In general, you can recycle paper, cardboard, metal cans and plastics #1 through 7. This includes:

• Newspaper
• Magazines
• Mixed paper - e.g. office paper, junk mail, envelopes and flyers
• Telephone books
• Corrugated cardboard
• Boxboard - e.g. cereal boxes, shoe boxes and tissue boxes
• Number 1 to 7 plastic containers and lids - e.g. yogurt cups, detergent containers, food platter trays, and plant pots
• Metal cans

Unacceptable items: Glass bottles and jars are not accepted in Blue Carts. When Blue Carts are emptied into the collection truck, glass is broken into small pieces that cannot be recovered at the sorting facility. Instead, recycle glass bottles and jars at a recycling drop-off depot.

1. Store your carts where it is most convenient for you, like in your yard or garage.
2. Write your address on the white area on the side of your carts.
3. Review what goes inside each cart.
4. Set the appropriate carts out on your pick-up day.
5. Once your Green Cart is full, extra yard waste that does not fit in your cart can be set out along with the full Green Cart, according to the extra yard waste pickup guidelines.
6. Return the carts back to your property after collection.
7. Periodically rinse your carts to help keep them tidy.

1. Flatten and break down boxes to save space.
2. Empty and rinse containers. 
3. Flatten larger cans and plastic containers to save space.
4. DO NOT put your recycling in a clear blue plastic bag or a plastic grocery bag.

There is only one charge on your utility bill that covers Green, Blue and Black Cart collection services. The amount is determined by the size of Black Cart selected only. Your Green, Blue and Black Cart do not need to be the same size. 

Small: 120 litres - holds 2 blue boxes of recycling or 1 ½ regular garbage bags Monthly utility rate if you select a 120 litre Black Cart: $16.30
Medium: 240 litres - holds 4 blue boxes of recycling or 3 regular garbage bags Monthly utility rate if you select a 240 litre Black Cart: $21.05
Extra Large: 360 litres - holds 6 blue boxes of recycling or 4 ½ garbage bags Monthly utility rate if you select a 360 litre Black Cart: $28.30

Residents may request a different Blue or Black Cart size. Residents cannot request a different Green Cart size because Green Cart sizes are based on lot size.

A $57.10 Cart Exchange Fee will be charged when residents request a cart size change. The exchange fee may be waived if residents request an exchange at the time of, or shortly after opening a new utility account when the carts assigned to the property do not meet the needs of their household.

Cart exchange requests can be made by phoning the Blue Line at 403-340-BLUE (2583) or by email at carts@reddeer.ca.

Yes, the weight of the cart and the material in the cart must not exceed 45 kg (100 lbs.) for a small cart, 90 kg (200 lbs.) for a medium cart of 115 (250 kg (250 lbs.) for an extra-large cart.

If you can easily roll your cart, it is likely not overweight. If your cart is too heavy, remove some material and save it for your next collection day. If you are putting heavy material in your cart such as apples that have fallen from your trees or wet leaves in the spring, you may want to fill your cart only half full.

In the past the cost of collecting, sorting and processing recycling was the responsibility of municipalities, and the cost was passed on to residents. This changed on April 1, 2025, with the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The cost of recycling is now the responsibility of the producers (manufacturers) that put paper and packaging products (PPP) into the marketplace. It may be called PPP in the legislation but is the same items the City of Red Deer calls recycling.

Residents will see no change in their cart collection schedule, what is accepted in their Blue Carts, or what is accepted at the Recycling Drop-of Depots. The only change residents will see is a lower cart collection utility rate.

Cart User Guide (pdf)
What Goes Where brochure (pdf)