Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister of ECC explain how the GNWT is diverting as much plastic from NWT landfills as possible under the current regime? Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Minister of ECC.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question. The GNWT currently has three waste diversion programs. The single use retail bag program, which was the first of its kind at the provincial/territorial level in Canada. Since the program's inception in 2010, it's estimated that we've prevented more than 84 million bags, or 422.1 tonnes, from being used and discarded. We also have the beverage container program, which on average diverts 141 tonnes of plastic waste each year. And plastic components of electronics and electrical items are returned through our electronic recycling program, and the e-pilot are also recycled. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And recognizing that this is a little bit of an overlap to MACA's jurisdiction, I hope the Minister can answer this. What is the GNWT doing to support municipalities on waste reduction and diversion? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the GNWT is committed to creating three to five new expanded regulated programs by 2030 as part of the waste reduction management strategy and implementation plan. To date, ECC has identified used oil, tires, and expanded suite of electronics and electrical items. These materials were chosen primarily because they're already segregated in landfills and have been identified for their environmental risk. Work to create regulations to enable the recycling of these materials to update existing regulations is underway and will be undertaken in the next several years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I guess more specifically to my statement earlier today, what is the GNWT doing to fully support Canada's zero waste plastic agenda? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on the national level, the GNWT endorses the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment's strategy on zero plastic waste, which aims to reduce the harmful environmental impacts of plastic waste. Canada has also played a key role in moving toward the development and adaptation of a United Nations plastics treaty, which this work is expected to wrap up at an international level in 2025. Once the UN plastics treaty is ratified, we anticipate that any outcomes and commitments will be incorporated into the future work of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment of which the GNWT is an active member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of ECC. Final supplementary. Member from Great Slave.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, you know, recognizing that this is a much bigger problem than just our jurisdiction, I appreciate that answer.
Finally, will the GNWT be able to enact extended producer responsibility regulations or policies in the life of this Assembly? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the last Legislative Assembly, the GNWT amended the Waste Reduction and Recovery Act to enable extended producer responsibility. Before the new Act can come into force, ECC will need to amend the existing beverage container regulations and the electronics recycling regulations so that these will be a priority over the next few years. The work is expected to be completed by 2026.
The GNWT is committed to creating programs for used oil, tires, and the expanded suite of electronics and electrical items. ECC will consider EPR approaches for all three programs that will engage with communities, residents, and stakeholders for their input on the proposed programs and regulations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of ECC. Oral questions. Member from Range Lake.
