Recycling

Materials guide

Cell phones

Nearly 96% of materials in a cell phone are recyclable. The Recycle My Cell program has set up 315 free collection sites across the province to help Albertans conveniently dispose of unwanted devices in an environmentally responsible manner. To find a drop-off location near you visit:

• Recycle My Cell

In 2011, Alberta Environment (now Alberta Environment and Protected Areas) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association to formalize the Recycle My Cell program in Alberta and to identify performance indicators to measure overall performance.

The Memorandum of Understanding has now concluded; however, the Recycle My Cell program continues to operate and provides Albertans with an opportunity to recycle their unwanted cell phones. The link below provides further details on the Memorandum of Understanding and results achieved.

• MOU for a Voluntary Stewardship Program to Increase Mobile Device Recycling in Alberta

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, please see the section on Pesticide Container Collection at:

• Dealing with Pesticide Waste

Plastic bags

All Albertans are encouraged to use re-useable shopping bags and to recycle single-use plastic bags. Please 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 (PDF, 493 KB)
• 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:

• Waste legislation and resources