RCA Advocates for a Strong and Stable Extended Producer Responsibility Framework

The Recycling Council of Alberta (RCA) recently reaffirmed its support for Alberta’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework by submitting a formal letter to Premier Danielle Smith and Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Grant Hunter.

The letter reflects a shared commitment to ensuring Alberta’s EPR system continues to deliver long-term environmental and economic benefits while remaining responsive to stakeholder feedback. 

For nearly 40 years, RCA has served as Alberta’s trusted, non-partisan voice on recycling, waste reduction, and the circular economy. Through its advocacy, RCA works to identify common ground and advance practical, evidence-based solutions that strengthen both Alberta’s economy and its resource recovery system.

The letter highlights Extended Producer Responsibility as a widely adopted policy framework that shifts responsibility for end-of-life product management from municipalities and taxpayers to producers. It also notes the positive outcomes Alberta is already beginning to experience, including reductions in residential recycling costs for municipalities and increased investment by producers and Producer Responsibility Organizations in collection systems, recycling infrastructure, public education, and market development.

While acknowledging that implementation will continue to evolve, RCA emphasizes that continuous improvement should be guided by measurable outcomes, meaningful stakeholder engagement, regulatory certainty, transparency, and accountability. A stable policy environment gives organizations the confidence to invest in innovation while enabling government and industry to strengthen the system collaboratively over time.The letter concludes by reaffirming RCA’s commitment to working with government and stakeholders across the recycling value chain to identify areas of consensus, support practical recommendations, and advance Alberta’s circular economy.

Read RCA’s full submission to the Government of Alberta on Extended Producer Responsibility here.