Interchange Recycling to begin oil collection in Yukon

Colton Jorgenson, facility coordinator, at the Whitehorse collection site.

Source: Waste & Recycling Magazine

Written by: Emily Atkins

Interchange Recycling, a not-for-profit organization that collects and recycles used motor oil, oil filters, oil containers, used antifreeze and antifreeze containers, is expanding to Yukon, starting August 1, 2025. This marks Interchange Recycling’s first expansion beyond British Columbia, bringing its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program to a new jurisdiction. 

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 at 91972 Alaska Highway, Whitehorse. Interchange Recycling will also be facilitating collection events outside of Whitehorse in order to reach additional residents across the territory.

“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.”

Yukon is enhancing its recycling infrastructure and has set targets to reduce per capita waste generation by 10% by 2030 (compared to 2020 levels) and to increase waste diversion from landfills to 40% 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. For initial information on how the recycling and drop off process works, visit https://interchangerecycling.com/how-it-works. 

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 each year in British Columbia alone, highlighting the impact of effective recycling programs.

“We want to make drop-off as convenient and seamless as possible for Whitehorse residents and will be actively listening to their feedback as we kick-off the program,” Robson said. “Our collection events outside of Whitehorse will ensure that Yukon residents who live outside of Whitehorse are able to access the program. Our EPR program in this territory will be safe and easy to use, ensuring the proper disposal of materials, preventing pollution, reducing waste, and supporting a circular economy. It will also create jobs in recycling and waste management, while helping businesses and the Yukon government get a step closer to their per capita waste reduction goals and increase waste diversion from landfills.”

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 and used to manufacture new oil containers, drainage tiles, and parking curbs. Used antifreeze is refined and reused as new automotive antifreeze. 

Formed in 2003, Interchange Recycling (previously BC Used Oil Management Association) collects and manages approximately 50 million litres of oil, and three million litres of antifreeze through its network of public recycling centres and generators across the province. Assisted by manufacturers and first sellers of oil and antifreeze products, Interchange Recycling’s goal is to provide all British Columbians with a convenient, free, and eco-friendly way to recycle program materials.