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KUGLUKTUK/COPPERMINE - In July, Kugluktuk became the first community in the Kitikmeot region to start a beverage container recycling program.

From left, Justine Himiak, Dana Kadlum, Tyson Klengenberg and Evan Kadlum help out the new recycling program in Kugluktuk. - photo courtesy of Naomi Tremblay

The project follows on the success of similar programs in Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet that have resulted in the diversion of more than half a million beverage containers from landfills.

Together, these three pioneering communities are helping to pave the way for the development of legislation to support a Nunavut-wide recycling plan.

"These communities were chosen because of their size and their willingness to take part in the project," said Jamessee Moulton with the Department of Environment. "At present, our goals are to prepare appropriate legislation that will allow us to move forward with a Nunavut recycling plan."

In Kugluktuk, the difference in the amount of garbage is apparent after only a few months of the program.

"I have a family of seven and we've gone from probably a full garbage bag a day to a bag every three days," said mayor Derrick Power.

"(The hamlet) probably has half a sea can of things collected already."

Every Tuesday and Friday between 1 and 5 p.m., residents of Kugluktuk now take their beverage containers to the Four Bay Garage where they receive an invoice for the amount of recyclables they turn in, at five cents a container. They can cash in their invoice at the hamlet office.

A couple weeks ago, Grade 3 teacher Lori Rudyk took her class to the recycling drop-off station with containers they had brought from home.

It was an educational opportunity for the students, as well as a chance to fundraise for class activities.

"After the kids saw you could get cash, they were picking up stuff on the way back to the school," said Rudyk, who had been recycling in the classroom even before the program was in place.

"It seems like everyone is stepping on board... I'm really excited that the hamlet has been able to get this going."

While the response to programs in Rankin Inlet, Iqaluit and Kugluktuk is encouraging, there are a number of challenges that the department and participating hamlets have to face in implementing recycling plans.

First, there's the issue of transporting the collected recyclables out of the communities.

"Since there are no companies that currently recycle within Nunavut, all the material must be shipped south," said Moulton. "(As) the only options for transportation are boat or plane, this increases the cost significantly.

"At present the program is fully funded by the GN, and it will be until proper legislation can be established similar to other regions of Canada."

There is also the issue of extended producer responsibility. Companies ship large amounts of material into the North, but are not accountable for shipping out all the packaging that remains.

And while public education on recycling is still being developed, it is always a challenge to change the way people think about the waste they produce.

"Very few people see their trash as a resource," said Moulton. "They don't realize how much money can be made by saving their cans."