CALGARY — Calgarians can now recycle more packaging materials in their blue carts, and community recycling depots with the expansion of Alberta’s residential recycling programs under its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations.
“For Calgarians, recycling is part of everyday life, and this change means more of the packaging residents use can now be recycled through the city’s residential recycling system,” said Sharon Howland, leader, program management, waste & recycling services.
“It’s a practical improvement that makes recycling easier and more convenient for households across the city while supporting a more consistent recycling system across Alberta.”
The expanded program means more opportunities to recycle household packaging that previously belonged in the garbage.
Blue carts can now be used to get rid of: Foam packaging such as foam blocks, takeout containers and egg cartons; food and body aerosols such as cooking spray, sunscreen and hairspray; flexible plastic bags and wrappers such as chip bags and granola bar wrappers, and; tubes such as toothpaste and deodorant containers.
Howland advises all materials should be empty, clean and loose before being placed in blue carts so they can be sorted and recycled.
“Empty containers of liquids and food residue,” she says. “Clean containers by rinsing or wiping them out and place recyclables loose in the cart, not in bags.”
There will not be any changes to the blue cart pick up schedule, nor will Calgarians see any changes to their ENMAX bills, adds Howland.
“Through Alberta's EPR framework, producers are taking on most of the costs of residential recycling,” ashe says. “As a result, the city's blue cart fee for single-family households was reduced on April 1, 2025, saving households $7.17 annually.”
The expanded program applies to both single-family households and multi-family properties.
Multi-family property managers and condo boards can register with Circular Materials to access free recycling collection services and the expanded list of accepted materials.
Learn more about the new recycling program and view the complete list of accepted materials at calgary.ca/recyclemore or contact 311 for assistance.