Recycling

What is happening on Dec. 1, 2025?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations for packaging, paper and packaging-like products come into effect in Nova Scotia on Dec. 1, 2025. These provincial regulations shift both the physical and financial responsibility for recycling to the companies that produce, import or sell the materials collected through the municipal blue bag curbside recycling program.

EPR will be implemented by Circular Materials, a national not-for-profit organization  representing producers - the businesses that supply packaging and paper to residents. Circular Materials will oversee the collection, transportation and processing of materials designated under the provincial regulations. Divert NS has been appointed by the province to act as the oversight body, ensuring compliance with the provincial regulations.

The Halifax Regional Municipality has chosen to participate in the EPR program. Over the past several months, municipal staff have worked closely with Circular Materials and other partners to plan for a smooth transition for Halifax residents. This includes maintaining curbside collection under municipal oversight. Circular Materials will manage the sorting and processing of recyclable materials after collection.

What does this mean for curbside recycling collection for single-unit and multi-unit residential properties (up to 6 units)?

Curbside recycling collection will continue as usual for properties that receive municipal services, including single-unit residential and multi-unit residential buildings with up to six units. Residents will keep the same contracted service provider, collection day and customer support options available through 311 and the Halifax Recycles app.

The key change is that the municipality will now deliver this service on behalf of Circular Materials as a contracted provider and will receive compensation to cover the cost of existing recycling collection contracts.

 

What does this mean for recycling collection for condominiums?

Condominiums currently receiving municipal waste collection services will continue under existing collection contracts. New condominium buildings will receive municipal service for garbage and organics, while recycling will be provided by Circular Materials. More details on residential buildings with seven or more units is provided in the next section.

The key change is that the municipality will now deliver this service on behalf of Circular Materials as a contracted provider and will receive compensation to cover the cost of existing recycling collection contracts.

What does this mean for recycling collection for apartments (residential buildings with seven or more units)?

Circular Materials will be responsible for establishing recycling collection services at registered apartment buildings with seven or more units. Provincial regulations also require recycling collection from schools and campgrounds.

Apartment buildings (multi-family dwellings), schools and campgrounds must register with Circular Materials to access these services. Learn more at:

• Apartment buildings: Here
• Schools: Here
• Campgrounds: Here

Will there be any changes to what can be recycled when this comes into effect on Dec. 1, 2025?

The program will maintain Nova Scotia’s familiar dual-stream blue bag system, ensuring recycling remains easy and accessible for all residents. At the same time, it will introduce a uniform material list so that communities across the province can recycle the same items consistently.

As outlined in the provincial regulations, the following items will no longer be accepted in curbside recycling, including:

• Books (donate to community library boxes/thrift shops, or share with others for reuse); and
• Pots and pans (donate or take to a scrap metal depot).

If the alternate options are not possible, these items may be included in curbside garbage collection.

As of Dec. 1, 2025, new materials will be accepted for recycling:

Blue bag curbside recycling program:

• Multi-layer paper containers (ice cream, frozen juice, chips, cups and bowls, coffee cups); and
• Plastic tubes (toothpaste, deodorant, hand cream); Plastic packaging (candy dispensers, bottles/pumps, pails, garden pots, seedling trays).

Depot drop-off at participating Enviro-Depots (not accepted in the curbside recycling program):

• Non-hazardous aerosol containers (hairspray, air freshener, shaving cream, deodorant);
• Flexible plastics  (coffee pouches, chip bags, cereal liner bags, vacuum packaging); and
• Foam packaging  (meat trays, packing peanuts, take-out containers, plates, bowls, other foam packaging)

Why is EPR being implemented?

The Province of Nova Scotia’s Extended Producer Responsibility regulation for packaging, paper and packaging-like products comes 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.               

Who should I call if my recycling is not collected?

Residents can continue to use the Halifax Recycles App, visit halifax.ca/recycling or call 311 with questions about recycling or collection services.

How can residents check if an item is recyclable?

Residents can continue to use the Halifax Recycles App, visit halifax.ca/recycling or call 311 with questions about recycling or collection services.

Why are books, pots and pans no longer accepted in the municipal curbside recycling program?

This change is part of Nova Scotia’s rollout of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging and paper products which includes an updated list of materials accepted for recycling effective Dec. 1, 2025, across the province.

Pots, pans and books will no longer be accepted because they fall outside the scope of materials producers are responsible for under EPR. These items are either difficult to recycle through curbside systems or are not considered packaging or paper products under the program’s guidelines.

Residents are encouraged to donate these items whenever possible. If reuse is not an option, they should be placed in the garbage or taken to appropriate facilities, such as scrap metal depots.

If an item cannot be recycled curbside, am I required to take that item to a depot?

You may place the item in the garbage. However, the municipality is committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill. We encourage residents to use the depot system as it continues to evolve. Updates will be shared with residents as they become available from Circular Materials. Learn more about depots here.

What if I do not have access to a depot to drop off items that aren’t recyclable curbside?

You may place that item in the garbage. However, the municipality is committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill. We encourage residents to use the depot system as it continues to evolve. Updates will be shared with residents as they become available from Circular Materials. Learn more about depots here.

Is the depot drop-off mandatory?

No, it is not mandatory. Residents are encouraged to bring their non-hazardous aerosol cans, flexible plastics and foam packaging to participating drop off locations for recycling.  If that is not possible, these items may be placed in the garbage. However, the municipality is committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill. We encourage residents to use the depot system as it continues to evolve. Updates will be shared with residents as they become available from Circular Materials.

Who else benefits from this change?

Schools, campgrounds and apartment buildings with seven or more residential units (collectively referred to as ‘facilities’ in the provincial regulations) will also benefit from recycling services provided by Circular Materials at no cost.

While the municipality does not provide collection for multi-unit buildings with seven or more units, Circular Materials will now be responsible for establishing recycling collection services at these facilities. The regulations also require recycling services for schools and campgrounds.

These facilities must register with Circular Materials to access these services. Find out more about:

• Apartment buildings: Here
• Schools: Here
• Campgrounds: Here

How can facilities such as apartments, schools or campgrounds register for this service with Circular Materials?

Facilities must register with Circular Materials to access recycling services:

• Facilities registered before May 31, 2025 will begin receiving service on Dec. 1, 2025.
• A second registration period closes on Nov. 30, 2025, with services starting May 1, 2026 for those properties.

The registry will remain open, and future registration deadlines will be announced by Circular Materials in early 2026. Learn more and register here:

• Apartment buildings: Here
• Schools: Here
• Campgrounds: Here

How much will EPR cost the municipality?

EPR will provide an estimated financial and operational benefit of approximately $5.9 million annually to the municipality. This includes compensation for curbside recycling services and reduced operating costs associated with the municipal recycling facility. The full financial impact will be detailed in the proposed 2026/27 municipal budget.

How does this program impact businesses and the commercial sector?

EPR does not include commercial recyclables collection. Businesses will continue to contract their own waste hauling services for recyclable materials. The Halifax Recycling Facility at 20 Horseshoe Lake Drive, Bayers Lake remains available to receive materials from commercial properties, subject to the applicable tipping fee.

How clean do recyclables need to be?

Why do we bundle cardboard?

Why aren't paper cups recyclable?

How do I dispose of expired food in recyclable containers?

How do I dispose of soiled or dirty paper?

Securely bagged recyclable material may be placed in a blue recycling bin for curbside collection. Loose material is not accepted.

Securely bagged recyclable material may be placed in a blue box for curbside collection. Loose material is not accepted.

Due to Health and Safety concerns, carts are not accepted for curbside collection of recyclable material. Carts require automatic or semi-automatic tipping.

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