| Name | Beverage Container Regulation under the Environment Act | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date Implemented | Enacted in 1991, Implemented in 1992 (last updated in 2016) [1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beverages Covered |
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| Beverages Not Covered |
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| Amount of Deposit |
When purchasing beverages, the consumer pays a deposit, which includes a refundable portion and a nonrefundable Recycling Fund Fee (RFF). The first listed value is the total deposit, while the second listed value is the refundable portion, which the consumer receives when they return a container. [2] Containers ≥750mL: CAD$0.35 / CAD$0.25 Containers between 30mL and 750mL: CAD$0.10 / CAD$0.05 Milk and milk substitutes (≥30mL): CAD$0.10 / CAD$0.05 |
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| Reclamation System | Return-to-depot | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Handling Fee | CAD$0.025 – CAD$0.075 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Fees |
Processing Fee (PF): 0.012-0.048 ¢ CAD (Paid to processing facilities for each container received) |
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| Unredeemed Deposits | Retained by the Government (Territory) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Program Success |
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| Complementary Recycling Programs |
Recycling Fund Regulation (enacted September 30, 1992, enacted Environment Act) |
Details
The beverage container regulation was enacted on October 8, 1992 by the Environment Act. [7] The regulations are enforced by The Department of Environment (formerly Environment Yukon), while the Yukon Department of Community Services manages the program itself. Both of these are government entities, unlike other schemes which are operated by non-profit organizations. [8]
Surcharges are applied to beverage containers upon import or manufacture in Yukon. The importer or manufacturer pays the surcharge to the territory's Recycling Fund, a revolving fund separate from general government revenue, and charges it back to their customer. Consumers receive the refundable portion of the surcharge back when they return the container to any registered Yukon depot. Unredeemed deposits also go back to this recycling fund. [9]
Surcharges that are not paid out for returned containers are used to support related recycling activities. Recycling depots receive handling fees per container and also receive a monthly operating allowance. Both registered processors receive a processing fee for each container received from a community depot in addition to handling fees generated by their own depot operations. Depots and processors can apply to the Recycling Fund for grants to improve their facilities and for projects intended to improve recycling opportunities for Yukoners.
Surplus funds are also used to promote recycling. Yukon Community Government Services developed a program aimed at encouraging recycling habits in Yukon children from 4 – 16 years called the Recycling Club, which is managed by Raven Recycling. In addition to receiving their full refund, kids can earn a point for each penny of their refund. Points are accumulated in accounts tracked by a database and can be used toward prizes offered in a Recycling Club catalogue. Prize certificates are printed and are redeemable for specific items at local suppliers. [10]
Freight fees are paid to depot operators who ship the recyclables themselves or are paid to a commercial company providing a freight service.
The beverage container program was last updated in 2017, with updates to the regulations including milk and milk substitutes as part of the program. The program also increased the surcharge from 5 cents to 10 cents, with consumers receiving 5 cents back upon refund. [11]
In December 2021, the Government of Yukon committed to implementing an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program by 2025, as part of the government's "Our Clean Future" initiative. The program will include waste diversion and the encouragement of a circular economy. Yukon Territory's existing stewardship programs, including the beverage container program, are being considered for transition to EPR in the future to "allow for greater flexibility for fee setting and expanding the basket of obligated products to keep up with the new products on the markets." [12]
Beverage Container Regulation (last updated in 2017) under Environmental Act
|
Beverage Container Description |
Surcharge |
Refundable Deposit |
|
Milk (any size) |
10¢ |
5¢ |
|
Beverages other than milk < 750mL |
10¢ |
5¢ |
|
Beverages other than milk ≥ 750mL |
35¢ |
25¢ |
Beverage containers are returned for refund to 14 registered recycling depots in Yukon, two of which are located in the capital, Whitehorse. [13] Containers are processed and then shipped to one of two processors in Whitehorse for processing: Raven Recycling and P&M Recycling (these are also registered return points). Processors take ownership of the materials and are responsible for their sale to material brokers and recyclers.
Footnotes
[1] "Global Deposit Book 2020: An Overview of Deposit Systems for One-Way Beverage Containers." Reloop Inc. December 15, 2020.
[2] Ibid.
[3] See Footnote 1
[4] "Recycling in the Yukon: 2019-2021." The Government of Yukon. August 2, 2022.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] O.I.C. 1992/136.
[8] "Who Pays What 2020: An Analysis of Beverage Container Collection & Costs in Canada." CM Consulting Inc. February 2021.
[9] Ibid.
[10] "YUKON RECYCLING CLUB INFORMATION." Raven Recycling. Last accessed September 12, 2022.
[11] "Changes to Yukon recycling regulations mean money for milk jugs." Joannou, Ashley. Yukon News. August 8, 2017.
[12] "Extended Producer Responsibility in the Yukon: exploration and implementation considerations. Part 4: Regulatory vision and priority materials." Government of Yukon. December 22, 2021.
[13] "What can I recycle and where?" Government of Yukon. Last accessed September 12, 2022.
Last Updated on May 19, 2023.