Blue Bag Recycling

Reducing unacceptable items, or contamination, within the blue bags is the most impactful step in our recycling system. High contamination rates can prevent the sorting and processing of materials resulting in landfill disposal of otherwise recyclable material. This can also increase recycling costs  impacting utility rate payers and consumers, result in higher waste volumes and can increase our environmental footprint.

While previously not accepted for curbside recycling, glass containers are part of the expanded list of recycling materials accepted beginning October 1, 2026, as part of Phase 2 of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. The EPR program has allowed the standardization of recycling collection in Alberta and new sorting and recycling of materials that can now safely manage glass containers comingled in curbside recycling bags.

While previously not accepted for curbside recycling, foam packaging is part of the expanded list of recycling materials accepted beginning October 1, 2026, as part of Phase 2 of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. The EPR program has allowed the standardization of recycling collection in Alberta and new sorting and recycling of materials that can now process foam packaging comingled in curbside recycling bags.

The Government of Alberta exempted a narrow range of flexible plastic packaging-like products from requirements under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulation. The exemption is specific to products made from flexible plastic that are ordinarily used for the containment, protection or handling of food, such as cling wrap, sandwich bags or freezer bags. As the City’s recycling services are collected through EPR, these items are not accepted in curbside recycling.

To ensure acceptable items reach end markets and are turned into new products, it is important to ensure that they are clean. This means that materials should be free of food chunks and liquid materials and should be wiped clean from grease and dirt.

The acceptable item list applies to all of the City’s collection programs, whether it’s at the curb or through the Eco Centre (50 Diamond Ave.). The only difference from curbside collection is that glass containers and Styrofoam must be taken to the Eco Centre for disposal.

Use the City’s online Trim Your Trash tool to help you sort with success! Simply search for an item and find out if it belongs in your blue recycle bag, green organics cart or black waste cart.

A great start is to rethink how you purchase, use, and dispose of various products. Did you know the three R’s of recycling (reduce, reuse and recycle) are in order of priority? Before you recycle, try to reduce and reuse first. Here are some simple steps you can take to cut back on waste and your use of plastics:

Reduce

• Reduce your use of single use plastic items (e.g.: items such as plastic forks, straws and take-out containers)
• Buy products with less packaging
• Bring cloth bags with you when you shop for groceries
• Plan out your meals

Reuse

• Take reusable lunch containers, coffee mugs and water bottles
• Buy items second-hand
• Fix what you can before replacing items
• Donate items you no longer use to charity

Recycle

• Keep recycling to ensure valuable materials are being collected
• Follow the most current recycling guidelines to ensure raw materials are going to the right place and being processed into something new

There are seven different numbers found within triangles on various plastic bottles, containers, and packaging. While these symbols may look like the recycling "chasing arrows" symbol, they were originally created to identify the type of plastic used in a product. They do not indicate whether an item can be recycled through your local recycling program.

To make recycling easier for residents, Alberta's recycling system has transitioned to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, which identifies acceptable materials based on packaging types rather than plastic numbers. For the most up-to-date recycling guidance, use the City's Trim Your Trash tool to search for specific items and learn how they should be recycled, composted, or disposed of. This helps ensure materials are sorted correctly and processed into something new.

Black waste carts are limited to one per household. We encourage you to take some time to understand what can and can’t be placed in your blue recycle bag and the true impact it will have on the available space in your black waste cart. More information on garbage limits available on the garbage page.

Properties with secondary suites have the option to opt-in to solid waste service for the secondary suite under the residence’s primary utility account.

Clear blue recycle bags are see-through, so collectors can quickly scan the contents for contaminants and unacceptable materials. Blue bags also keep recycling contained, so it does not end up all over your street on windy days and protects your recycling if it is accidentally dumped when being collected. Blue recycle bags allow for unlimited quantities of recycling to be placed out for collection, while blue carts limit the amount of recycling to the cart size and requires additional storage of a third cart on their property. The benefits of using blue recycle bags for collection far outweigh the disadvantages.

The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program benefits communities by shifting the costs of waste collection, sorting, processing and recycling from local municipalities and taxpayers throughout Alberta, to the producers and manufacturers who introduced the materials into the marketplace.

The City began participating in EPR on April 1, 2025, and Phase 2 of the program began October 1, 2026, further expanding the types of items accepted for blue bag recycling such as glass containers, foam packaging, paper laminates, flexible plastics and aerosol containers.