Waste Control Regulation Amendment – Small, Municipal Leaf and Yard Waste Composting Facility Exemption

There have been recent changes made to the Waste Control Regulation related to requirements for small municipal leaf and yard waste composting facilities.

The regulatory amendments made on June 18, 2026, impact composting facilities that:

• are operated by a local authority,
• accept leaf and yard waste only, and
• accept no more than 500 tonnes per year.

These facilities now exempt from the requirements of the Code of Practice for Compost Facilities and from the requirement to employ a certified operator.

Complementary amendments to the Administrative Penalty Regulation ensure enforcement tools remain in place, if needed, as environmental protection requirements remain.

Information on the regulatory amendments is available online, including:

• News release at: Alberta puts red tape in the compost pile | alberta.ca
• Order in Council for Waste Control Regulation amendments at: O.C. 199/2026
• Order in Council for Administrative Penalty Regulation amendments at: O.C. 200/2026

Quick facts

• Yard waste includes grass, leaves, branches, organic garden waste and trees. It is estimated to make up about 9.8 per cent of total municipal waste in Alberta. 
• There are about 14 yard-waste facilities in Alberta that accept 500 tonnes per year or less and are owned and operated by a municipality.  
• Alberta was the only province that had a certified operator requirement.
• Organic waste, if not turned into compost, can attract pests, produce leachate and offensive gases and cause fires.

If you have any questions about the changes contact epa.wasteregulation@gov.ab.ca.