Edmonton has one of the oldest and most developed recycling systems in Canada. The “blue box” program, launched in 1988, became the basis for the modern waste management system, which is used by over 90% of the city's residents. In 2021, Edmonton introduced a three-stream waste sorting system that separates food waste, recycling, and garbage, creating the opportunity to recycle a much wider range of materials. Understanding what materials are accepted for recycling helps residents reduce the amount of waste going to landfills and contributes to the circular economy.
The blue bag system: the foundation of recycling in Edmonton
Unlike many other Canadian cities, Edmonton uses a system of transparent blue bags to collect recyclable materials. These bags are collected weekly as part of a curbside waste collection program, making the process accessible to all residents of private homes. For residents of apartments and condominiums, there are blue containers where materials can be disposed of either separately or in blue bags. By the end of 2027, all multi-unit buildings in Edmonton will have mandatory recycling containers.
The blue bag system allows for visual inspection of the contents before collection, which helps reduce contamination with unacceptable materials. It is important to remember that the bag must be transparent or semi-transparent so that waste collection workers can verify that the sorting is correct.
Paper and cardboard: the most recyclable materials
Paper and cardboard products make up a significant portion of the materials recycled in Edmonton. The city accepts a wide range of paper products through its blue bag system and recycling depots.
Acceptable paper materials
Newspapers, magazines, flyers, advertising brochures, and office paper can be recycled. Envelopes are also accepted, regardless of whether they have plastic windows. Cardboard boxes of all types are recyclable, from large shipping boxes to cereal, shoe, and egg cartons. Paper bags, such as those given out at grocery stores, can also be disposed of in the blue bag.
Pizza boxes deserve special attention, as they often cause confusion. Edmonton accepts pizza boxes for recycling, even if they have grease stains on them. However, it is important to remove the paper liner and food residue before discarding the box. A small amount of grease is not a problem for the recycling process, but heavily soiled boxes can contaminate other materials.
Cardboard boxes must be flattened before placing them in the blue bag. Large boxes can be tied together with string or tape and placed under the blue bag or inside a flattened cardboard box. This saves space and makes the sorting process easier at the recycling plant.
Shredded paper: an exception
Although most paper products are recyclable, shredded paper is an exception to this rule. Edmonton does not accept shredded paper in the blue bag because small pieces of paper can clog the equipment at the sorting plant, causing damage and production stoppages. Shredded paper should be disposed of in the black garbage container. However, some recycling depots do accept shredded paper, so residents are advised to contact their local depot directly for clarification.
Plastic items: understanding what is accepted
Plastic is one of the most difficult materials to recycle due to the variety of types and the complexity of sorting. Edmonton accepts a wide range of plastic items, but not all plastic items are recyclable due to equipment limitations and market factors.
Rigid plastic containers
The city accepts a variety of rigid plastic containers, including shampoo bottles, salad dressings, cleaning products, detergents, and other household products. Containers such as vinegar and laundry detergent bottles are also recyclable. Mayonnaise, yogurt, and sour cream containers can be placed in the blue bag after being rinsed.
Plastic clamshell containers used to sell berries, spinach, and eggs are accepted for recycling. Takeaway food containers and disposable plastic cups can also be recycled. It is important to make sure that all containers are empty, rinsed, and dry before placing them in the blue bag.
Lids on plastic containers can be left on, as they are recycled along with the bottles. Labels do not need to be removed either — they will be separated during the sorting process at the plant.
Stretch test: determining the acceptability of plastic bags
Edmonton has a unique system for determining whether a plastic bag is recyclable, called the “stretch test.” To determine whether a plastic bag can be thrown into the blue bag, you need to pull it. If the bag stretches, it can be recycled. If it does not stretch and tears, it should be thrown in the trash.
Plastic bags that pass the stretch test include grocery bags, bread bags, vegetable bags, frozen vegetable bags, and dry cleaning bags. It is recommended to put all such bags into one larger bag and tie it before throwing it into the blue bag. This prevents the bags from spilling during transport and makes them easier to sort.
Bags that do not pass the stretch test include cereal bags, pre-washed salad bags, and stand-up pouches. These materials are made from other types of plastic that cannot be recycled under the Edmonton program and must be disposed of in the black garbage container.
