Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR, is a recycling approach where the businesses that supply paper and packaging products are responsible for funding and managing the recycling of those materials. In the past, municipalities were responsible for the cost of collecting, sorting and processing recycling, and those costs were passed on to residents.  

PPP stands for paper and packaging products. It is the term used in legislation and industry information, but for residents it refers to many of the same everyday items commonly discussed as recycling, such as paper, cardboard, containers and packaging. 

No. Keep sorting the same way until October 1, 2026. The expanded Blue Cart material list does not take effect until then. 

Starting October 1, 2026, more materials will be accepted in the Blue Cart, and some items that currently go in the Black Cart will move to the Blue Cart. Residents should continue using City of Red Deer sorting information before placing items in any cart. 

Your collection schedule will remain the same unless residents are notified otherwise. Any future collection or contact-information changes will be shared through official City channels. 

Residents can learn more through provincial and industry resources, but local sorting decisions should be based on City of Red Deer information. Recycling programs and timelines can vary by community.

No. Keep sorting the same way until October 1, 2026. The expanded recyclable material list does not take effect until then. Continue following the current Blue Cart, Black Cart and Green Cart sorting rules until the change begins. 

The new accepted materials cannot be placed in the Blue Cart until October 1, 2026, to align with Alberta’s EPR regulation requirements. This change requires significant planning, infrastructure upgrades, and coordination to ensure a smooth transition. This includes setting up new collection systems and upgrading sorting facilities.

Starting October 1, more materials will be accepted in the Blue Cart, including additional paper and fibre materials, paper laminate packaging and containers, cartons, plastic packaging and containers, flexible plastic packaging, foam packaging, metal containers, aluminum foil and trays, personal care and cooking aerosol containers and glass containers. Some items that currently go in the Black Cart will move to the Blue Cart at that time. 

The City will share information before and during the transition through official City channels, including The City website, Notify, social media, direct mail, advertising, and Customer Service. Look for messages that clearly say, “Starting October 1” or “Before October 1.” 

No. Not everything is recyclable. Only accepted materials should be placed in the Blue Cart, and materials must be empty and prepared correctly. If you are not sure where something goes, check before you toss.

The City of Red Deer is the trusted source for local Blue Cart, Black Cart and Green Cart sorting information.

Follow City of Red Deer recycling information for materials collected in Red Deer. Accepted materials, preparation requirements and collection programs can differ between municipalities. 

No. The City will provide examples, sorting information and online tools to help residents make the right decision. Use City resources whenever you are unsure where an item belongs.

Accepted paper and fibre materials include cardboard boxes, pizza boxes, direct mail boxes, moving boxes, shoe boxes, cereal boxes, tissue boxes, egg cartons, toilet paper and paper towel rolls, paper bags, notepads, loose paper, file folders, printed materials, community newspapers, flyers, brochures, magazines, greeting cards, envelopes and gift boxes.

Empty and flatten boxes. Cardboard should be no larger than 60 x 60 cm. Place shredded paper in a tied clear plastic bag. Remove plastic covers, elastic bands and rope handles from bags. Do not place soft or hard covered books or novels in the Blue Cart.

Yes. Starting October 1, accepted paper laminate items include pet food bags, food service paper bags, plates, spiral cans, cookie dough containers, ice cream containers and hot or cold beverage cups. These items must be empty and rinsed. Remove lids from paper laminate containers. 

Yes. Starting October 1, accepted cartons include molasses and sugar cartons, laundry and cleaning cartons, and soup and sauce cartons. Empty and rinse cartons before recycling them. Lids and caps can stay on. 

Starting October 1, accepted plastic packaging and containers include laundry detergent jugs, household cleaner bottles, shampoo and body wash bottles, salad dressing bottles, condiment bottles, dish soap bottles, mouthwash bottles, food trays, salad containers, yogurt containers, peanut butter containers, bakery containers, egg containers, plastic cups, plastic tubs and lids, small item packaging, hand sanitizer bottles and plant pots. Empty and rinse containers before recycling them. Lids and caps can stay on. 

Yes. Starting October 1, accepted cartons include molasses and sugar cartons, laundry and cleaning cartons, and soup and sauce cartons. Empty and rinse cartons before recycling them. Lids and caps can stay on. 

Starting October 1, accepted plastic packaging and containers include laundry detergent jugs, household cleaner bottles, shampoo and body wash bottles, salad dressing bottles, condiment bottles, dish soap bottles, mouthwash bottles, food trays, salad containers, yogurt containers, peanut butter containers, bakery containers, egg containers, plastic cups, plastic tubs and lids, small item packaging, hand sanitizer bottles and plant pots. Empty and rinse containers before recycling them. Lids and caps can stay on. 

Yes. Starting October 1, accepted flexible plastic packaging includes dry cleaning bags, bread bags, newspaper and flyer bags, overwrap from paper towel, toilet paper and beverage containers, coffee bags, deli pouches, chip bags, bubble wrap, snack wrappers, cereal liner bags and plastic gift bags. These items must be empty and rinsed if soiled. 

Yes. Starting October 1, accepted foam packaging includes meat trays, takeout containers, cups, plates, bowls and foam packaging. Items must be empty and rinsed. Remove film wrap and absorbent pads from meat trays before recycling. 

Starting October 1, accepted metal containers include food cans, metal lids, candle tins, cookie tins, coffee tins and tea tins. Rinse and dry metal containers before placing them in the Blue Cart. 

Yes. Starting October 1, aluminum foil, pie plates and frozen food trays are accepted. Empty and rinse aluminum items and ball up aluminum foil before recycling. 

Yes, many of them. Starting October 1, cooking (food spray, cooking oil, cool whip, etc.) and personal care (hairspray, body spray, shaving cream, deodorant, etc.) aerosol containers are accepted if they are empty. Lids and caps can stay on. What is not accepted are cleaning and paint aerosols. 

Yes. Starting October 1, clear and coloured glass containers are accepted, including food containers, jars, bottles, cosmetic containers, spice bottles, oil bottles and vinegar bottles. Empty glass containers and remove lids and caps before recycling.

Containers should not contain food, liquid or leftover product before they are placed in the Blue Cart. Emptying materials helps reduce contamination and keep recyclable materials cleaner. 

Yes, most materials such as metal containers, glass jars, and plastics should be rinsed and dried before recycling. Other items need to be empty. Check the preparation instructions for the material type when you are unsure.

It depends on the material. Some items can be recycled with lids and caps on, while glass containers need lids and caps removed. Check the sorting instructions before recycling each item. 

Contamination happens when unacceptable or improperly prepared items are placed in the Blue Cart. Contaminated recycling can create collection and processing issues and may reduce the quality of recyclable materials. Sorting correctly helps keep recycling working. 

Mistakes can happen, but residents should make every effort to sort correctly. If you are unsure about an item, check the City’s sorting information before placing it in any cart. Do not guess. 

The Waste Sorting Tool helps residents find out whether an item belongs in the Blue Cart, Black Cart, Green Cart or another disposal stream. Use the tool when you are not sure where an item belongs.

If you cannot find an item or are still unsure, contact the City for help before disposing of it. Do not place an item in the Blue Cart unless you know it is accepted. 

Collection schedules will remain the same unless residents are notified otherwise. Any future changes to collection schedules will be shared through official City channels.

Contact information may change as part of the transition. The City will share updated contact information before any change takes effect. Until then, residents should continue using current City information for Blue Cart questions. 

Check before you toss. Use the City’s sorting information before placing an item in the Blue Cart, Black Cart or Green Cart. If an item is not accepted or you are unsure, do not guess.