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EPR recycling changes
On April 1, 2025, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program will go into effect in Strathcona County.
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 plastic clamshells and takeout containers will once again be accepted for recycling in the blue bags at curbside, and at the recycling depots at Broadview, Ardrossan and South Cooking Lake. Â
Additionally, residents who subscribe to the County's waste collection services will see a $3.75 monthly credit on their utility bill.
Key highlights of the EPR program include:Â
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More plastic recycling:Â
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plastic clamshell containers and plastic takeout containersÂ
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plastic package inserts (eg. for cookies and chocolates)
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individual yogurt, pudding and fruit cupsÂ
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plastic plant pots
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plastic lids can also be recycled now too, just leave them on their containers
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Cost savings: Reduced municipal costs for waste management, which means residents will receive a $3.75 monthly credit on their bills.Â
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Better for the environment: Encouraging producers to design eco-friendly, recyclable products and promoting 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.Â
What will change with my blue bag on April 1?Â
Plastic clamshells and takeout containers will once again be accepted for recycling in the blue bags at curbside, and at the recycling depots at Broadview, Ardrossan and South Cooking Lake.Â
Why can’t I recycle all packaging?Â
EPR is intended to encourage produces to make less packaging, and to make it from more recyclable materials. But big change takes time. Over the coming years we expect to see more and more packaging transition to recyclable materials. Â
If producers are now responsible for recycling, does that mean my bill will go down?Â
Yes! EPR will result in reduced municipal costs for waste management, meaning residents will see a $3.75 monthly credit on their utility bill starting in April.
Will the County still be involved in recycling collection?Â
Yes, Strathcona County will continue to provide curbside recycling collection services, community recycling depots and the Broadview Enviroservice station.Â
Learn more about Alberta's EPR policy.
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Recycling and collection day guidelines
Recycling is collected every week.
- Recycling goes into clear blue plastic bags
- There is no limit to the amount of blue bags you can leave out for collection
- Ensure that all broken glass and sharps are wrapped and placed in your black cart
- Keep your blue bag 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
- Shredded paper is not recyclable, please place it in your green organics cart
Although not recommended, using reusable containers to collect recyclables must meet the guidelines in Bylaw 39-2014, in terms of type, size and weight.Â
- 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
Why use clear blue bags for recycling?
- 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:Â blue bags are easier for collectors to handle. They can easily toss the bag into the recycling truck.
- Efficient service:Â blue bags are easier to spot than transparent bags, especially in winter.
Acceptable materials
Containers must be cleaned, dried and emptied. For plastic containers, leave the lids on so they're recycled together. Our recyclables currently go to a local materials recovery facility. You can also search items using the waste wizard.
| Aluminum cans        | Detergent bottles (cleaned)              | Office paper |
| Aluminum containers (clean and in original shape)                      | Detergent boxes (emptied) | Paper bags |
| Aluminum pie plates (clean and in original shape) | Envelopes | Paper egg cartons |
| Books (covers removed) Â | Flyer inserts | Paper plates (cleaned) |
| Boxboard | Glossy paper | Phone books (covers removed)                 |
| Cardboard (flattened) | Greeting cards (decorations removed) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | Pop bottles (no caps) |
| Catalogues | Ice cream pails (no lids) | Post-It notes |
| Cereal boxes | Large yogurt containers (no lids)                              |
Shampoo bottles (no lids) Â Â Â Â Â |
| Cookie or cracker boxes | Shoe boxes | |
| Coloured paper | Margarine containers (no lids) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â |
Textbooks (covers removed) |
| Computer paper | Medicine bottles | Tin cans |
| Condiment bottles (no lids) | Milk cartons | Tissue boxes |
| Corrugated cardboard | Milk jugs (no lids) | Wrapping paper (no foil) |
| Craft paper | Newspaper | Plastic clamshell and takeout containers |
Recycling stations
Strathcona County has two recycling stations and monthly rural recycling events. Broadview Enviroservice Station is located within Sherwood Park and there is a permanent station at Ardrossan, and monthly rural recycling events at South Cooking Lake.
Videos
Help keep our collectors safe!
Collectors work hard to make sure your recycling is picked up. Help them reduce their chances of injury by following these tips:
- Keep blue bags of recycling 25 kg (50 lbs) and under
- Broken glass and other sharp materials go in your black waste cart
- Securely tie your blue bagsÂ
More information
Utilities
Phone: 780-449-5514
greenroutine@strathcona.ca