Unacceptable plastic items
Some plastic items are not accepted in the Edmonton recycling system. Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) cannot be disposed of in the blue bag because the equipment at the recycling plant cannot sort it. However, starting in 2022, Edmonton began accepting large pieces of Styrofoam at eco-stations, where a local company, Styro Re Cycle, collects and recycles this material. It is important to note that only large packaging blocks, coolers, and similar items are accepted—takeout food containers, packing peanuts, and meat trays are not accepted even at eco-stations.
Plastic tableware, straws, and other disposable cutlery are not recyclable and should be thrown in the trash. Recycling symbols with numbers on plastic items do not necessarily mean that the item can be recycled in Edmonton. The city's ability to recycle certain plastics depends not only on the type of plastic, but also on the ability to sort, sell, and transport it to the buyer.
Metal items: from aluminum to steel
Metal containers are among the most valuable materials for recycling because metal can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality. Edmonton accepts a wide range of metal products through its blue bag system.
Aluminum products
Aluminum cans from beverages such as soda and beer can be disposed of in the blue bag or returned to a depot for a deposit refund. Canned food, including soup, tomato, and pet food cans, are also recyclable. When preparing cans for recycling, it is recommended to push the lid into the can to avoid sharp edges.
Aluminum packaging, such as foil, aluminum pie pans, and roasting pans, can be disposed of in the blue bag. Tin cookie tins and other metal containers are also accepted. Empty non-hazardous aerosol cans, such as those from hairspray or deodorant, are recyclable after the contents have been completely used up.
Special considerations for recycling aluminum foil
There is some confusion regarding aluminum foil. According to city information, aluminum foil and packaging are accepted for recycling. However, some sources indicate that regular aluminum foil (the kind used to wrap food) should be thrown in the trash, while aluminum trays and baking pans are accepted. This discrepancy can be explained by the fact that aluminum trays and pans are sturdier and easier to sort at the plant than thin foil, which can contaminate other materials.
To be sure they are sorting correctly, residents are encouraged to use the WasteWise app, which provides specific instructions for different types of aluminum products.
Glass products: a simple solution for recycling
Glass is one of the easiest materials to understand in the context of Edmonton recycling. The city accepts all types of glass bottles and jars, regardless of color. Glass can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality, making it an extremely valuable material for the circular economy.
Preparing glass products for recycling
Before throwing glass containers into the blue bag, they must be emptied and rinsed. Food or drink residues can contaminate other materials during the sorting process, so a quick rinse with water is sufficient to prepare the glass for recycling. Lids on glass jars and bottles can be left on—they will be separated during the sorting process.
Acceptable glass items include wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverage bottles; ketchup and other condiment bottles; and jars from jam, pickles, and other canned goods. Both food and beverage glass containers are processed the same way in Edmonton's recycling system.
Glass Recycling in Edmonton
After collection, glass items are transported to the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre. There, the glass is broken into small pieces called “cullet.” These pieces are then transported to Airdrie, Alberta, where they are ground into a sand-like material and sold to manufacturers of fiberglass insulation for homes. This process allows approximately 95% of the glass container to be recycled, with only 5% waste, including caps, corks, and dust.
Beverage containers: a dual recycling system
Edmonton has a unique system for beverage containers that allows residents to choose between two recycling options. Beverage containers can either be disposed of in a blue bag for curbside collection or returned to a bottle depot for a cash refund.
Deposit containers
In Alberta, most beverage containers are sold with a deposit, which is paid at the time of purchase and refunded when the container is returned to a depot. The deposit system creates an economic incentive for recycling and ensures a high return rate for containers.
Containers with a volume of 1 liter or less have a deposit of 10 cents, and containers larger than 1 liter have a deposit of 25 cents. Acceptable containers include aluminum soda and beer cans, plastic water and juice bottles, glass wine and beer bottles, milk and juice cartons, juice boxes, and Tetra Pak containers.
It is important to note that the deposit is only refundable for containers purchased in Alberta. Containers labeled in English and French and with sizes indicated only in milliliters are usually registered for sale in Alberta. Containers from other products, such as vinegar or soap, do not have a deposit and must be recycled through the blue bag system.
