Extended Producer Responsibility is coming to Edmonton |
March 26, 2025
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the provincial framework which sets new standards for recycling and household hazardous waste streams across Alberta, comes into effect in Alberta on April 1. This policy is a fundamental shift in waste management, mandating that producers, and not municipalities such as the City of Edmonton, fund and account for the collection and processing of specific categories of waste.
As of April 1, decisions regarding service changes will be determined by Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) on behalf of the waste-producing organizations they represent. These could include changes to residential recycling collection, waste drop-off facilities and waste education and outreach programs. The City has been contracted by the PROs to provide collection and processing services. As a result, residents will continue to receive the high-quality recycling services they have come to expect while PROs cover the costs.
The City of Edmonton is working with three PROs to handle the following specified materials:
- Circular Materials for paper, packaging and plastic products
- Product Care Recycling for hazardous and special products
- Call2Recycle for batteries
While the framework will apply to recycling and household hazardous waste streams, food scraps and garbage waste will not be affected.
As of January, residents will have noticed a drop in their utility bill; the implementation of EPR has allowed the City to reduce the waste utility rate by 10.7 per cent for residents, resulting from the shift in responsibility from consumers to producers.
“Waste Services is pleased to partner with the provincial government and PROs to implement EPR in Edmonton in alignment with our City’s environmental and climate goals,” said Chris Fowler, Acting Branch Manager, Waste Services. “While we expect minimal changes for residents in the coming year, we are ready to provide any support they may need to ensure this is a smooth transition.”
The City will continue to be primarily responsible for communicating to residents about the service it provides on behalf of the PRO. This includes, but is not limited to, information about collection schedules and which items belong in each waste stream. Residents are encouraged to use familiar tools, like the WasteWise app and edmonton.ca/ExtendedProducerResponsibility for the most up-to-date information on any adjustments residents can expect.
Over the long term, this shift also means that decisions on any future changes to recycling and waste drop-off services will be made by PROs and not the City of Edmonton. The City looks forward to continuing to work with the PROs through any such changes to ensure residents are able to understand and abide by all relevant guidelines.
In Canada, each province manages its own recycling program, and nearly all jurisdictions have implemented some form of EPR. Alberta joins British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Quebec and Nova Scotia in ensuring producers are responsible for post-consumer recycling. |
For more information:
Media contact:
Marlee Uniat
Communications Advisor
City Operations
780-288-8348
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City of Edmonton Edmonton Tower, 10111 104 Avenue, Edmonton, T5J 0J4 Unsubscribe |
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