Curbside recycling in several Lake Babine Nation communities is looking to keep working into the future.
The First Nation first started looking into starting a recycling program in 2023, and secured funding through the Indigenous Zero Waste Technical Advisory Group.
Staff training started in 2024.
“We weren’t too sure what we were getting ourselves into but they put us into training to get this program going,” said Yvette Guenther, Capital and Infrastructure Assistant.
Recycling pickup started in March 2025 with service running through Woyenne, Tachet, and Wit’at. (Fort Babine)
Guenther said there was an initial learning curve for residents learning how to sort their recycling for pickup with most getting used to it within a month.
Collection in Woyenne runs four days a week with Wit’at and Tachet each running once a week.
“Recently, we picked up the Ts’il Kaz Koh reserve to service their community from Woyenne,” Guenther said.
She added residents have stated garbage amounts have been cut in half with the recycling program with some having cut back to one bag a week.
Along with usual recyclable items like cardboard, beverage containers, and other paper products, the program accepts appliances like stoves and microwaves, batteries, oil, and bed mattresses.
Guenther said the First Nation is looking at expanding the program to Donald’s Landing, with the Cheslatta Carrier Nation also looking at starting its own recycling program.
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