Big Upgrades Are Coming

If you’ve ever stood over your recycling bin wondering what on earth to do with an empty aerosol can or a piece of styrofoam, we have some great news.

Starting October 1, 2026, the way we handle recycling in our community is getting a major upgrade. We are teaming up with a national not-for-profit called Circular Materials to manage our recycling program, and it’s going to make doing the right thing a whole lot easier for all of us.

Here is a quick breakdown of what to expect, what is changing, and why it is happening.

What’s changing at the curb?

The best part of this change? Convenience. We will be rolling out new curbside recycling services. Even better, we are expanding the list of what you can actually put in your bins.

Starting in October, you will finally be able to recycle:

• Glass containers

• Foam packaging (styrofoam)

• Flexible, soft plastics

• Aerosol containers

Why the sudden change?

It all comes down to a new provincial shift called Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

That sounds like a mouthful of government jargon, but the concept is actually brilliant and long overdue. For years, everyday taxpayers and municipalities have had to foot the bill to recycle the packaging that big brands and retailers create.

EPR flips the script. It shifts the financial and operational costs of recycling away from local taxpayers and puts it right back on the producers who make the packaging in the first place.

What does this mean for our community?

When the people who make the packaging have to pay to recycle it, good things happen. It encourages brands to design better, more sustainable packaging. It drives innovation. But mostly, on a local level, it diverts a massive amount of unnecessary waste away from our local landfill.

It's a huge step forward in protecting our shared future and keeping our beautiful corner of southern Alberta clean.

How to get ready

You don't need to do anything right this second—the big switch happens on October 1st.

However, to make the transition as smooth as possible, Circular Materials is launching a handy app. You'll be able to get collection day reminders, look up recycling guides on the fly, and get service alerts right to your phone.

We’ll share more details (and links to the app) as we get closer to the launch date. Until then, keep up the great work sorting your bins, and get ready for a much easier recycling routine this fall!