The Government of Yukon is offering a $2.4 million financial contribution over two years to the City of Whitehorse to offset implementation costs for a new municipal curbside recycling program.
Recognizing that starting a new municipal program of this size poses a significant financial increase to residents and that recycling options within the City of Whitehorse would be limited by the closure of Raven ReCentre, this financial support from the Government of Yukon is intended to cover up to half of the City of Whitehorse’s curbside recycling collection and cover the material processing costs. This two-year investment will support curbside pickup until Extended Producer Responsibility regulation is adopted in 2025, to a maximum of $2.4 million over two years.
The amount of this funding commitment is informed by the latest comprehensive study of the city’s recycling needs.
A curbside recycling program would allow residents a convenient means of disposing of recyclable materials, diverting this material from the landfill and extending the life of the municipal landfill. This curbside service will further help to ensure that Yukoners are well positioned for a transition to an Extended Producer Responsibility model, as we would expect the future service provider to continue with curbside once in place.
I am pleased to offer this financial contribution to support the Mayor and Council as they consider their bold vision for a sustainable future in Yukon’s largest municipality. Curbside recycling is an important part of municipal solid waste services that increases a community’s environmental sustainability and diverts waste from landfills, which are costly to operate and decommission. Establishing a municipal curbside collection system in Yukon’s largest city will be a tremendous environmental benefit and we are proud that this financial support will offset some of the cost for citizens. As we work toward a greener, healthier Yukon, recycling is one of the easiest things we can all do. I encourage the Mayor and Council to take this crucial step towards environmental stewardship in Yukon’s largest municipality.
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Recycling and waste management remain a municipal responsibility.
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Extended Producer Responsibility shifts the costs of recycling from taxpayers to those producing and selling packaging and paper products, as well as hazardous and special products.
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Based on the experiences of other Canadian jurisdictions that have already adopted Extended Producer Responsibility, producer-responsibility organizations are much more likely to keep or expand diversion services being offered by municipalities at the time of transition than to end existing programs in favour of alternative methods of collection.
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Curbside recycling is a new public service for the City of Whitehorse; the Government of Yukon’s assistance is intended to alleviate some of the financial pressure that citizens would bear if the full cost of this new program is put on them.
Jordan Owens
Cabinet Communications
867-332-0615
Jordan.Owens@yukon.ca
John Tonin
Communications, Community Services
867-334-5816
john.tonin@yukon.ca