New materials accepted under Alberta's EPR recycling program starting Oct. 1, 2026

Sept. 3, 2026 / For Immediate Release

AIRDRIE, AB – Residents will soon be able to recycle more materials, through the blue cart recycling program and at the Airdrie Recycle Depot, as the Province transitions to the next phase of Alberta's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework.

EPR shifts responsibility for recycling packaging and paper products from residents and municipalities to the producers that create them.

"Extended Producer Responsibility is creating a more consistent recycling system across Alberta," said Mayor Spearman. "EPR is designed to make recycling easier for residents while supporting a more responsible approach to managing packaging waste. Since April, Circular Materials has managed Airdrie's blue cart recycling program and, beginning Oct. 1, will also assume responsibility for paper, plastic and packaging recycling streams at the Recycle Depot. Household hazardous waste, beverage containers, batteries, electronics, used oil and container, textiles and books will continue to be managed by City staff."

Beginning Oct.1, 2026, several new materials will be accepted in residential blue carts and at the Airdrie Recycle Depot, helping divert more waste from landfill.

"While some of the newly accepted materials were already recycled in Airdrie, others were wish-cycled (commonly placed in recycling carts even though they weren't accepted)," said Holly Basiuk, Waste and Recycling Education Advisor. "Some of the most notable items that you can now put in your blue cart are foam packaging, like clean meat trays and takeout containers. Residents can also continue to recycle takeout coffee cups, which has long been a source of confusion. Other newly accepted materials include mixed-material packaging, such as chip cans, non-stretchy plastic bags like cereal liner bags and single-use plastics such as coffee cup lids. As accepted materials continue to evolve under Alberta's EPR program, residents are encouraged to visit circularmaterials.ca/Airdrie to learn what belongs in their blue cart and where to properly recycle other items."

Council previously approved measures to ensure residents benefit from the savings generated through EPR. At the May 6, 2025 meeting, Council approved a utility rate reduction that passes a portion of the program savings on to residents. These savings were also incorporated through the implementation of the black cart program, helping residents benefit from the transition to producer-funded recycling.

For more information about accepted recycling materials and upcoming changes to the blue cart program, visit circularmaterials.ca/Airdrie

Circular Materials has contracted GFL Environmental to manage the blue cart recycling program in Airdrie.
Residents should contact GFL Environmental for:

• Missed blue cart collections
• Cart repairs or replacements
• Blue cart delivery for new homes

GFL Environmental
Phone: 780.444.8805
Email: GFLresidentialrecycle@gflenv.com

Circular Materials
Phone: 1.877.667.2626
Email: customerservice@circularmaterials.ca

Questions regarding Airdrie’s Recycle Depot, green organics carts or black garbage carts should continue to be directed to the City at 311.