Starting Oct. 1, 2026, Red Deer residents will be able to place more consumer packaging in their recycling bins (multi-family homes) and Blue Carts (single-family homes) as Alberta enters the next phase of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
The expanded recycling program will accept:
- Aluminum trays and foil
- Deodorant, air freshener, hairspray and cooking oil aerosols
- Paper laminates like hot and cold beverage cups and ice-cream containers.
- Glass food and cosmetic containers
- Foam packaging like meat trays and take out containers
- Metal food cans
- Plastic bags and film packaging
- Plastic bottles and food containers
- Soup and broth cartons
- Flexible plastic packaging like chip packets and pet food bags
- Spiral food cans
- Stand-up plastic pouches
- Toothpaste and deodorant tubes
This means more items that currently go into garbage bins, and Black Carts can instead be recycled and diverted from the landfill starting Oct. 1. Until Oct. 1, residents are encouraged to continue sorting as usual. Newly accepted materials placed in recycling bins and Blue Carts before that date may contaminate recycling loads.
The transition is part of Alberta's move to an Extended Producer Responsibility system, where producers are responsible for funding residential recycling programs. Circular Materials, a national not-for-profit organization, will oversee the residential paper and packaging recycling program on behalf of producers in Alberta.
"This change makes it easier for Red Deer residents to keep more everyday packaging out of the garbage and, ultimately, the landfill," said Janet Cunningham, Waste Management Superintendent. "Residents are asked to continue sorting as usual until Oct. 1. Starting Oct. 1, place newly accepted materials in your recycling bin if you live in a multi-family dwelling and your Blue Cart if you live in a single-family home."
Residents should empty recyclable items and follow the preparation instructions for each material before placing them in a recycling bin or Blue Cart. Not everything is recyclable.
Items not accepted into the recycling program include:
- Aerosol containers for paint and household cleaner
- Batteries
- Books
- Broken household glass
- Ceramic dishes
- Hazardous waste
- Paper towel
- Parchment and waxed paper
- Plastic toys, dishes and cutlery
Collection schedules are not changing. Residents should continue setting out their cart or using their shared bin as usual.
Residents can review the full list of accepted materials, preparation instructions and frequently asked questions at reddeer.ca/EPR. When unsure, residents should check before they toss using The City of Red Deer’s sorting tool.
About Extended Producer Responsibility
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a provincial recycling framework that makes producers responsible for funding and managing the collection, sorting and recycling of paper and packaging products.
Starting Oct. 1, 2026, Alberta's residential recycling system will transition to a producer managed model intended to provide more consistent, accessible and effective recycling services across the province.
In this model, Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) work with producers to coordinate the collection, processing and recycling of materials. In Alberta, Circular Materials is the PRO responsible for overseeing residential paper and packaging recycling.
About Circular Materials
Circular Materials is a not-for-profit producer responsibility organization (PRO) that is responsible for managing Alberta’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) recycling program for packaging and paper products.
They support producers in meeting their EPR obligations across Canada. Circular Materials develops, implements and supports effective and efficient recycling programs to advance innovation, deliver improved environmental outcomes and drive value across the recycling supply chain. Together, they are advancing the circular economy where materials are collected, recycled and can be returned to producers for use as recycled content in new products and packaging. Learn more at https://www.circularmaterials.ca/.