Grande Prairie residents will be able to recycle a broader range of packaging and paper products beginning October 1, 2026, as Alberta introduces standardized residential recycling services across the province.

The change is intended to make recycling easier and more consistent while helping keep more recyclable material out of the landfill.

Beginning October 1, residents can expect:

• A broader, standardized list of accepted materials
• No monthly or annual charge for curbside recycling
• Continued weekly collection in transparent bags
• No changes to collection schedules or set-out requirements

Circular Materials, a national not-for-profit organization, will manage Grande Prairie’s recycling program on behalf of the producers that supply packaging and paper products in Alberta. The full cost of curbside recycling will be covered by producers.

“Standardizing accepted materials across Alberta will make it easier for residents to understand what can be recycled and help keep more recyclable material out of the landfill,” says City of Grande Prairie Mayor, Jackie Clayton. “Grande Prairie residents will have more opportunities to recycle while continuing to use the convenient service they already know.”

More materials accepted

The expanded list includes:

• Glass jars and containers
• Foam packaging, including meat trays and takeout containers
• Flexible plastic packaging, including chip bags, bread bags, pet food bags and plastic overwrap
• Empty, non-hazardous aerosol containers
• Laminated paper and plastic packaging

The expanded list will apply to curbside collection and local recycling depots beginning October 1.

Residents can visit circularmaterials.ca/grande-prairie now to:

• Review the complete list of materials accepted beginning October 1
• Learn how to sort and prepare materials for recycling
• Find recycling service information and contact details

Residents should continue following Aquatera’s current recycling guidelines until September 30.

What stays the same

Grande Prairie will remain a bag-based curbside recycling program. Residents should continue placing accepted materials in transparent bags and setting them out on their regular collection day.

Prairie Disposal will continue weekly curbside collection. Residents do not need to register or request a new collection container.

Aquatera will continue managing local recycling depots, where the expanded list of accepted materials will also take effect October 1.

Garbage collection is not part of this transition. Regular garbage fees and services will remain in place.

About Extended Producer Responsibility

Alberta’s Extended Producer Responsibility program shifts responsibility for funding and managing residential packaging and paper product recycling to the companies that produce and supply those materials.

The City opted into the first phase of the program in 2025 and continued arranging local service through Aquatera, with collection completed by Prairie Disposal.

Beginning October 1, Circular Materials will manage Grande Prairie’s recycling program as part of the expanded provincial service.

Information and updates about the recycling transition are available at cityofgp.com/utilities.