorse landfill from becoming full within a matter of years.

"The landfill here in Whitehorse, our solid-waste facility, costs over $3.5 million a year to run it. So if don't divert more like plastics, that facility will be full by 2043. It's going to cost more than just money to address the concerns. The minister talked about leech aids, concerns we have around our aquifers and our ground water...so it's incredibly important that we divert. It's important that we keep the landfill that we have going for a very long time."

Only 16% of plastic waste in Yukon is recycled and each person in Yukon generates almost one ton of waste per year.