Effective August 11, 2016, the Province of Yukon, Canada is expanding and complicating the scope of its beverage container regulations.
By way of background, Canadian provincial beverage rules usually provide a distinction between beverage containers greater than 1 liter (L) and those less than a liter. For example, in Alberta, most plastic containers are subject to deposits of $0.10 per bottle for containers 1L or less, but $0.25 per bottle for containers greater than 1L. In British Columbia, plastic containers 1L or less are subject to $0.05 deposit and those greater than 1L is subject to $0.20 deposit.
Yukon’s Existing Program
Yukon’s existing Beverage Container Recycling Program has a distinction between beverage containers 1L or less and those larger than 1L. Those containers that are 1L or less is subject to a deposit of $0.10 and those that are larger than 1L is subject to a deposit of $0.35 per container. This distinction in size is the same as the rest of the Canadian provinces and has been simpler to keep track.
The existing Beverage Container Recycling Program also does not include containers for milk and milk substitutes like soy milk and drinkable yogurt.
Yukon’s New Beverage Container Recycling Program
Effective August 11, 2016, Yukon’s new program will make a distinction between container sizes of 750mL and larger and those that are less than 750mL. Those that are 750mL and larger will be subject to the $0.35 deposit and those that are less than 730mL will be subject to the $0.10 deposit.
Yukon’s new beverage container regulations will also be expanded to include containers from milk, almond/oat milk, and soy milk. These containers will be subject to deposit of $0.10. According to the regulations, “milk” includes flavoured and unflavoured milk, liquid milk product, such as cream, buttermilk, eggnog, or other similar liquid milk product, and rice, soy, almond, or coconut milk.
These added complications require close attention to ensure that the new Yukon fees are correctly captured by retailers come August.
For more information, please see “Easy for you, easy for the environment,” published by the Yukon Department of Community Services: http://www.community.gov.yk.ca/cd/recycling.html. Stick with Sovos for more updates and sign up to our blog to have them delivered right to your inbox.
