New EPR intake period added to ease pressure 

If you are feeling overwhelmed by Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) timelines and the pressure to meet looming deadlines, you are not alone!

Alberta Municipalities, the Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA), and the Government of Alberta met recently to address these concerns and agreed that the addition of another intake period would help alleviate the strain.

The ARMA is introducing an extra intake period to support communities at risk of not finalizing the necessary contractual service agreements with Circular Materials, the Producer Responsibility Organization, to begin single use products, packaging, and printed paper products (PPP) services by April 1, 2025. This additional window of opportunity was designed to assist stakeholders who are experiencing delays, while maintaining strict eligibility criteria to prevent any economic advantage for producers.

Additional intake period

Communities unable to finalize contractual service agreements with Circular Materials by December 31, 2024, will have until March 31, 2025, to take advantage of this additional intake period, with service beginning on July 1, 2025.

Eligibility

This intake period is limited to Phase I communities already registered under the EPR program and actively working to finalize contracts with producers. Communities must notify ARMA if they anticipate needing this intake period to ensure eligibility. 

Community feedback

Member communities are encouraged to keep epr [at] albertarecycling.ca (ARMA) informed about their preparations for EPR and any challenges they may encounter. The ARMA is committed to working with communities to resolve issues and close gaps in service or compliance.