Canada/Home collection of recycled waste begins in Whitehorse

Starting Tuesday, while a majority of Whitehorse residents will be able to take advantage of the city's new recycling collection system, many will still have to make their way to the drop-off center.

Eligible residents should all have received two blue bins and yellow plastic bags within the last few weeks to sort their recycling.

Only single-family homes or residences with a maximum of four units will be eligible for this service.

Collection will take place every two weeks, according to a schedule determined for each district of the city.

I think there will be a learning curve. It's a big transition, and it may take a little time for people to get used to the collection system, to know what's accepted and what's not," says Ira Webb, Co-Chief Waste Officer for the City of Whitehorse.

He encourages people to read the instructions that were distributed with the recycling bins and, when collecting, to make sure that the bins are 1 metre away from any obstacles.

Any items that are not properly sorted will not be collected, and the person will receive a note indicating why," he explains.

He also points out that the City will not accept polystyrene, soft plastic or glass containers. Glass and returnable bottles can, however, be dropped off at the Raven ReCentre.

If things are sorted properly from the outset, at the roadside, it makes our job easier in the end," says Fraser Lang, General Manager of Blue Bin recycle, the company in charge of collection.

He explains that all items are separated in the trucks to avoid contamination. The recycled items are then sent to processing centers in British Columbia and Alberta.

Producers' turn

The other piece of the puzzle, according to Ira Webb, is the implementation of the Yukon government's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy.

As is the case in other Canadian provinces, the aim is to oblige companies producing recyclable materials to take charge of their collection and management of the City's system.

One of the reasons why the City has set up its collection system is so that when producers take over the recycling program next year, they can continue, and the level of service has already been determined," explains Ira Webb.

So we're a sort of bridge between current needs and the EPR that's due to start next year," says Fraser Lang, General Manager of Blue Bin recycle.

Source: ici.radio-canada.ca/