Residents in Haines Junction, Yukon, are adjusting to new operating hours at the Haines Junction Waste Management Facility and Recycle Centre that took effect on January 2, 2026. The landfill and outside recycling bins now operate five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The Village of Haines Junction said the schedule change is intended to address limited staff capacity and health and safety concerns. High‑touch services are on restricted weekend schedules: Refundables operates Wednesday–Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and the community Free Store is open Friday–Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The municipality’s notice also establishes a statutory‑holiday rule: the facility will be closed on statutory holidays, and if a statutory holiday falls on a Monday or Tuesday (days when the site is normally closed), the facility will also remain closed on the following Wednesday.
The changes are part of the Haines Junction Solid Waste Management Plan 2023–2033 (YESAB Project 2023‑0169) and related municipal bylaws and budgets, which call for adjustments to operations — including reduced hours and user‑pay measures — to help fund infrastructure upgrades such as improved fencing and sorting stations. Safety concerns previously reported in 2024, including the temporary closure of the Free Store after hazardous drug‑related items were found, form part of the background context for the policy changes.
For full details on hours, holiday rules and specific service times, see the Village of Haines Junction’s waste management page.
