AB
Alberta Multi-Family Dwelling Recycling
Expanded recycling services for multi-family dwellings coming in 2026
Circular Materials is excited to expand Alberta’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) recycling program for packaging and paper products to multi-family dwellings (MFDs) starting October 1, 2026, making recycling more accessible for residents.
This multi-family registry will support Circular Materials in determining service requirements, allocating resources efficiently, and ensuring a seamless delivery of recycling services:
- Expansion to multi-family dwellings (MFDs) that do not currently receive service and who have registered by October 1, 2025, will transition for October 1, 2026.
- MFDs interested in recycling services can register through our online registry.
- Registration will remain open for additional intake periods which will occur quarterly.
Key dates
Intake period 1 (Closed):
- June 26, 2025: Registration opens.
- October 1, 2025: First intake period registration closes.
- October 1, 2026: Recycling service begins for those buildings who registered by October 1, 2025.
Intake period 2:
- October 2, 2025: Registration open for second intake period.
- December 31, 2025: Second intake period registration closes.
- January 1, 2027: Recycling service begins for those buildings who registered by December 31, 2025.
Intake period 3:
- January 1, 2026: Registration open for third intake period.
- March 31, 2026: Third intake period registration closes.
- April 1, 2027: Recycling service begins for those buildings who registered by March 31, 2026.
Intake period 4:
- April 1, 2026: Registration open for fourth intake period.
- June 30, 2026: Fourth intake period registration closes.
- July 1, 2027: Recycling service begins for those buildings who registered by June 30, 2026.
Intake period 5:
- July 1, 2026: Registration open for the fifth intake period.
- September 30, 2026: Fifth intake period registration closes.
- October 1, 2027: Recycling service begins for those buildings who registered by September 30, 2026.
Registry Communications Toolkit
A communications toolkit with materials and resources to promote the registry is available for download. It contains a one-pager overview about timeline and the registry, pre-written social media post with corresponding visuals and hashtags, and digital posters.
We encourage you to share elements of the toolkit with your network and in your community. We are open to collaborating on joint communications. Please contact us at communications@circularmaterials.ca
Previous information sessions
Watch the recordings and download the presentations from previous information sessions.
Who is eligible
A multi-unit building or building complex may qualify if it is not currently receiving residential PPP (paper, plastic, and packaging) recycling services provided by its municipality (e.g., town, city, village, or municipal district). Eligibility scenarios include:
- The community is registered with ARMA for EPR.
- The building or complex already receives garbage collection.
- Recycling services are provided by private contractors instead of the municipality.
- No recycling services are provided at all.
- Recycling services are organized and paid for by a condominium board, HOA (Home Owners Association), or apartment building owner, rather than through the municipality.
Eligible building types include: apartment buildings, condominium buildings, condominium town homes, trailer parks/ mobile home complexes, single-family homes part of a Resident Association (RA)/ Home Owners Association (HOA), senior living/active living community buildings.
As per the regulation, institutional and visitor accommodations are NOT eligible to receive services through this program. These include:
- Licensed care facilities, long-term care buildings.
- Schools, student residences.
- Hospitals.
- Hotel/motels.
- Campgrounds.
How the program works
MFD property owners and managers who are interested in recycling services can register via our online registry.
Once registered, your MFD information will be shared with Circular Materials’ recycling collector for the respective region or sector.
The recycling collector will then contact the property owner or manager to discuss next steps and may arrange a site visit.
Multi-family services that would be covered by Circular Materials:
- Contract management: Circular Materials will hire a third-party contractor. This helps establish the system in the province and ensures consistent service levels.
- Collection and bins: frequency of collection and the bin types may change depending on what is best for your building type and the contractor that Circular Materials works with. At minimum, we want to maintain the same level of service that you receiving.
- Promotion and education: Circular Materials will manage all promotion and education (P&E) strategies and implementation to residents.
Circular materials will be fully financially responsible and will manage all contracts.
For more information, please email ABoperations@circularmaterials.ca
Download the multi-family registry and overview which includes helpful resources and frequently asked questions.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Property owners or managers of MFDs in Alberta who wish to receive curbside recycling services should register. If your building is already receiving recycling collection service through the residential program, you do not need to register.
A “facility” (Multi-family) is a building or complex with multiple separate residential units, like an apartment building, Home Owners Association, trailer park or a condo. It does not include places meant for visitors, such as hotels, camp grounds or institutions.
If you own or manage multiple properties, please complete the registration form by downloading the Excel form, completing the addresses and information for each building you own or manage. Once completed, please upload the sheet to the registration form.
Once submitted, our team will review your information and follow up if additional details are required. For any questions, please contact ABoperations@circularmaterials.ca
You will need to provide property owner contact details, registered business number and building information to ensure the smooth setup of recycling services.
After registering, Circular Materials will contact you to discuss the next steps and may arrange a site visit.
The deadlines shown under the Key Dates section are intended for the first intake period. Additional registration intake periods will be announced at a later date. If you have further questions about deadlines, please contact ABOperations@circularmaterials.ca.
If you choose not to provide consent for the collection and use of your personal information, we will not be able to process your registration for recycling services under the EPR program. The information collected is essential for managing service delivery and fulfilling regulatory obligations. If you have any concerns or would like more information about how your data will be used, please contact us at privacy@circularmaterials.ca.
This webpage will serve as the central hub for all information related to the MFDs recycling program. It will be regularly updated with the latest details, deadlines, and guidance.
Joining the EPR program allows property owners, managers, and residents in MFDs (MFDs) to play a key role in improving recycling outcomes across Alberta. By participating, you will:
– Increase recycling participation within your property, making it easier for everyone to recycle.
– Reduce contamination in recycling streams, ensuring more materials are properly processed and recycled.
– Contribute to sustainability by creating a cleaner, more efficient recycling system that benefits both the environment and the community.
This program helps make recycling easier and more effective for everyone.