Starting from October 1, Edmonton residents will have the opportunity to recycle a wider range of disposable items. The City of Edmonton announced that plastic packaging like coffee bags, chip bags, bubble wrap, snack wrappers, cereal liner bags, and plastic gift bags will now be accepted for recycling. This change is part of the city’s efforts to make recycling more accessible and less complicated for residents.
Shawn Gray, a waste outreach co-ordinator for the City of Edmonton, highlighted that the new recycling rules will allow the acceptance of all types of packaging, regardless of the material. He emphasized that if an item is packaging, it can be placed in the recycling bin, simplifying the process for residents.
Previously, residents were advised to perform a “stretch test” on plastic packaging to determine recyclability. However, with the updated rules, all plastic bags can now be recycled, including coffee cups and to-go cups, which were previously not accepted. Additionally, starting in October, Edmontonians can recycle takeout containers and foam packaging like meat trays and Styrofoam.
These changes are partly influenced by the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation at the provincial level. Under this regulation, the responsibility of managing recyclable materials and household hazardous waste shifts from municipalities to producers. Circular Materials, a national non-profit organization, will oversee all recycling activities in Alberta, ensuring that municipalities and taxpayers are no longer burdened with recycling costs.
As Edmonton implements these recycling enhancements, residents are encouraged to use the WasteWise app to determine which items are acceptable for recycling. By utilizing this resource, individuals can easily identify whether an item should be recycled, composted, or treated as garbage.