EPR program for packaging, paper launched in Nova Scotia

Circular Materials, a nonprofit producer responsibility organization (PRO) operating in Nova Scotia, is transitioning the province to an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for packaging and paper.

The PRO, headquartered in Toronto, says the program represents an important milestone in modernizing the province’s recycling system and delivering a more effective program that will improve recovery rates and environmental outcomes.

“Today represents an exciting step forward for Nova Scotia,” Circular Materials CEO Allen Langdon says. “The transition to EPR allows us to build a more consistent and modern recycling system—one that expands what residents can recycle, improves material recovery and keeps valuable materials circulating in the economy. We are proud to support this next chapter in Nova Scotia’s leadership in waste diversion.”

As of Dec. 1, Circular Materials, which also operates in the provinces of New Brunswick, Ontario, Alberta and Yukon, assumes responsibility for the residential recycling program across Nova Scotia, including the collection of recyclable materials from multifamily homes, schools and campgrounds.

Circular Materials says the program will maintain the province’s familiar dual-stream blue bag system, keeping recycling easy and accessible for all residents, while introducing a provincewide uniform material list to ensure residents in every community can recycle the same materials consistently.

The updated material list expands the types of materials accepted in the program, which includes hot and cold beverage cups, pet food bags, frozen juice containers and other paper packaging, as well as plastic packaging such as toothpaste tubes, hand cream tubes and deodorant. The PRO also is partnering with the Eastern Recyclers Association’s network of Enviro-Depots for the collection of foam packaging such as meat trays, flexible plastics such as candy wrappers and chip bags and aerosol containers such as cooking spray cans at participating drop-off locations.

“This is an important milestone for our province,” Minister of Environment and Climate Change Timothy Halman says. “Beginning the transition to extended producer responsibility is one of the most effective ways to reduce what ends up in our landfills. This approach strengthens our circular economy by encouraging producers to design packaging and products that are easier to recycle, repair and reuse.

"We will continue working closely with municipalities, the recycling sector and Nova Scotians throughout this transition to ensure the program is effective, sustainable and supports a greener future for all.”

Circular Materials says it has been working closely with Divert NS, municipalities and Mi’kmaq partners—the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq and the Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq—to prepare for the transition and ensure it is inclusive and seamless for communities across the province.

“This transition is the result of genuine collaboration across the province,” says Andrew Philopoulos, managing director, Atlantic Canada, at Circular Materials. “We’ve engaged extensively with municipalities, First Nations and Divert NS to build a unified approach that strengthens recycling performance and supports communities through this important change.”

Divert NS CEO Stacy Breau says the move to an EPR program represents a “new era” for recycling in the province.

“Through our collaboration with key partners across the waste management sector, we are supporting a smooth transition that will deliver improved outcomes for residents, municipalities and the environment," Breau says.

As part of broader system modernization, Circular Materials recently advanced plans for a new preconditioning recycling facility in Halifax. The facility, owned and operated by REgroup, part of the Municipal Group of Companies, will serve both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and is expected to be operational in early 2027.

Located near the Burnside Industrial Park in Halifax, the facility will feature advanced sorting technologies, including near-infrared optical sorters and advanced imaging systems designed to increase recovery rates and improve material quality, according to Circular Materials. The facility is funded by producers under the EPR framework.

Key details of Nova Scotia’s transition to EPR include:

• The program will operate under the Nova Scotia Readiness Report for Packaging, Paper Products and Packaging-Like Products.
• Thirty-seven fully registered communities or representative organizations are participating in the program.
• Seven First Nations communities are participating in the program. Circular Materials says it is continuing to engage the remaining Mi’kmaq communities to support their participation.
• More than 40 Enviro-Depot drop-off locations collect foam packaging, flexible plastics and aerosols.
• More than 25,000 multifamily units, 125 schools and 33 campgrounds are registered to begin receiving service under Circular Materials. Additional multifamily buildings, schools and campgrounds will come online on May 1, 2026.
• The establishment of an audit center that will evaluate system performance to guide promotion and education efforts and continuous program improvements.

The full material list can be found on Circular Materials' website.