Circular Materials, a producer-led, not-for-profit organization operating in Nova Scotia, is transitioning the province to extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging and paper— an important milestone in modernizing Nova Scotia’s recycling system and delivering a more effective program that will improve recovery rates and environmental outcomes.
“Today represents an exciting step forward for Nova Scotia,” said Allen Langdon, CEO of Circular Materials. “The transition to EPR allows us to build a more consistent and modern recycling system—one that expands what residents can recycle, improves material recovery, and keeps valuable materials circulating in the economy. We are proud to support this next chapter in Nova Scotia’s leadership in waste diversion.”
As of December 1, 2025, Circular Materials assumes responsibility for the residential recycling program across the province, including the collection of recyclable materials from multi-family dwellings, schools, and campgrounds.
The program will maintain Nova Scotia’s familiar dual-stream blue bag system, keeping recycling easy and accessible for all residents, while introducing a province-wide uniform material list to ensure residents in every community can recycle the same materials consistently.
The updated list expands the types of materials accepted in the program to include hot and cold beverage cups, pet food bags, frozen juice containers and other paper packaging, as well as plastic packaging such as toothpaste tubes, hand cream tubes, and deodorant. Circular Materials is also partnering with the Eastern Recyclers Association’s network of Enviro-Depots for the collection of foam packaging such as meat trays, flexible plastics such as candy wrappers and chip bags, and aerosol containers such as cooking spray cans at participating drop-off locations. Residents can view the full material list at circularmaterials.ca/NS.
“This is an important milestone for our province,” said Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “Beginning the transition to extended producer responsibility is one of the most effective ways to reduce what ends up in our landfills. This approach strengthens our circular economy by encouraging producers to design packaging and products that are easier to recycle, repair and reuse. We will continue working closely with municipalities, the recycling sector and Nova Scotians throughout this transition to ensure the program is effective, sustainable and supports a greener future for all.”
Circular Materials has been working closely with Divert NS, municipalities and Mi’kmaq partners—the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq and the Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq—to prepare for this transition and ensure it is inclusive and seamless for communities across the province.
As part of broader system modernization, Circular Materials has recently advanced plans for a new state-of-the-art pre-conditioning recycling facility in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The facility, owned and operated by REgroup, part of the Municipal Group of Companies, will serve both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and is expected to be operational in early 2027.
Located near the Burnside Industrial Park (Halifax Regional Municipality), the facility will feature advanced sorting technologies, including near-infrared (NIR) optical sorters and advanced imaging systems designed to increase recovery rates and improve material quality. Funded by producers under the EPR framework, this investment will have an important role in enhancing recycling performance and delivering benefits to residents and communities across the region.
Key facts about Nova Scotia’s transition to EPR:
The program will operate under the Nova Scotia Readiness Report for Packaging, Paper Products and Packaging-Like Products.
- 37 fully registered communities or representative organizations are participating in the program.
- 7 First Nations communities are participating in the program. Circular Materials continues engagement with the remaining Mi’kmaq communities to support their participation in the program.
- 40+ Enviro-Depot drop-off locations collect foam packaging, flexible plastics, and aerosols.
- 25,000+ multi-family units, 125 schools, and 33 campgrounds are registered to begin receiving service under Circular Materials. Additional multi-family buildings, schools, and campgrounds will come online on May 1, 2026.
- The establishment of an audit center will evaluate system performance to guide promotion and education efforts and continuous program improvements.
The uniform material list can be viewed at circularmaterials.ca/NS.
