Statement from Minister Clarke on Plastic Free July

Minister of Environment Nils Clarke has issued the following statement:

“This month is Plastic Free July, a global initiative built on sharing plastic free resources and solutions, with an overall vision of seeing a world free of plastic waste. For the month of July, we are encouraging Yukoners to take part and do what we can to reduce dependence on plastics.

“There are many ways that Yukoners can help reduce the amount of plastic used in our daily lives and every bit of effort makes a difference. This includes using reusable food containers, recycling what can be recycled and saying no to single-use items like coffee cups and lids, water bottles, straws and utensils.

“Our government is making progress on this front. In January 2022, a ban on single-use plastic bags was brought into effect, followed by a ban on single-use paper bags in January 2023. We are also working toward implementing an Extended Producer Responsibility regulation that supports a sustainable recycling program in the territory and encourages producers to design packaging to be less wasteful.

“Reducing our reliance on plastics is one way that we can help ensure that the Yukon remains wild, beautiful and biodiverse. Let’s work towards a plastic-free future together.”