Benefits of the deposit system
The deposit system for beverage containers in Alberta is one of the most successful in North America. Over 80% of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) containers are returned for recycling. These containers are recycled into flakes or pellets, which are then used to make new food containers. In some parts of the world, PET is recycled into textiles such as clothing and carpets.
Glass containers returned through the deposit system are treated in the same way as glass from regular recycling—they are broken down and recycled into insulation materials. Tetra Pak cartons can be recycled to approximately 80% paper pulp for the production of new paper products.
Food waste and organic materials: green container
Starting in 2021, Edmonton has implemented a separate collection system for food waste and organic materials for private homes, and by 2027, this system will be expanded to all multi-unit buildings in the city. Food waste is collected in green bins and recycled into compost or renewable energy.
Acceptable food and organic materials
The green bin accepts virtually all types of food waste without exception. This includes meat and bones, vegetables and fruit (whole or scraps), bread and baked goods, dairy products and eggs, sauces and spreads. Coffee filters, coffee grounds, and tea bags can also be disposed of in the green bin.
Cardboard items contaminated with food, such as paper inserts from pizza boxes, napkins, and paper towels with food residue, are compostable. This is different from clean cardboard, which should be disposed of in the blue bag for recycling.
Yard waste and animal bedding
The green bin also accepts a variety of yard waste, including grass, leaves, weeds, flowers, and branches less than 3 feet long and less than 1 inch in diameter. Houseplants and garden plants, including potting soil, can also be composted.
A particularly useful feature of the green bin is the ability to dispose of cat litter and pet waste. Litter can be disposed of separately or in certified compostable bags. It is important to note that regular plastic bags are not suitable for this purpose, although the city will allow plastic bags to be used as liners for the green bin as a whole starting in 2023.
Prohibited items for the green bin
Despite the wide range of acceptable materials, there are a few important exceptions. Plastic bags of any kind (except certified compostable ones) do not decompose and can damage equipment at the composting facility. Disposable takeaway coffee cups made from mixed materials are also not compostable and should be disposed of in the trash.
Food packaging, such as Styrofoam and plastic, must be removed before food scraps are placed in the green bin. Deposit-bearing beverage containers do not decompose and can contaminate the finished compost with broken glass, so they must be disposed of separately.
Hazardous waste, such as batteries, chemicals, and paint, should never be disposed of in the green bin, as they can harm staff and the environment. These items should be taken to an eco-station, where they will be processed appropriately.
The food waste composting process
After collection, food waste is transported to the Edmonton Waste Management Centre, where it passes through a bag steamer that removes any liners used to line the containers. The contents then move on for further processing to remove additional contaminants such as food packaging and recyclable materials.
The remaining organic material is converted into compost either at the city's Edmonton Waste Management Centre or by a regional contractor nearby. Some of the organic waste is also processed at the High Solids Anaerobic Digestion Facility, where it is mixed with wastewater and wood chips and then decomposed for about a month. This process produces both compost and renewable energy.
High-quality finished compost is available free of charge to Edmonton residents at the Ambleside and Kennedale eco-stations starting in May each year. This creates a closed loop where food waste is turned into a useful product that can be used to enrich the soil in gardens and yards.
Yard Waste: Seasonal Collection
In addition to the option of disposing of yard waste in the green bin each week, Edmonton also offers a special seasonal yard waste collection program for larger volumes of material.
Yard Waste Collection Schedule
Yard waste is collected twice in the spring (between April and June) and twice in the fall (between September and November) on designated Mondays. Each household is assigned specific collection dates, which can be found using the WasteWise app or on a printed waste collection calendar.
Yard waste must be placed out by 7 a.m. on collection day in clear plastic bags or double paper bags. The city recommends that bags be light enough to lift with one hand and notes that there is no limit to the number of bags that can be put out.
Special requirements for elm wood
Starting in 2024, Edmonton has implemented special rules for elm wood due to the discovery of Dutch elm disease in the city. Elm wood can no longer be mixed with other yard waste or placed in containers. The annual ban on elm pruning is in effect until October 1, after which residents must prune their trees, removing any dead or dying branches, and immediately dispose of these branches by burning them or taking them to the Edmonton Waste Management Centre. Elm wood is not accepted at eco-stations.
