Province Introduces New Recycling Model

Nova Scotia is transitioning 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 comes 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 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. 

Municipalities of Pictou County and Pictou County Solid Waste have opted into the EPR program, allowing us to:

• Continue managing residential curbside recycling collection

This shift is expected to result in operational cost savings while supporting broader environmental goals to divert more materials from landfills and reduce waste at the source.

What to Expect as a Resident

• Your curbside recycling service will remain familiar and convenient
• Improved recycling rates and better access to recycling services
• Recycling will become more consistent across Nova Scotia, with a standardized list of accepted materials. Please be patient as we continue to update our app and sorting guides during this transition. 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)

Depot drop-off at participating Enviro-Depots :

• 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)

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.  Pictou County Solid Waste 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’s Running the Program?

The new recycling system will be operated by Circular Materials, a national not-for-profit organization designated as the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) for Nova Scotia. Circular Materials will manage the collection, processing, and recycling of packaging and paper products into new materials.

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 Pictou County Solid Waste Facility, 220 Landfill Road, Mount William remains available to receive materials from commercial properties, subject to the applicable tipping fee.