Government of Yukon
Archives
FOR RELEASE #08-075
March 31, 2008
Government Funds Support Recycling in Yukon
WHITEHORSE – As part of its continuing effort to encourage environmental stewardship in the territory, the Yukon government has provided almost $80,000 in funding support this year to enhance community recycling efforts, Environment Minister Dennis Fentie said.
“We are pleased to support community-based organizations that are doing their part for the environment, whether it’s recycling refundable or non-refundable products or promoting public awareness about how we can each do our part for the environment,” Fentie said.
Raven Recycling and Conservation Klondike Society are the latest recipients, in the 2007-08 fiscal year, of financial support from the government’s Recycling Fund, which helps registered recycling depots improve facilities and public dealing with refundable beverage containers.
Raven Recycling received $10,000 to construct a special counting table for its processing location in Whitehorse, which will help it improve efficiency and enable more accurate record keeping.
The Conservation Klondike Society received $2,272.76 for infrastructure upgrades to the Dawson City recycling depot, based in town.
A total of $18,565 from the Recycling Fund has been awarded in 2007-08 to support a number of projects in Mt. Lorne, Teslin and Faro.
In 2007-08, the government also provided $61,338 from its Waste Reduction and Recycling Initiative to recycling depots, municipalities and non-government organizations for projects that involve non-refundable recyclable materials. Grants were issued to the Town of Faro, the Town of Watson Lake, the Village of Teslin, the Ta’an Kwach’an Council and Raven Recycling.
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Backgrounder below:
| Contact: | |
| Matthew Grant Cabinet Communications (867) 633-7961 matthew.grant@gov.yk.ca |
Nancy Campbell Communications, Environment (867) 456-6794 nancy.campbell@gov.yk.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
GOVERNMENT FUNDS SUPPORT RECYCLING IN YUKON
Recycling Fund:
The Recycling Fund helps registered recycling depots improve facilities and public education dealing with refundable beverage containers. Depot improvements should be designed in a way that will result in higher return rates for refundable beverage containers. The fund encourages projects to involve community volunteers, public education and funding from other sources.
Recipients in the 2007-08 Fiscal Year:
• Conservation Klondike Society ~ $2,273 ~ Upgrade depot facilities
• Faro Woodwork – Bottle Depot ~ $178 ~ Purchase wire bag holders to help with sorting
• Mt. Lorne Garbage Management Society ~ $2,124 ~ Construct a roof over a secure, refundable storage area.
• Raven Recycling Society ~ $10,000 ~ Construct sorting table with built-in sensor array
• Village of Teslin ~ $3,990 ~ Construct efficient sorting table
Waste Reduction and Recycling Initiative (WRRI)
The WRRI provides grants to registered recycling depots, municipalities and non-government organizations for projects that involve non-refundable, recyclable materials. These materials include cardboard, mixed paper, electronics waste, compost, and oversized tires. The fund encourages projects to involve community volunteers, public education and funding from other sources.
Recipients in the 2007-08 Fiscal Year:
• Mt. Lorne Garbage Management Society ~ $3,841 ~ Enlarge compost pit, along with signage and education
• Raven Recycling Society ~ $15,000 ~ Purchase truck used by PaperSave collection program
• Ta’an Kwach’an Council ~ $5,000 ~ Rent equipment to help with garbage clean-up at old Range Road dump on McIntyre Creek
• Town of Faro ~ $10,347 ~ Purchase large containers for non-refundable material collection
• Town of Watson Lake ~ $4,973 ~ Construct new building for free exchange of useable household goods
• Village of Haines Junction ~ $8,480 ~ Purchase two trailers for collecting cardboard from businesses
• Village of Teslin ~ $11,678 ~ Construct new building to handle non-refundable materials gathered by blue bins
• Village of Teslin ~ $2,019 ~ Campaign to reduce use of plastic bags, includes purchase of canvas bags and public education