Extended Producer Responsibility

Starting October 1, 2026, phase two of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) begins, and new recycling materials will be accepted province-wide. 

New materials accepted include: 

  • Flexible plastic and films (chip bags, toothpaste, pet food bags and bubble wrap) 
  • Empty aerosol containers (cooking spray, perfume, hair spray, deodorant and shaving cream) 
  • Foam packaging (meat trays, take out containers, and foam packaging) 
  • Paper laminates (coffee cups and ice cream containers)

The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiative shifts the cost of recycling materials like single-use products, packaging and paper products (PPP), batteries and hazardous and special products (HSP) away from municipalities and utility rate payers to the producers and manufacturers who supply those products into the marketplace.

Phase 2 begins October 1, new items accepted for recycling province-wide.  All multi-unit buildings need to have three-stream collection (waste, recycling and organics). For more information visit Multi-unit collection.

How do the EPR changes affect St. Albert?

  • The new EPR regulation requires the producer to provide a common collection system at no charge to multiple unit residential developments starting on October 1, 2026. If your multi-unit complex has not registered yet, you should register on the Circular Materials website.
  • The new Bylaw No. 17/2018 - Residential Solid Waste Management requires all multiple unit residential developments to have three waste streams starting October 1, 2026.
  • All residents who receive recycling collection from the City have seen a decrease in their recycling flat rate in 2026. The fee in 2026 is $0.31 compared to $1.40 in 2025 and $6.54 in 2024.
    See current rates

What is impacted by EPR?

  • Recycling (items accepted in your blue bag)
  • Household hazardous waste (batteries, pesticides, flammables, etc.)
  • EPR does not always mean recycling. Material may be recycled, downcycled or chemically recycled.
  • Under Alberta’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework managed by Circular Materials, a unified and harmonized single-stream list of accepted residential packaging and paper products is being rolled out across the province. Residents can place all designated items together into a single blue bin/bag without sorting. Regardless of what municipality you are in Alberta, the list of acceptable items in residential recycling programs will be the same.
  • Alberta’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework applies exclusively to the residential sector. Industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) waste streams are entirely excluded from these regulations.
     

The producers of these materials work together with Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) to coordinate and fund recycling collection, drop off and processing services for residents, instead of the residents funding them through the waste utility.

What are Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs)?

The PROs organize and oversee the collection and processing of these materials and report to the Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA) on behalf of the producers. ARMA oversees recycling in Alberta and are responsible for ensuring producer compliance.

The PROs operating in St. Albert include:

Where can I learn more about EPR?

You can learn more about EPR on Alberta Recycling in Alberta | Circular Materials

Related Pages

Blue recycling bag at the end of the driveway Recycling ›
Be Waste Wise app. Be Waste Wise App ›

Last edited: September 28, 2026

Return to the top ↑