FR

Advancing the circular economy

About Circular Materials

We create efficient and effective recycling systems

We are a national not-for-profit producer responsibility organization that represents the evolution to a more circular economy where materials are collected, recycled and returned to producers for use as recycled content in new products and packaging

Our services

We are advancing the circular economy – where materials are collected, recycled and returned to producers for use as recycled content in new products and packaging. As an organization focused on building enhanced recycling systems, we ensure more materials are looped into the circular economy, benefiting both people and the environment.

Recycling program design and implementation

We create recycling programs to help producers meet regulatory obligations.

Recycling supply chain operations

We create procurement frameworks and manage contracts across the supply chain.

Regulatory reporting and analytics

We report on program performance, including tonnes collected, recovery rates, emissions and financial results, following provincial audit rules.

Producer registration and reporting

We have a dedicated team to support producer onboarding, education, program registration and reporting.

Costing and fee-setting

We create innovative fee models to meet regulations, determining each material’s share of recycling program costs.

Information technology and systems

We use secure, scalable technology to provide platforms that help producers, service providers, and our team optimize efficiency across programs.

Financial and administrative services

We provide financial and administrative services like invoicing, claims verification, accounts payable, financial reporting and audit management.

Promotion and education

We provide clear, compelling and best-practice consumer promotion and education initiatives that increase recycling rates and drive results.

What is extended producer responsibility?

Extended producer responsibility, or EPR, is a policy approach in which producers – the businesses that supply packaging and paper – are responsible for the end-of-life management of their materials.

Continuous improvement
A commitment to continuous improvement and fostering responsible recycling helps achieve higher recycling rates over time.

A commitment to continuous improvement and fostering responsible recycling helps achieve higher recycling rates over time.

A standardized list of collected materials for recycling in the province (and across the country if possible) achieves economies of scale and program efficiencies, while providing clarity for residents.

Producers must have the autonomy to design a recycling system that respects local conditions (such as geography, population densities, etc.) while maximizing efficiency and optimizing environmental performance.

Regulations must be designed for fairness. All obligated producers need to participate and regulators must be prepared to take appropriate enforcement action to support compliance with the regulation.

Materials must pay their own way in the recycling system. Higher-value materials should not cross-subsidize lower-value materials.

Producer responsibility program operators and service providers are held accountable, meaning that operators, collectors, transporters, recyclers and processors of end-of-life products/materials are auditable and accountable for their performance.

Appropriate standards are established so that collectors, transporters, recyclers and processors can demonstrate their compliance with international, federal and provincial laws and industry standards where applicable.

Our presence across Canada

Alberta’s transition to Extended Producer Responsibility starts on April 1, 2025.

Recycling programs began the shift to the new framework on November 1, 2023.

The transition to the new recycling framework began on December 1, 2025.

Blue Box programs will shift to a new framework betweenJuly 1, 2023 – December 31, 2025.

Our founders

Latest news

landscape image of Yukon territory

April 21, 2025

Key milestone reached in the Yukon’s transition to extended producer responsibility

On February 1, 2025, the Government of Yukon’s Department of Environment approved the Yukon Stewardship Plan for Packaging, Paper and Single-Use Products. This marks a significant milestone for the Yukon’s transition to full extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging and paper products, set to launch on November 1, 2025.

April 16, 2025

Circular Materials joins the Circular Plastics Taskforce

The Circular Plastics Taskforce (CPT) announced the expansion of its membership with the addition of Circular Materials on April 16, 2025.

March 31, 2025

Circular Materials marks key milestone in enhancing recycling across Alberta

On April 1, Circular Materials will launch Phase 1 of extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging and paper products in Alberta.