Free compost from yard waste
Separate collection of yard waste four times a year allows the city to produce clean, high-quality compost while keeping more waste out of the landfill. This compost is available to residents free of charge at the Ambleside and Kennedale eco-stations starting in May. The compost is self-serve, and residents can find instructions on how to pick it up and use it on the city's website.
The financial incentive isn't just for municipalities and businesses—by using compost made from yard waste, residents don't have to buy expensive fertilizers or soil amendments for their own yards or gardens.
Eco Stations: A Comprehensive Solution for Special Waste
Eco Stations are convenient drop-off locations where residents can dispose of items that are not suitable for regular garbage collection, including hazardous household waste, electronics, large appliances, and other special materials.
Locations and hours of operation
There are four Eco Stations in Edmonton:
- Ambleside — 14710 Ellerslie Road SW
- Coronation — 11440 143 Street NW
- Kennedale — 5355 127 Avenue NW
- Strathcona — 5150 99 Street NW
Recycling stations are open daily with restrictions on vehicle size (maximum 1 ton) and trailer length (maximum 3 meters). Materials must be unloaded manually — dump trailers cannot be lifted on site.
Hazardous household waste
Eco-stations accept a wide range of hazardous household waste free of charge. This includes paints, varnishes, cleaning products (bleach, drain, toilet and oven cleaners), pesticides, herbicides, and lawn and garden fertilizers. Motor oil, antifreeze, and other automotive fluids are also accepted.
All types of batteries (disposable alkaline, nickel-cadmium, lithium-ion, and others) can be dropped off at eco-stations. Edmonton is part of the national Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! program, which has collected over 55 million kilograms of batteries since 1997. Batteries should never be thrown in the trash or recycled, as they can cause fires at waste processing facilities.
Light bulbs of all types, including fluorescent bulbs and lighting fixtures, are also accepted at eco-stations. Propane tanks, empty aerosol cans, and fire extinguishers can be dropped off for proper disposal.
Paint exchange program
A particularly useful service at eco-stations is the paint exchange program. Residents can drop off partially used paint for free and also pick up paint dropped off by others for their own use. This allows people to find the paint colors they need at no extra cost, while also reducing waste.
Electronics and large appliances
Eco-stations accept all types of electronics, including computers, televisions, phones, tablets, printers, and other electronic devices. Large appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, washing machines and dryers, dishwashers, and stoves can also be dropped off at eco-stations.
Appliances that require refrigerant removal (such as refrigerators) are treated in a special way to ensure the safe removal of these substances. There may be a fee for dropping off large appliances: for example, appliances that require CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) removal cost a certain amount, while other items can be dropped off for free.
Electronic waste is recycled at a specialized electronic waste recycling facility (E-Waste Recycling Facility) at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre. There, old televisions, computers, and other electronics are dismantled to remove recyclable materials such as various metals, plastics, and other components.
Tires and large items
Residents can drop off passenger car, motorcycle, and ATV tires at eco-stations free of charge, with a limit of 8 tires per day. However, commercial customers can no longer drop off tires at eco-stations or the Edmonton Waste Management Centre. This restriction was implemented to ensure that tire storage space is reserved for residents and for the disposal of other items.
Furniture, mattresses, and other large household items are also accepted at eco-stations. Mattresses and box springs are charged at $19 per item, and large items (such as sofas) are charged at $21 per item. Mixed or bulk waste, such as construction debris, soil, gravel, and wood, is accepted for a fee based on the volume of the load.
Items NOT accepted at eco-stations
There are several important categories of items that are not accepted at eco-stations. Hazardous waste from businesses, biomedical waste, and radioactive waste cannot be disposed of at these facilities. Expired medications must be returned to a pharmacy for proper disposal.
Explosives, ammunition, and fireworks are not accepted at eco-stations due to obvious safety concerns. Residents who need to dispose of such items are advised to call the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567 to arrange for safe collection and disposal.
Reuse Centre: a second life for unwanted items
The Reuse Centre is a unique facility that accepts a variety of items from Edmonton residents free of charge and provides them to organizations and individuals for reuse.
Location and hours
The Reuse Centre is located at 6835 83 Street (at the corner of 83 Street and Argyll Road). It has limited hours:
- Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday: Closed
- Holidays: Closed
The center has three main goals: to promote the idea and benefits of reuse, to provide accessible items to organizations and individuals, and to divert waste from landfills.
