Dettah recycling centre

Waste Reduction and Recycling

Waste management in the north comes with a unique set of challenges. The GNWT is working hard to ensure residents have the same access to sustainable waste management resources and programs as the rest of the country. Together, we can build a future with less waste and high-quality recycling programs across our territory.

See when your community depot is open and how to contact them here.

What can I recycle?

If you live in Colville Lake, Délı̨nę, Fort Good Hope, Fort Resolution, Sambaa K’e, Paulatuk, Whatì – here is what you can recycle at the community depot:

  • Glass Bottles
  • Aluminum cans
  • Plastic bottles
  • Tetra packs/drink pouches (e.g. juice box)
  • Gable top containers (e.g. milk carton)
  • Bi-metal containers (e.g. tomato juice tin)

If you live in Behchoko, Fort McPherson, Fort Simpson, Wrigley, Tuktoyaktuk – you can ALSO recycle these items at your community depot:

  • Laptops
  • Tablets
  • Computers (including keyboards, mouse, cables and speakers)
  • Printers, copiers, scanners and fax machines
  • Televisions
  • Monitors
  • Batteries and cell phones (Call2Recycle)

If you live in Yellowknife, Hay River, Inuvik, Fort Smith, Fort Providence, Norman Wells, Dettah, Enterprise, Kakisa, K'atl'odeeche First Nation, N’dilǫ – you can recycle everything above PLUS these items at your nearest community depot: see the full list of over 500 items that can be recycled here

What if I don’t have a community depot?

If you don’t have a community depot or your depot only collects beverage containers, ECC will come to the community at least once every year (or as required) to run satellite depots.

Upcoming event details will be promoted within your community within 2 weeks of the satellite depot.

Contact ECC to find out when the next satellite depot will be in your community at rethinkitnwt@gov.nt.ca

Why is waste management important?

Our resources are too good to waste! We’re wasting resources that don’t belong in a landfill, as well as producing more products when we may not need to. Effective waste management means rethinking by reducing, reusing, refilling, repurposing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling by participating in the circular economy wherever possible.

What is the circular economy?

A circular economy means rethinking how we make and use products and services.  It starts by designing products and materials that are durable and last a long time, so they can be used over and over.  It means designing and manufacturing products that can easily be repaired, refurbished, and remanufactured when they break or need an upgrade.  Then, when a material or product can no longer be used, it means designing the product so that it can be easily and safely taken apart to be recycled so the resources that went into making the product can be recovered or returned to the earth. It means rethinking whether we need to own individual products or if we can instead borrow, rent, or lease what we need.  It means making decisions to help and improve our community and the land.