Extended Producer Responsibility

After three years of advocacy by Alberta Municipalities and its members, the Government of Alberta introduced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations in October 2022! These regulations mark an important milestone as municipalities begin planning to hand over responsibilities for the collection of designated recyclable material.

EPR represents significant change for all municipalities. The industries that create paper, plastics, and hazardous materials will soon be responsible for the collection and management of those materials at the end of their product life. Producers must arrange to take over this responsibility from municipalities. The costs for the recycling system will now be accounted for in the cost of a product — not in property taxes or utility rates.

Our newly formed Local Government EPR Working Group will continue working with the provincial government and other key stakeholders on this important issue to support municipalities as we transition.