The Government of Yukon has announced the approval of three stewardship plans under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. In the EPR program, stewardship plans describe how producers will manage waste and recycling in the territory while minimizing the environmental impact of consumer products.
The first approved plan was submitted by Call2Recycle for the recycling of batteries. This program, which will take effect on June 24, 2025, aims to boost recycling efforts and reduce the number of batteries entering the waste stream.
The second approved stewardship plan, developed by Interchange Recycling, focuses on the recycling of oil, diesel exhaust fluid and antifreeze. Set to begin on August 1, 2025, this initiative provides an eco-friendly approach to managing commonly used, yet environmentally hazardous, products.
A third stewardship plan, designed to collect packaging and paper materials, will be operated by Circular Materials and will launch on November 1, 2025. The plan has been approved and will be published once finalized.
Additionally, a fourth stewardship plan for hazardous and special products is currently being developed by Product Care and is expected to be completed this summer. This program is set to begin implementation this fall.
The EPR program is a vital part of the Government of Yukon’s broader commitment to improving recycling and reducing waste in the territory, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable environment for future generations.
For more information on the EPR program and to learn about steward obligations, people can visit yukon.ca/extended-producer-responsibility.
Stewardship is a shared responsibility and with the approval of these plans, the Government of Yukon is taking important steps towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future. We are excited about the progress and look forward to the upcoming programs that will continue to strengthen our recycling and waste management systems.
The Government of Yukon is committed to strengthening recycling systems and reducing waste across the territory. The Extended Producer Responsibility program is a key part of our broader commitment to improving recycling and solid waste management, helping to create a cleaner, more sustainable environment for future generations. These new stewardship plans build on the progress we’ve made since the 2018 Ministerial Committee on Solid Waste and represent a major step toward a more sustainable waste management system for all Yukoners.
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Extended Producer Responsibility is a system in which the businesses and organizations that introduce waste into the Yukon are responsible for collecting and recovering it.
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Extended Producer Responsibility shifts the costs of waste diversion from the municipalities and the Yukon government to those producing and selling packaging and paper products, as well as hazardous and special products.
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Extended Producer Responsibility stabilizes waste diversion in the Yukon while ensuring these hard-to-handle materials are managed responsibly and that recycling is treated as an essential service.
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The Government of Yukon committed to developing an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation by 2025 under Our Clean Future: A Yukon strategy for climate change, energy and a green economy.
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Action I14 under Our Clean Future will make producers responsible for managing materials through the lifecycle of a product.
- In early 2022, the Government of Yukon consulted with most affected stakeholders to draft a legislative proposal for the Extended Producer Responsibility regulation.
- From November 1, 2022, to February 17, 2023, the government conducted public and stakeholder engagement to gather feedback through meetings, written submissions and a public survey.
- In the Fall 2023 Legislature Sitting, Bill No. 28, Amendments to the Environment Act was passed, allowing the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility Regulation.
- The Extended Producer Responsibility Regulation came into effect on January 25, 2024, marking the start of the implementation period.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
[email protected]
Mara De La Rosa
Communications, Environment
867-456-5565
[email protected]