Materials guide
Cell phones
Nearly 96% of materials in a cell phone are recyclable, to safely recycle your unwanted cell phone, contact your wireless provider or local recycling depot.
Empty pesticide containers
A pilot program was established for empty pesticide containers in 1980 by the department in cooperation with municipal authorities. The program has grown since then and now has temporary and permanent collection sites throughout the province.
For more information, see the section on Pesticide Container Collection at:
Plastic bags
All Albertans are encouraged to use re-useable shopping bags and to recycle single-use plastic bags. Check with your local municipality or retailer to see if plastic bags can be recycled in your community.
From 2009 to 2013 Canada’s major grocer, retail and drugstore associations signed a voluntary Memorandum of Understanding with Alberta Environment (now Alberta Environment and Protected Areas) to reduce plastic bag distribution in the province. The links below provide further details on the Memorandum of Understanding and results achieved.
- Alberta Plastic Bag Distribution Reduction Strategy - Annual Report for 2012-2013
- MOU for a Voluntary Strategy to Reduce Plastic Bag Distribution in Alberta
Information for residents
Municipalities are responsible for providing waste and recycling services to its residents. For more information on what you can recycle, contact your municipality.
Information for businesses and municipalities
Review a wide range of fact sheets and manuals for waste management, pollution prevention, conservation and other waste-related topics at: