Recycling - NEW!

Starting October 1, 2026 the Town's recycling program will be managed by Circular Materials

Starting October 1, 2026, the Town's recycling program will be managed by Circular Materials. Circular Materials, a national not-for-profit, responsible for Alberta's transition to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

Additionally, we will be receiving new curbside recycling services. More materials will be accepted for recycling at the curbside and depots across the province. The transition will introduce a more convenient, consistent, and effective recycling program - a change that will not only benefit people, but also the province.

About Alberta's transition to EPR

On October 3, 2022, the Alberta Extended Producer ResP-onsibilitY- Regulation was approved for single-use products, packaging, and paper products. Regulation and associated bylaws outline program requirements, targets and timeline.
The transition to this new framework began on April 1, 2025. Phase 2 of the transition will begin on October 1, 2026, where more materials will be introduced into the recycling program. This new system operated by Circular Materials represents the evolution from product stewardship to a more circular economy where materials are collected, recycled and used again as recycled content in new packaging and products.

About Circular Materials

Circular Materials is the not-for-profit producer responsibility organization responsible for implementing and managing the new extended producer responsibility (EPR) system in Alberta.

Alberta's Trasition to EPR FAQs

What can I expect during the transition?

Additional materials such as foam packaging, glass containers, flexible plastic packaging and aerosol containers will be added to the province's collection system starting on October 1, 2026. Residents will also be receiving new curbside recycling services, managed by Circular Materials through a third-party contractor.

Alberta residents can visit circularmaterials.ca/AB to learn more about recycling in their community. Additionally, Circular Materials is launching the Circular Materials Recycling App across the province where residents can get recycling collection reminders, recycling guides and service alerts.

What's happening to Alberta's recycling program?

In 2022, the Alberta government passed a new regulation which introduced an extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework for single-use packaging and paper products (PPP) in the province. EPR shifts the financial and operational responsibility of recycling programs to producers - those that produce and supply packaging and paper materials to residents. This includes the familiar brands and retailers Albertans interact with every day. This new approach to recycling means municipalities and taxpayers will no longer pay for recycling services as this cost will now be paid by producers.

EPR enables innovation, operational efficiencies, increased standard levels, and access to materials. It is recognized as one of the most effective mechanisms to improve recycling rates.

How does Circular Materials fit into this?

Circular Materials is a national not-for-profit organization that is committed to building an efficient and effective recycling system in Alberta. Circular Materials is committed to delivering a best-in-class system that continues to deliver recycling services and supports residents.

When does this transition begin?

The transition to this new framework began on April 1, 2025. Phase 2 of the transition will begin on October 1, 2026, when more materials will be introduced into the recycling program and new curbside recycling services will be added to eligible communities. This new program is operated by Circular Materials, a not-for-profit producer responsibility program that supports producers in meeting their EPR obligations in Alberta.

EPR represents the evolution from product stewardship to a more circular economy where materials are collected, recycled and used again as recycled content in new packaging and products.

What advantages are associated with this new system?

EPR is recognized as one of the most effective mechanisms to improve recycling rates and advance a circular economy where materials are collected, recycled, and returned to producers for use as recycled content in new packaging and products.

Additional benefits of EPR include:

Encouraging sustainable design: It encourages producers to design products that are easier to recycle, reuse, and repair.
Reducing landfill waste: By making producers responsible for the end-of-life management of their products, EPR helps divert significant amounts of waste from landfills.
Shifting financial responsibility: The cost of waste management is shifted from taxpayers and local governments to the producers who sell the products and packaging.
Boosting innovation: It drives innovation in recycling technologies and the development of markets for recycled materials.