The Government of Yukon has released the What We Heard report for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) following public and stakeholder engagement on waste diversion and the future of recycling in the territory.
From November 1, 2022, to February 17, 2023, the Government of Yukon conducted engagement to collect feedback through stakeholder meetings, public open houses, written submissions and a public survey hosted by the Yukon Bureau of Statistics. The purpose of the engagement process was to collect feedback to help inform the development of a regulation regarding EPR, which is a waste management system in which the companies that sell products and packaging are also responsible for the recycling or disposal of it.
Yukoners provided feedback regarding which specific products should be included in the regulation, service level expectations for recycling, exemptions for small businesses and the process for EPR program plans and approvals.
The results of this engagement show that a sustainable recycling system is important to Yukoners. The new regulation is expected to be in place by the end of 2023. The development of the new regulation will be followed by robust consultation, planning and implementation phase primarily between producers and local businesses. New producer-led diversion services are expected to be in place by the end of 2025.
Thank you to all Yukoners and local businesses who participated in this engagement and provided feedback on the future of recycling and waste management. Your input will help us develop and implement an Extended Producer Responsibility framework that aligns with the rest of Canada, meets the needs of Yukoners and supports our goals to reduce and divert waste.
Minister of Environment Nils Clarke
All 10 Canadian provinces have EPR regulatory frameworks in place. The Yukon will become the first territory to introduce EPR.
Priority material categories are printed paper and packaging, household hazardous waste and automotive waste.
EPR programs are expected to be implemented by the end of 2025.
Government of Yukon committed to developing an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation by 2025 in Our Clean Future: A Yukon strategy for climate change, energy and a green economy.
Jordan Owens
Cabinet Communications
867-332-0615
jordan.owens@yukon.ca
Chantelle Rivest
Communications, Environment
867-334-9815
chantelle.rivest@yukon.ca