Collection of Recyclables

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program for Packaging and Paper Launching December 1, 2025

Nova Scotia transitioned to a new recycling model that shifts responsibility from municipalities to the producers of packaging and paper products. This change is part of the province’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) initiative, which came into effect on December 1, 2025.

What is EPR?

Extended Producer Responsibility is a framework where producers – the businesses that supply packaging and paper products – are responsible for managing the end-of-life of these materials. This approach encourages innovation, improves recycling rates, and supports a circular economy where materials are reused in new products.

The Province of Nova Scotia’s Extended Producer Responsibility regulation for packaging, paper and packaging-like products came into effect on Dec. 1, 2025. These regulations shift both the physical and financial responsibility for recycling to the companies that produce, import or sell the materials collected in the municipal blue bag curbside recycling program.

Historically, Nova Scotia’s packaging and paper recycling program was operated and funded by municipalities. Under the new EPR regulations, Nova Scotia is transitioning to a model where producers – the businesses that supply packaging and paper materials – will be fully responsible for operating and funding the province’s recycling program. This is a change that will not only benefit people, but also the planet.

The Municipality of the County of Antigonish will continue to manage roadside recycling. However the shift to EPR will support broader environmental goals to divert more materials from landfills and reduce waste at the source.

What to Expect as a Resident

  • Your roadside recycling service will remain at the same time and day.
  • You will still have two blue bags for recycling, clear bag for waste and a green bin for organics.
  • Recycling will become more consistent across Nova Scotia, with a standardized list of accepted materials. If you are unsure of an item, or where it goes, check with the Waste Wizard. Residents will be able to recycle the same materials no matter where they live.

New items accepted in blue bag curbside recycling include:

    • multi-layer paper containers, such as:
      • paper cups (including disposable paper hot and cold beverage cups)
      • paper bowls
      • ice cream cartons
      • cookie dough spiral cans
      • frozen juice spiral cans
      • potato chip spiral cans
    • Plastic tubes, including:
      • toothpaste
      • deodorant
      • hand cream containers
    • Small item plastic packaging, such as:
      • bottles/pumps
      • candy/gum containers
      • pails
      • garden pots
      • seedling trays
  • The following items will no longer be accepted in the curbside recycling program:
    • books (which can be donated to community library boxes/thrift shops, or shared with others to be reused)

Recycling Resources

For more information on waste collection in Nova Scotia visit the Circular Materials website. If  unsure where an item belongs, they are encouraged to use the Waste Wizard, available here:https://www.erswm.ca/waste-collection-calendar-waste-sorting-wizard/

Bag 1 — Paper/Cardboard Products

  • Corrugated cardboard boxes – Pizza boxes, direct mail boxes, moving boxes
  • Boxboard – Cereal, tissue or she boxes, clothing tags, egg cartons, toilet paper and paper towel rolls.
  • Paper bags –  Bags made of kraft paper, including flour bags, prescription bags and paper produce bags.
  • Multi-layer paper packaging – Pet food bags, paper plates, burger and sandwich wraps.
  • Paper for general use – Notepads, file folders, white or coloured loose papers and other printed materials.
  • Newspapers and magazines – Flyers, newspapers, brochures, glossy and non-glossy magazines.
  • Catalogues & phone books – Catalogues, phone books and directories
  • Paper gift wrapping and decorations – Cards and envelopes, gift wrapping and boxes, tissue paper and decorations.

Bag 2 — Containers & All Other Recyclables

  • Paper cartons – Dry, molasses and sugar cartons, laundry and cleaning cartons, soup and sauce cartons, coffee cartons.
  • Multi-layer paper containers –  Spiral wound containers – frozen juice, Pringles, cookie dough, cups and bowls, ice cream containers, coffee cups.
  • Plastic jugs and bottles – Laundry detergent and household cleaner jugs, shampoo, body wash, salad dressing, dish soap ,mouth wash, etc.
  • Plastic trays and containers –  food trays, salad, yogurt, peanut butter and egg containers.
  • Plastic tubes –  toothpaste, deodorant and hand cream tubes.
  • Other plastic packaging –  candy dispensers, pails, garden pots and trays.
  • Flexible plastic (film) –  bags for dry cleaning, bread, fryer wrap, sandwich bags, shrink wrap, etc
  • Metal packaging – food cans and lids, wire hangers, coffee and tea tins
  • Other aluminium packaging –  foil, pie plates, yogurts and sour cream seals, frozen food trays, tea light containers.

** You will only receive your refund if refundable beverage containers are returned to an ENVIRO-DEPOT™

Notes on Recycling

  • All containers MUST be rinsed clean – labels do not need to be removed.
  • Lids/caps from glass and plastic jars/bottles can stay on.
  • Covers on tin cans do not have to be removed – if removed, please place them on the bottom of the cleaned container.
  • Flatten or bundle large boxes (secure with twine or tape)
  • Paper and cardboard MUST be clean and dry – it cannot be recycled if wet and dirty.

For more information on waste collection in Nova Scotia visit the Circular Materials website.

Notes on Depot Items

Depot items include foam packaging, aerosol containers, and flexible plastics such as chip bags and candy wrappers. These materials can be placed in a blue bag and dropped off at a participating depot for recycling. These items, if placed in clear bags will not be rejected.

Antigonish County depots include:

  • MacMillan’s Service Centre, 4802 Hwy 4, Antigonish County
  • A & M Recycling, 9550 Highway 4 , Tracadie

    For more information on the locations of Nova Scotia depots, visit the Circular Materials website.

    Holiday Collection

    It is the Policy of the Municipality of the County of Antigonish that garbage, organics and recyclables are collected as normal on all holidays throughout the year except for the following:

    • Good Friday, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day
    • Garbage and organics normally collected on these days will be collected a week later on the regular day for collection. Recyclables normally collected on these days will be collected 2 weeks later on the regular day for collection.
    • The Beech Hill Solid Waste Resource Management Facility is closed on all holidays throughout the year.

    What happens if my regular garbage, compost and recyclables collection is cancelled due to weather conditions?

    Weather conditions sometimes requires the cancellation of collection for garbage, compost and recyclables. When this happens, garbage and compost will be collected one week later on regular collection day. Recyclables will be collected two weeks later on the regular collection day.

     

    Waste Collection Calendar

    Enter your civic address to generate a Waste Collection Calendar customized for your home. You can print your calendar or choose to receive reminders the day before or the day of your collection. Several reminder options are available, check them out and sign up today!

    By registering for reminders, you’ll also receive special notices about events and any waste collection route changes.

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