SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): Nova Scotia has officially launched its extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for packaging and paper, marking a major overhaul of the province’s recycling system.
The new program, administered by Circular Materials and effective December 1, brings a unified recycling list to all communities while maintaining Nova Scotia’s long-standing dual-stream blue bag collection model. Residents can now place additional items at the curb, including hot and cold drink cups, toothpaste tubes and other commonly discarded packaging that previously ended up in the trash.
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A major investment linked to the rollout is a new materials recovery facility (MRF) planned by REgroup. Funded by producers under the EPR framework, the advanced facility is scheduled to open in early 2027 and will be built to manage the higher volume and wider range of materials collected through the modernized system.
Nova Scotia’s shift follows recent EPR transitions in Yukon and ongoing changes in Ontario, reflecting a national trend toward producer-funded recycling programs that boost efficiency and expand access. Circular Materials will now manage recycling for single-family homes, more than 25,000 multifamily units, over 120 schools and dozens of campgrounds.
Residents will also gain access to roughly 40 Enviro-Depots, which will accept foam packaging, flexible plastics and aerosol containers that cannot go in curbside bins, further strengthening the province’s recycling network.