Interchange Recycling expands into Yukon with EPR stewardship plan

Interchange Recycling, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the collection and recycling of used motor oil, oil filters, oil containers, used antifreeze, and antifreeze containers, will expand into the Yukon starting August 1, 2025. A new permanent collection site will accept lubricating oil, antifreeze, diesel exhaust fluid, oil filters, and all automotive containers from Yukon residents and will be located in Whitehorse. 

Interchange Recycling will also facilitate collection events outside of Whitehorse to reach additional residents across the territory. This marks the company's first expansion beyond British Columbia, bringing its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program to a new jurisdiction. 

Expanded recycling efforts in Yukon 

Yukon is actively enhancing its recycling infrastructure and has set targets to reduce per capita waste generation by 10 percent by 2030 (compared to 2020 levels) and to increase waste diversion from landfills to 40 percent by 2025.

Specific guidelines for the Interchange Recycling Yukon program, including how to properly store used products before bringing them to a recycling centre or event, will be shared this summer. 

As part of Interchange Recycling's mandate to enhance recycling efforts of new automotive and industrial products, the organization's product scope has expanded in Yukon to include all automotive containers and diesel exhaust fluid, alongside lubricating oil, oil filters, and antifreeze. On average, nearly 50 million litres of used oil are collected annually in British Columbia alone, highlighting the impact of effective recycling programs.

Used oil is a valuable resource and if it is collected and recycled properly, it can be recovered and reused. Used oil can be re-refined into new lubricating oil or material inputs for manufacturing or energy products. Additionally, used oil filters contain metal, which is recycled into metal products like rebar, nails, and wire. Used oil and antifreeze containers are recycled to manufacture new oil containers, drainage tiles, and parking curbs. Used antifreeze is refined and reused as new automotive antifreeze. 

Interchange Recycling shares an EPR milestone in Yukon

"Our Extended Producer Responsibility Stewardship Plan was among one of the first EPR programs to be approved by the Yukon Environment Protection and Assessment Branch," said Jenn Robson, director of operations, Interchange Recycling. 

"This approval marks a significant milestone for EPR in Yukon and reinforces a shared commitment to responsible product management and environmental sustainability. We've had a lot of success over the past two decades with our program in British Columbia, and we've been working hard alongside our local Yukon partners to establish this convenient collection service so that businesses, consumers, and industry stakeholders all have a clear and accessible recycling option for lubricating oil, antifreeze, diesel exhaust fluid, oil filters, and automotive containers. Together, we're keeping these materials out of landfills and processing them in an environmentally friendly manner."

Interchange Recycling would like to acknowledge that its head office in Victoria, B.C.,  is located on the traditional territory of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations and Coast Salish people.