Calgary's blue cart now accepts toothpaste tubes, aerosols, and foam packaging
Starting October 1, the city expanded what goes in curbside recycling as manufacturers take on costs under Alberta's new Extended Producer Responsibility program.
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Starting October 1, Calgary households can toss flexible bags, wrappers, tubes, foam, and aerosols into their blue carts — expanding what the city accepts in curbside recycling.
The change is part of Alberta's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy, which shifts the cost of managing recycling from taxpayers to manufacturers. Producers now cover $110 million in annual costs that municipalities and households previously funded. For Calgary residents, that means monthly blue cart fees dropped from approximately $9 to just over $2 per household this year.
The new materials include snack bags and wrappers, toothpaste and deodorant tubes, foam packaging blocks, egg cartons, meat trays, takeout containers, hairspray, dry shampoo, shaving foam, sunscreen, cooking spray, and whipped cream aerosols. Everything must be empty and clean before going in the cart.
The expanded program applies to single-family households and multi-family properties. Condo boards and apartment managers can register with Circular Materials for free recycling collection services. There are no changes to collection schedules or pickup service.
Alberta first announced the EPR transition in 2022. The first phase began in April 2025; this second phase takes effect today. Across Alberta, 287 communities now participate, with 119 using curbside collection. Allen Langdon, chief executive of Circular Materials, said the new framework creates a more consistent and convenient recycling system provincewide — what he called "a critical step toward establishing Alberta as a North American centre of excellence for plastics diversion and recycling."
The facts
What new materials can Calgary residents put in their blue carts starting October 1?
Starting October 1, 2026, Calgary blue carts accept flexible bags, wrappers, toothpaste and deodorant tubes, foam packaging, egg cartons, meat trays, takeout containers, and aerosols like hairspray, dry shampoo, shaving foam, sunscreen, cooking spray, and whipped cream. All items must be empty and clean.
How much did Calgary's monthly blue cart fees drop?
Calgary households saw their monthly blue cart fees drop from approximately $9 to just over $2 per household in 2026, thanks to manufacturers covering recycling costs under Alberta's Extended Producer Responsibility program.
Who covers the costs of recycling under Alberta's new Extended Producer Responsibility program?
Manufacturers now cover $110 million in annual recycling management costs that municipalities and households previously funded under Alberta's Extended Producer Responsibility policy.
