A change in recycling regulations in Alberta could be coming and the move would likely help Calgarians save money on blue bin fees.
The province has been looking at changing to an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system since 2022. The move would aim to shift collecting and sorting recycling to product manufacturers and away from local governments and residents.
The change is expected to go live on provincewide on Apr. 1.
“EPR is a provincially regulated program that mandates that producers become responsible for paper and packaging products, instead of municipalities,” says Calgary Ward 14 Coun. Peter Demong, and longtime supporter of EPR.
“They are to be physically responsible and financially responsible.”
The change could see the charges for Calgary’s Blue Cart Program come down from $9.34 a month, to $2.17 a month — saving people about $86 a year.
For the city to adopt EPR, council must approve bylaw changes with a vote set for Thursday. Demong says he anticipates no opposition to the policy when it’s up for preliminary approval.
“It will be a seamless transition, so most constituents won’t even know its happening, except for the lowering of their blue bin bills,” he says.
The recycling Council of Alberta says the shift will create a more efficient and effective recycling system across the province and ensure materials are kept in use to be used again as recycled content, new products and packaging.
The EPR system is already in place in British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.