Acceptable Items
The Reuse Center accepts a variety of items, such as arts and crafts supplies, office and school supplies, paper and plastic products, and more. All items must be in good, clean condition and are only accepted during business hours.
Organizations and individuals can purchase items at the Reuse Center for a nominal fee: $5 per purchase (up to 50 kg) or $50 for an annual membership for non-profit organizations (25 visits). This makes the center an affordable resource for schools, community organizations, and individuals looking for affordable materials for their projects.
Items NOT Accepted
The Reuse Centre does not accept furniture, toys, clothing, or electronics. These items should be dropped off at an eco-station or donated to other organizations, such as charity shops.
Big Bin Events: Seasonal Collection of Large Items
Big Bin Events are seasonal events during which Edmonton residents can drop off large household items that are too large for regular curbside collection, free of charge.
Acceptable Items
Big Bin Events accept a wide range of large items, including furniture (sofas, chairs, mattresses), large appliances (refrigerators, freezers, washers, and dryers), computers, televisions, and other household electronics. Grass and yard waste, including branches no longer than 1.2 meters and no more than 0.75 meters in diameter, are also accepted free of charge at any time during the year.
Tires and scrap metal can also be dropped off at big box events. Excess household waste is accepted but must not include food waste or recyclables.
2025 Event Schedule
Big Bin events are held throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons at various locations across Edmonton. The 2025 schedule includes events in May and June at locations such as Commonwealth, Callingwood, Northlands, Terwillegar, and Mill Woods Town Centre, as well as in September at Ellerslie and Castle Downs. Additional events are held directly at all four eco-stations in May, June, August, and September.
Residents attending big box events must unload their vehicles themselves. The city warns that significant interest in these events is expected and queues may occur.
Items NOT accepted
It is important to note that hazardous household waste, including paint, varnish, household cleaners, or batteries, is not accepted at big box events. These items must be dropped off at an eco-station for proper disposal free of charge at any time during the year.
Community recycling depots: 24/7 access
In addition to curbside collection and eco-stations, Edmonton also maintains a network of community recycling depots that provide convenient 24/7 access for basic recyclable materials.
Locations and Acceptable Materials
There are approximately 20 community recycling depots located throughout Edmonton. Key locations include the Strathcona Depot (8505 – 104 Street) and the Millgate Depot (86 Street and Whitemud Drive). These unstaffed facilities accept mixed recycling, including paper (including shredded paper, newspapers, and magazines), boxes, cardboard (please flatten before dropping off), plastic bags, and all recyclable containers, cans, and bottles.
Each container has a label on the front indicating the type of product that should be placed in it. Residents are encouraged to read the labels carefully and follow the instructions to ensure proper sorting.
Depot Restrictions
Community recycling depots do not accept furniture, tires, building materials, mattresses, bicycles, hazardous household waste, or any household appliances (refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers, monitors, and televisions). These items must be taken to an eco-station, a big box event, or the Edmonton Waste Management Centre. It is illegal to leave these unacceptable items at a recycling depot.
Extended Producer Responsibility: The Future of Recycling in Alberta
Starting April 1, 2025, Alberta will implement an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for packaging and paper products, representing a significant change in the province's waste management system.
What is EPR
Extended producer responsibility shifts the financial burden of recycling single-use plastics, packaging, and paper products from municipalities and taxpayers to the companies that produce these products. This creates an incentive for manufacturers to design products that are easier to recycle and provides sustainable funding for recycling programs.
Implementation phases in Edmonton
The first phase of EPR began on April 1, 2025, when Circular Materials officially took over the management of recycling programs in 45 Alberta communities and acts as a service provider in more than 150 others, including Edmonton. There were no immediate changes to residents' recycling schedules or acceptable materials, and they continue to receive the same quality of recycling services.
Phase 2 will begin on October 1, 2026, and will expand recycling programs to the rest of the territory. Importantly, after this date, more materials will be accepted in curbside and depot recycling programs across the province.
Changes for residents
Under EPR rules, residents no longer need to sort materials for recycling separately—all bins are for mixed recycling. However, only household waste is accepted, while industrial, commercial, or institutional materials for recycling must be dropped off at an eco-station or the Edmonton Waste Management Centre free of charge.
