Recycle more and recycle right! Alberta’s recycling system is changing

Household recycling needs to improve and your actions make a difference. Prepare, sort and dispose of recycling properly.

The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program is now in effect across Alberta, which creates opportunities to increase local recycling rates, reduce waste and build more sustainable communities. EPR shifts more responsibility for recycling to producers and away from local governments, encouraging less packaging waste and innovative ways to recycle more material.

Everyone has a role to play totake advantage of these opportunities and recycle right.

“This is a game changer for recycling in the region and across Alberta,” said Antoine Rempp, Director of Environmental Services. ‘However, if recyclables end up in the landfill, the benefits of this change are lost. When residents recycle properly, it not only helps the environment — it also helps offset municipal costs, freeing up resources to support other initiatives to build more sustainable communities.”

All equipment and recycling services at the landfill are fully operational. The launch of the EPR program will help ensure that all recyclables properly sorted and collected can be sent to market and recycled.

There are no changes to curbside collection or any Municipal garbage and recycling services.

Recycle right!

Each properly recycled item contributes to a cleaner, more sustainable Wood Buffalo. By following the guidelines and choosing to recycle right, we can all make a positive impact — one small step at a time.

Know what goes where
Make sure your recyclables end up in the right bin so they can be recycled.
✔ Use your dark blue binfor plastics numbered 1-7 and tin — keep items loose and unbagged.
✔ Use your light blue bin for clean paper and cardboard.
✘ Never put pet waste, food, hazardous products like glass and other non-recyclable material in recycling bins. Doing so can contaminate the entire truck, preventing all your recycling as well as your neighbours from being recycled.

Handle glass with care
Glass can injure the workers who hand-sort recycling.
✔ Recycle glass at commercial recycling depots or the landfill — it’s free.
✘ Never put glass in your curbside recycling. If disposing at home, bag it and place it in your black bin.

Prep your recyclables
Give your materials a quick rinse and remove any food or non-recyclable items.
✔ Rinse containers and cans.
✔ Flatten cardboard boxes.
✘ Never put greasy or food-soiled cardboard in the light blue bin, always use the black bin.

Set out your bins properly

✔ Place bins at the curb before 7:30 a.m.
✔ Leave bins at least 1 foot apart and 3 feet away from parked cars.
✔ Close lids and bring bins in the same day.

Not sure what can be recycled or what goes where? Use the online sorting tool to find out how to dispose of common items or review the downloadable dark blue bin and light blue bin guides.

Curbside collection bins getting a makeover

To help with recycling efforts in Fort McMurray, Draper, Saprae Creek Estates, Gregoire Lake Estates and Anzac, new stickers with the accepted items for each curbside recycling bin will be installed in the coming weeks. Staff will put on the new stickers while they collect bins following the regular schedule.

If your bin contains the wrong items, collection staff may leave a tag with tips or reminders. An education-first approach will be taken, but ongoing issues may lead to collection being suspended or fines.

Recycling depots

There are six recycling depots conveniently located throughout Fort McMurray where residents can drop off their household plastic, tin and paper recycling. The depots are free of charge and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Any resident that does not have curbside collection services is strongly encouraged to drop off their recycling at a depot.

If you live in Conklin or Janvier, you can bring your recycling to the local waste transfer stations, it’s free. In Fort Chipewyan, you can use the landfill for recycling at no cost. Find more information about rural garbage and recycling collections on the RMWB website.

Recycling education and seasonal programs

You can take part in several seasonal programs to help dispose of your waste and recycling properly. Details on the annual pet waste drop-off and yard waste collection will be announced soon. Additionally, you can take advantage of big bin events, heavy item pickup, hazardous waste drop-offs, and year-round recycling options at the landfill. Learn more at rmwb.ca/seasonalwaste.

New recycling initiatives will launch in the coming weeks to promote recycling and celebrate residents who are making a difference. Educational resources for schools in the region are also in development, with classroom-ready tools and materials. Schools can book landfill tours by contacting Pulse, pending staff availability.

Find the online sorting tool, disposal tips andeverything you need to know to recycle right at rmwb.ca/recycle.

For questions, contact Pulse at 780-743-7000, 1-800-973-9663 or online at rmwb.ca/pulse.

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