Nova Scotia's recycling costs shift to producers

Nova Scotia is changing its recycling system to follow a policy called extended producer responsibility, or EPR. This shift means that the companies that create packaging and single-use products will now be responsible for funding recycling programs. Previously, local governments funded these programs, which often meant taxpayers were paying some of the costs. Beginning December 1, 2025, these producers will pay to recycle their products instead of municipalities. Producers must register with Divert NS, a non-profit recycling corporation, to comply with the new policy. However, residents will still sort their recyclables in the same way as before. Alanna McPhee from Divert NS believes that residents won’t notice much change in service. The new EPR program is being managed by Circular Materials, a not-for-profit group representing producers. They will handle the recycling services, either by working directly with municipalities or communities, or by hiring recycling collectors. Circular Materials is planning to build several facilities in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to process recyclable materials. Recycling tasks may also expand to include materials that are currently difficult to recycle, like chip bags and snack wrappers. Nova Scotia has already been implementing EPR for electronics since 2008, where producers fund recycling programs instead of local governments. This approach allows for efficient recycling without the burden falling solely on individual consumers.