The EPR program aims to increase recycling rates, improve operational efficiency, and promote a circular economy without disrupting residents' recycling habits. It also reduces costs for communities by shifting financial responsibility to product manufacturers.
Materials Recovery Facility: The Heart of the Recycling System
Once recyclable materials are collected from blue bags or depots, they are transported to the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre on Aurum Road.
The sorting process
In March 2025, GFL opened a new state-of-the-art materials recovery facility in Edmonton, equipped with advanced sorting and processing technologies. The facility is equipped with optical sorters to separate materials, a high-capacity Bollegraaf baler to produce high-quality materials for resale in markets across North America, and an automatic bag steamer suitable for Edmonton's blue bag program.
The equipment also includes a reliable Fire Rover fire suppression system to reduce fire risks, which are a serious concern at waste processing facilities due to the presence of lithium-ion batteries and other flammable materials.
Sorting Technologies
The plant uses a variety of specialized technologies to efficiently separate mixed materials. Disc screens separate materials by size, allowing smaller fractions to fall through the openings, while larger materials are carried on to the next sorting station. Optical sorters use spectroscopy to identify different types of plastic and glass by the wavelength of reflected light, then direct air streams to separate the materials into appropriate containers.
Some manual sorting is still necessary, but specialized equipment makes the process more efficient by performing one or more preliminary separation operations before the material reaches the manual collection stations. This allows workers to focus on larger items and materials that machines cannot easily separate.
Contamination and its consequences
Contamination—the technical term for non-recyclable material or trash in the recycling system—is a serious problem for Edmonton. In cities with the dirtiest recycling, such as Toronto and Edmonton, contamination rates can exceed 25%. Contamination includes food scraps in containers, non-recyclable plastic packaging, and more obvious debris such as clothing and propane tanks.
Factory workers have encountered dangerous items in the recycling stream, including blood bags, intravenous tubes, needles and sharp objects, dead animals, bullets, and pepper spray. Processing contamination as recycling is expensive because it ultimately has to be sent to a landfill as trash. Contamination can also damage other materials, especially when everything goes into the same container, turning tons of perfectly good recycling materials into trash or at least reducing their value and making them harder to sell.
Where sorted materials go
After sorting, the materials are sold to buyers in Canada and around the world. This includes companies that further clean the materials and manufacturers that use them to create new products. The improved operational efficiency and support for the circular economy provided by the new plant reduces waste, allows materials to be reused, and promotes sustainable manufacturing practices.
Clothing and textiles: lack of a municipal program
Unfortunately, Edmonton does not have a formal municipal textile recycling program, which is a gap in the city's waste management system. The city's WasteWise app suggests throwing unwanted clothing in the trash, although there are alternatives to divert these materials from the landfill.
Donating clothing in good condition
For clothing that is still in good condition, the city's WasteWise app suggests reuse through donation, resale, or distribution and provides a list of potential donation outlets through its Reuse Directory. The directory includes non-profit organizations such as Bissell Thrift Shop, MCC Thrift Shop, Salvation Army Thrift Store, and Goodwill. Residents can also donate to local small businesses such as Chubby Fem Thrift.
It is important to check with these organizations before donating, as there are items they do not accept. The list is not exhaustive, and other non-profits and commercial organizations also accept clothing donations.
Recycling Unwanted Clothing
There are limited options in Edmonton for unwanted clothing and textiles. The WasteWise app suggests throwing these items in the trash. However, residents can repurpose their unusable textiles to divert them from the landfill. Searching for “upcycled clothing” or “recycled clothing” will provide many ideas for creative uses for these items.
Blenderz Garment Recyclers is a local business that produces and sells craft kits and items made from unusable clothing, which would be a great place to start and support a local business. Some companies, such as NWC Materials, offer a service to collect unwanted textiles and clothing, accepting both wearable and unwearable items. All materials are used for upcycling, and 100% of the proceeds from donations go to local charities.
Challenges with textile recycling
Recycling textile waste is extremely difficult because our clothing is often made from a mixture of different fibers and materials. Polyester/cotton T-shirts, acrylic/nylon scarves, coated backpack fabrics, and laminated waterproof jackets make it difficult to separate the different components for effective recycling and reuse. Reusing a single T-shirt can save up to 2,700 liters of water compared to producing the same shirt from new materials.
