Alberta has launched a transformative Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system that shifts the financial burden of recycling from municipalities to the producers of packaging and paper products. This change is expected to save cities like Edmonton nearly $24 million annually, already reflected in a $5 monthly drop in waste utility fees for households. The program aims to reduce landfill waste, encourage sustainable packaging, and unify recycling rules across the province. Most municipalities joined the initiative on April 1, 2025, with the rest—including those launching recycling programs for the first time—set to join by 2026.
This system is modeled on successful examples in British Columbia, where EPR has been in place since 2014, achieving over 75% diversion rates for packaging waste. Similar programs across Europe, in countries like Germany and Belgium, boast recycling rates exceeding 80%. By aligning with these global best practices, Alberta’s EPR strategy is expected not only to save taxpayers millions but also to create a more sustainable, cost-efficient, and environmentally friendly recycling infrastructure for the long term. More