Information

Recycling Resources for Albertans

Trying to find a recycler or drop-off depot? ARMA has pulled together the following resources to help Albertans recycle, reuse, and divert all types of materials from landfills:
https://www.albertarecycling.ca/programs/alberta-recycling-resources/

Studies

Collaborative study makes a strong case for EPR in Alberta

A study released today shows a compelling vision for extended producer responsibility (EPR) for residential packaging and paper products (PPP) with a made-in-Alberta solution. The Recycling Council of Alberta has participated with the Alberta Collaborative Extended Producer Responsibility (ACES) Group, including municipal and producer representatives, to provide guidance and oversight on the report, the Extended Producer Responsibility for Residential Packaging and Paper Products: Alberta Collaborative Extended Producer Responsibility Study. The study shows that with EPR Albertans will see cost savings, new jobs, better access to recycling opportunities, and better environmental outcomes. Producers will be empowered to design packaging and paper products that are efficient to collect and manage the costs and systems to recycle them.

Quantifying the Economic Value of Alberta’s Recycling Programs (Report, June 17, 2019)

This study, commissioned by the RCA in partnership with ARMA, BCMB and SWANA, and supported by Alberta Economic Development & Trade, calculates social and economic benefits realized in Alberta from recycling activity. The study also includes an evaluation of additional material that could be captured and economic benefits that would be delivered through additional diversion. Download the report here, Download the Benefits Calculator (Excel format)

Recycling

Recycling 101 Presentation

Resources and Presentations for Speakers:

For a young audience (Grade 4-8), use Alberta Environment’s interactive presentation:

Finding the Right Hauler For You

Download the factsheet here or visit https://www.greencalgary.org/workplace-resources
Factsheet / brochure developed by The Green Calgary Association in consultation with the Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation, The City of Calgary, The City of Red Deer, Edmonton Waste Management Centre of Excellence, Lakeland College, Recycling Council of Alberta, The Town of Cochrane, and Urban Impact Recycling

China Market Restrictions – Frequently Asked Questions

The RCA has assembled a list of FAQs (updated June 2020) on the current recyclables market situation in China. We are very interested in hearing the experiences of our members, so let us know how this is affecting you, as we continue to work with our partners to try to find feasible resolutions to this issue.

Agricultural Plastics Recycling

Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group (APRG)

The RCA participates on the Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group (APRG) which was formed in 2016 and is made up of over 20 organizations representing agricultural producers, retailers, manufacturers, municipalities, non-profits and others. The APRG gathered stakeholders for further discussion about a provincial solution for ag plastics recycling because of concerns over the lack of options for the waste material, combined with the absence of policy for a provincial agricultural plastics diversion program. In 2019 the group was granted $1 million in funding from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry for a three-year pilot, the Alberta Ag Plastic: Recycle It! Program, to recycle grain bags and twine. Cleanfarms has been selected as the pilot program operator. As part of the pilot, a waste characterization, market study and producer survey were completed. More information about Alberta Ag-Plastic: Recycle It! can be found at www.aprg.ca and https://cleanfarms.ca/alberta-ag-plastic-recycle-it-program/

2007 Pilot Project

Summary Report – September 2009 (831 Kb)
In 2007, the Recycling Council of Alberta (RCA) established a working group with representatives from the Alberta Plastics Recycling Association (APRA), the plastic manufacturing sector, retailers, recycling project operators, Alberta Agriculture, Alberta Environment, and recyclers to look at options for agricultural plastic waste that would be environmentally preferable to currently common practices of burning the material on-site, disposing it by burying in landfills or backyard pits, or leaving it in the environment as litter. As part of its research efforts, the working group established a pilot project on recycling of agricultural plastics. Before a recycling solution can be advocated problems associated with collection, shipment and recycling must be understood and solved. The goal of the agricultural plastics pilot program was to facilitate a recycling solution to conserve a plastic resource that is currently lost and in the process reduce the air pollution that results from open burning of the material. Assessments in communities across the province were made as agricultural profiles and climates differ significantly.

Waste-to-Energy

Visit the link to find the latest presentations from experts at the RCA’s Waste to Energy Symposium in March 2020.

Historical Reports

Scrap Metal Recovery and Recycling in Northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories

Report (PDF 2 MB)
This report, prepared by the Recycling Council of Alberta submitted to the Government of Canada Climate Change Mitigation Program (Enhanced Recycling) looks at the challenges northern remote communities face with managing their scrap metal. It focuses on the following topics:

  • Existing and related scrap metal recovery programs and associations
  • Northern Alberta and Nortwest Territories stockpiled scrap metal survey results
  • Greenhouse gas diversion potential from scrap metal recovery
  • Scrap Metal Recovery in the Northwest Territories Stakeholder Workshop
  • Transportation and processing/market options
  • Opportunities for financial assistance
  • Recommendations for scrap metal recovery in the Northwest Territories

Recycling Council of Alberta Green Procurement Research

Report  (PDF 1 MB)
This report provides a situation analysis on green procurement in Alberta and Canada and develops a road-map for those considering setting up their own program. It includes information on

  • Research of green procurement programs including innovative examples of successful green procurement
  • Developing and implementing a green procurement policy
  • Resources to assist in developing a green procurement policy.
  • Locating green products

Provincial Waste Characterization Framework

Final Report (1.5 MB – PDF format)
Comprehensive and accurate measurement of waste generation and disposal continues to be an issue at both provincial and national levels. Considerable efforts and progress are being made towards improving and streamlining the measurement of waste disposal across Canada. At the same time, additional detail and perspective can be obtained through closer examination of the composition of waste generated from various sources. A number of communities and organizations have conducted waste composition analyses for their internal use. This project was initiated to develop a provincial waste characterization framework that will provide a suggested protocol for conducting waste characterization studies, as well as a process for coordinating and aggregating waste characterization data on a provincial level.