EPR recycling changes

As part of Alberta’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, starting October 1, Strathcona residents will be able to recycle more materials in their blue bags and at the County's recycle stations.

The EPR program shifts the responsibility of collecting, sorting, and processing recycling away from municipal governments and taxpayers to the producers. The EPR program will also eventually standardize recyclable materials throughout Alberta.

For Strathcona County residents that means that more materials will be accepted in your blue bags, including hot and cold drink cups, flexible plastic packaging, glass and foam meat trays and take out containers.  

Key highlights of the EPR program include: 

• More accepted materials: 

  • Glass containers (new to curbside)

  • Flexible and film plastics such as shopping bags, food packaging, bubble wrap, plastic mailers and overwrap

  • Foam packaging, including meat trays and takeout containers

  • Laminated paper containers such as hot and cold beverage cups and ice cream containers

• Streamlined recycling: Recycling stations are also changing to commingled recycle bins so residents no longer have to sort all of their recycling before drop off

• Cost savings: lower municipal costs for waste management, which means residents receive a $3.75 monthly credit on their bill.

• Better for the environment: Encourages producers to design eco-friendly, recyclable products and promotes circular economy principles.

What is Extended Producer Responsibility?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental and economic policy approach in which producers of products and packaging bear responsibility for ensuring those products and packages are properly managed at the end of their life cycle. EPR shifts decision making to producers.

EPR is intended to encourage produces to make less packaging, and to make it from more recyclable materials. The goal of the EPR program is to eventually standardize recyclable materials throughout Alberta, so more changes are expected as the program fully rolls out. 

To learn more, visit Circular Materials.

Acceptable materials

Containers must be empty and rinsed. You can also search items using our Waste Wizard.

Collection day guidelines

• Recycling is collected every week in clear blue plastic bags

• You can put out unlimited bags for collection, but each bag must be under 25 kg (50 lb)

• Containers placed in recycling must be clean and free of food, liquids and dirt

• Cardboard must be flattened and each piece must be 2 feet by 3 feet or smaller; cardboard can go inside the bag or be stacked beside or under the rest of your recycling

• Cardboard that cannot be cut or folded can be brought to a recycling station

• Mix heavier and lighter materials to prevent light bags from blowing away

• Crush or squish containers to fit more materials into one bag

Although not recommended, you can use reusable containers to collect recyclables, but they must meet the guidelines in Bylaw 39-2014, in terms of type, size and weight. 

• Containers and contents must weigh less than 25 kg (50 lbs)

• Containers must be between 46 cm (18") tall and 76 cm (30") tall

• Containers must have proper handles for lifting

• Be made of plastic, metal, or other impermeable material

• Be in good condition/repair

• Strathcona County and its contractors are not responsible for loss of, or damage to, recycling containers

Why use blue bags?

• Cleaner neighbourhoods: blue bags keep recycling contained, so it does not end up all over your street on windy days or if your recycling is accidentally dumped when being collected.

• Keeps utility fees down: contaminated recycling leads to higher processing costs, which increases utility fees. Blue bags are see-through, so collectors can quickly scan the contents for contaminants such as waste or organics.

• Keeps our collectors safe: blue bags are easier for collectors to handle. They can easily toss the bag into the recycling truck.

• Efficient service: blue bags are easier to spot than transparent bags, especially in winter.

Recycling stations

Strathcona County has three sites where recycling can be dropped off:

• Broadview Enviroservice Station is located within Sherwood Park

• Ardrossan is located in the hamlet of Ardrossan

• South Cooking Lake holds week-long recycling events beginning the last weekend of the month