New regulations in the Yukon shift the financial and operational responsibility for recycling from local governments to the organizations that produce and sell packaging and paper.
Circular Materials is the not-for-profit producer responsibility organization responsible for implementing and managing the new extended producer responsibility (EPR) system in the Yukon.
The transition to this new framework will begin on November 1, 2025.
Program-related resources and information.
Download our free app to learn about what’s recyclable, your collection schedule and more.
Cardboard boxes
Pizza boxes, direct mail boxes, moving boxes, shoe boxes.
✅ Flatten.
Boxboard
Cereal boxes, tissue boxes, egg cartons, rolls from toilet paper and paper towel.
✅ Flatten.
✅ Empty.
Paper laminate packaging
Paper pet food bags, food service paper bags, and plates.
✅ Empty and free from food residue.
Paper laminate containers
Spiral cans, cookie dough package, ice cream containers, and hot and cold beverage cups.
✅ Empty and free from food residue.
✅ Remove lids.
Cartons
Soup, broth, egg and sauce cartons.
✅ Empty and free from food residue.
✅ Keep lids on.
Paper
Any colour, including flour bags, prescription bags, paper produce bags.
Notepads, white or coloured loose paper, file folders, other printed materials.
Community newspapers, flyers, brochures and magazines.
Greeting cards and envelopes, gift boxes.
✅ Empty.
✅ Separate from plastic bags used to cover items, remove elastic bands.
❌ Do not include soft or hard covered books/novels.
Hard plastic containers
Laundry detergent and household cleaner jugs, shampoo, body wash, salad dressing, condiment, dish soap, mouth wash bottles.
✅ Empty and free from food residue.
✅ Keep lids on.
PET plastic packaging and containers
Food trays, salad, yogurt, peanut butter, bakery and egg containers, plastic cups, plastic tubs and lids.
✅ Empty and free from food residue.
✅ Keep lids on.
Small item plastic packaging
Hand sanitizer bottles, medication bottles, blister packs, plant pots.
✅ Empty and free from food and residue.
✅ Keep lids on.
Metal containers
Food cans, formula tins, metal lids, cookie, coffee and tea tins
✅ Empty and free from food residue.
Aluminum (foils and trays)
Aluminum foil, pie plates, frozen food trays.
✅ Empty and free from food residue.
By recycling, you make a difference.
Your recyclables – once collected, sorted and processed – can be used again and again, coming back into your home as another product or packaging!
By recycling, you help protect our environment and conserve our planet’s natural resources.
Starting November 1st, Circular Materials will be taking the lead in managing the residential recycling program in Whitehorse. This transition brings fresh opportunities to enhance our community’s ongoing commitment to sustainable practices. R
We’re here to ensure a smooth transition, so there’s nothing you need to do—just keep recycling as usual! Stay tuned for more updates and thank you for helping keep the Yukon green!
Additionally, Circular Materials is launching a Recycling App in the Yukon where residents can get recycling collection reminders, recycling guides and service alerts specific to their community.
In 2027, Circular Materials will introduce a standardized list of materials to make recycling consistent throughout the territory.
You won’t notice any difference in your curbside recycling. Your blue bin program will continue as usual with services provided by Whitehorse Blue Bin.
The last day of operation for the City’s temporary recycling depot at the Waste Management Facility will be Friday, October 31, after which it will be closed permanently.
As of November 1, 2025, residents will be able to take their recycling to the Raven ReCentre recycling depot.
100 Galena Road
Whitehorse, Yukon
Y1A 2W6
In 2024, the Yukon Government approved the Circular Materials Stewardship Plan which outlines the EPR program for packaging and paper products in the territory.
The EPR regulations in the Yukon territory shift the financial and operational responsibility for recycling from local governments to the organizations that produce and sell packaging and paper.
Historically, the Yukon’s recycling programs were operated by communities who were responsible for paying the full costs of the program. Now, under the EPR regulation, the Yukon is transitioning to a new model where producers – the organizations that produce the products and packaging – are 100% responsible for operating and funding the program.
There will be no change to the way that you recycle. Curbside and depot recycling programs will remain the same.
Yukon residents can visit circularmaterials.ca/yt to learn more about recycling in their community. Additionally, Circular Materials is launching the Circular Materials Recycling App in the Yukon where residents can get recycling collection reminders, recycling guides and service alerts.
Additional materials such as foam packaging, glass containers, flexible plastic packaging and aerosol containers will be added to the collection system in 2027.
Circular Materials is a national not-for-profit organization that is committed to building an efficient and effective recycling system in the Yukon. Circular Materials is committed to delivering a best-in-class system that continues to deliver recycling services and supports residents.
As the Yukon transitions to a new recycling system, some materials will be included in future phases of the EPR program. Additional materials such as foam packaging, glass containers, flexible plastic packaging and aerosol containers will be added to the collection system in 2027.
These materials will be added in 2027 because upgrades are needed to the current infrastructure to process and recycle these materials effectively to sell to end markets.
We will continue to work with partners to enhance existing infrastructure and build on ways to innovate.
Each material follows a specific pathway designed to maximize its reuse. Materials collected in recycling programs can be used to make new packaging. The goal of transitioning to EPR is to enhance this, as recycling programs founded on the principles of extended producer responsibility improve recycling rates and encourage the more efficient use of materials.
We have strong internal frameworks that guide the marketing and sale of materials to end markets to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability and strong environmental outcomes.
