The city’s recycling drop-off depot at the landfill will tentatively open in early September, and the plans still call for users to be charged fees. The exact amounts have not yet been revealed.

On July 8, the city released a request for tender to provide a depot service, with the tender process closing on July 29. The user fees will be determined once the procurement process is complete and the costs of the service are confirmed.

“The temporary depot will operate until a permanent depot is established under the Yukon government’s new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulation,” the city said Wednesday. 

“Depot services will be open to residential drop-offs only. Businesses and other commercial organizations should reach out to a private waste service provider to access recycling services.” 

The Raven Recycling Society plans to close its Industrial Road bins for such materials as cans, paper and plastics on Sept. 15.

The city is also working to establish a temporary curbside recycling program for households currently eligible for the city’s curbside waste service. Procurement for these services will begin in the coming weeks. 

Mayor Laura Cabott has indicated country residential areas will be excluded from the service, and that fees will apply.

“Details on program implementation, including service start dates and impacts on residential utility fees, will be announced once the procurement process is complete,” the city said Wednesday.

“Temporary fees to cover curbside pickup will only be in place until the start date of a new stewardship program under the new Yukon EPR Regulation. Multi-family unit residents not serviced by a curbside program can utilize the city’s interim depot or reach out to a private service provider to arrange collection.” 

Some residents have expressed confusion about why the city will still charge a fee. They have noted they’ve already paid their recycling fees upon purchasing at the store, spend time and energy to go through all the recyclable items, and will have to drive to the landfill depot in September.

The city has replied, “Recycling fees are only paid on refundable beverage containers. Most non-refundable packaging does not have a point-of-purchase recycling fee, so the cost of management of these materials must be recovered at disposal through a fee for service, as all waste services are provided on a full cost recovery basis, and not funded by taxes.”