Circular Materials Marks Key Milestone in Enhancing Recycling Across Alberta

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): On April 1, Circular Materials will launch Phase 1 of extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging and paper products in Alberta. To celebrate this milestone, Circular Materials was joined by government officials, business and industry leaders at the City of Edmonton’s Kennedale East Facility. EPR is set to bring an enhanced recycling system to the province, benefitting Alberta’s residents, communities and the environment.

EPR represents a fundamental change in which producers – the businesses supplying paper and packaging to residents – fully fund and manage the end-of-life cycle for those materials. EPR enables innovation, operational efficiencies and encourages the more efficient use of materials.

“We are proud to reach this important milestone in collaboration with our producers, key partners and stakeholders. Significant efforts have brought us to this point, and we will continue this momentum to enhance recycling systems across the province,” said Allen Langdon, CEO of Circular Materials. “Circular Materials will carry forward the important progress municipalities and communities have made in advancing the circular economy. We look forward to delivering an EPR program that strengthens environmental outcomes and meets the needs of all Albertans.”

Circular Materials is a national, producer-led not-for-profit organization that supports producers in advancing recycling and meeting EPR obligations in Alberta. Since the Alberta Extended Producer Responsibility Regulation was approved in October 2022, Circular Materials has been working in collaboration with producers, the Alberta government, Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA), and communities and municipalities to prepare for the shift to EPR.

“This new system will keep more waste out of landfills while saving communities and taxpayers money. And we’re doing it without creating more work or costs for Albertans or making them change their recycling habits,” said Rebecca Schulz, Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Protected Areas.

“With Phase 1 of EPR implementation officially underway, we are grateful to our partners, like the Government of Alberta, Circular Materials, and municipalities, for their commitment to pursuing responsible waste management practices. By working together, we’ve created a made-in-Alberta EPR solution that we’re confident will advance sustainability in our province,” said Ed Gugenheimer, CEO of Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA).

The shift to full EPR in Alberta will happen over two phases:

•          Phase 1 includes over 200 communities, including 45 communities where Circular Materials will immediately begin direct management of recycling services and over 150 communities that will continue to manage recycling collection as a service provider to Circular Materials (such as the City of Edmonton).
•          Phase 2 will launch in October 2026 for the communities that did not have existing recycling services as of November 30, 2022.

“The City of Edmonton is looking forward to working with Circular Materials to serve residents in this new era of recycling in our province. Through this new model, our residents can continue to expect the same high-quality recycling services, while the costs of recycling will be shifted to the producers of the recyclable material. Now that Circular Materials – as a representative of those producers – covers these costs, residents are seeing lower utility rates without impacts to service or our environmental goals,” said Chris Fowler, Acting Branch Manager of Waste Services, City of Edmonton.

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantagemag.com