Tools for proper sorting
Edmonton provides residents with several tools to ensure proper waste sorting and maximize recycling rates.
WasteWise app
WasteWise is a free waste management app from the City of Edmonton for residents. The app provides helpful tips on waste sorting, collection schedules, alerts, and more. Key features include:
- Search for sorting instructions for hundreds of waste items
- View your waste collection schedule
- Get collection day reminders and seasonal notifications about bulk bin events, free eco-station weekends, and more
- Play a waste sorting game to practice your sorting skills
- View the app in 14 languages (English, Czech, German, Spanish, French, Hungarian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Punjabi, Portuguese, Russian, Vietnamese, or Simplified Chinese)
Unfortunately, Ukrainian is not currently supported by the app, although Russian is available. The app can be downloaded for free from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
WasteWise Web Version
For those who prefer not to use mobile apps, a web version of WasteWise is also available at edmonton.ca/waste. The web version provides the same functionality as the app, allowing residents to search for items, view schedules, and get information about waste management programs.
Printed Calendars
Edmonton also provides printed waste collection calendars for 2025/2026 online and through the WasteWise app. Residents who need help viewing or printing their calendar can visit the Waste Collection Calendar section of the city's website.
Contact Information
For additional assistance, residents can call 311 or visit edmonton.ca/waste. The 311 service can provide information on collection schedules, acceptable materials, and facility locations.
Key rules for successful recycling
To ensure the Edmonton recycling system is as effective as possible, residents should follow a few key rules.
Empty and clean containers
All containers must be emptied and rinsed before being placed in the blue bag. A quick rinse with water is sufficient for most items—no need to wash them thoroughly with soap. This prevents contamination from food residues, which can ruin other recyclable materials. Contaminated containers can also attract pests and create unpleasant odors during transport and sorting.
Leave lids and labels on
Lids on plastic and glass containers can be left on, as they are recycled along with the containers. Labels also do not need to be removed — they will be separated during the sorting process at the recycling plant. This simplifies the preparation of materials for recycling for residents.
Flatten cardboard
Cardboard boxes must be flattened before placing them in or under the blue bag. Large boxes can be tied together with string or tape. This saves space in the blue bag, increases the amount of material that can be collected in one trip, and facilitates the sorting process at the factory.
Keep items separate
It is important not to put items inside each other in the blue bag. When different materials are put inside each other, it is difficult or impossible to separate them at the recycling plant. Placing items separately allows the sorting equipment to do its job effectively.
Use transparent blue bags
The blue bag should be transparent or semi-transparent so that waste collection workers can visually check the contents. This helps to identify contamination before the materials reach the recycling plant, reducing processing costs and improving the quality of the sorted materials.
Avoid common contaminants
Some items are often mistakenly thrown into recycling and cause serious problems at the recycling plant. Items such as garden hoses, garlands, and electrical cords can get tangled in sorting equipment, causing production stoppages. Electronics and lithium-ion batteries can pose a serious fire hazard. These items should always be taken to an eco-station rather than thrown into the blue bag.
Conclusion
Edmonton's recycling system is one of the most advanced in Canada, offering residents numerous options for recycling a wide range of materials. From blue bags for curbside collection to eco-stations for hazardous waste, from deposit return depots to big bin events, the city provides a comprehensive infrastructure to divert waste from landfill.
The key to success is understanding what materials are accepted in each program and preparing them correctly. Paper, cardboard, most plastic containers, metal, and glass can be recycled through the blue bag. Food waste and organic materials go in the green container for composting. Hazardous waste, electronics, and large items must be dropped off at eco-stations or big box events.
With the introduction of the Extended Producer Responsibility program in 2025 and its expansion in 2026, Edmonton's recycling system will continue to evolve, accepting even more materials and reducing the financial burden on taxpayers. By using tools such as the WasteWise app and following simple rules for preparing materials, Edmontonians can make a significant contribution to creating a more sustainable circular economy.
The city's ultimate goal is to divert 90% of waste from landfills across all sectors. Achieving this ambitious goal requires every resident to participate in proper waste sorting and maximizing recycling. By understanding what materials can be sorted for recycling in Edmonton and using available resources to ensure proper sorting, residents can play an important role in creating a more sustainable future for the city.