The sign outside the Yukon Chamber of Commerce. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW.
Whitehorse, YT – The Yukon Chamber of Commerce (YCC) is urging immediate government action as some businesses grapple with unexpected costs from the early imposition of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees ahead of the program’s official 2025 rollout.
The EPR program aims to shift recycling costs from taxpayers to Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs).
ALX Exploration Services reports that Interchange Recycling, one of their PROs, has begun charging “environmental handling fees” without an approved stewardship plan.
YCC Executive Director Luke Pantin criticized the premature fees, calling for clearer guidance and stronger oversight from the government.
In an open letter to Highways and Public Works Minister Nils Clarke, ALX President Alan Lebedoff argued that the government’s regulatory framework enabled these early fees.
“While you are correct that the decision to implement these fees earlier than advertised was not strictly a decision of your government, this response is both disingenuous and ignores the role your government has played in this situation.”
The Yukon Government states that Interchange Recycling’s fees are privately determined and not regulated by the government.
They added that Interchange Recycling’s fees are intended to help develop a stewardship plan and that consultation with businesses occurred between November 2022 and February 2023.
The government has pledged to reach out to ALX Exploration Services to address their concerns directly.
