How you recycle: Curbside blue bag recycling
What to do: Continue following the current Wednesday collection schedule and recycling instructions until Parkland County provides updated information.
Recycling Changes Effective October 1, 2026
Parkland County's recycling program is changing as part of Alberta's enhanced recycling system. Starting October 1, 2026, you will be able to recycle more types of packaging and paper at the curb and at transfer stations and recycling depots.
The new accepted-material list does not take effect until October 1, 2026, so keep recycling the way you do now:
- Residents in Entwistle, Wabamun, and Big Lake Area will continue to use curbside recycling.
- Other Parkland County residents will continue to take recyclables to transfer stations or approved recycling drop-off locations.
What's changing?
Starting October 1, 2026, Alberta will use one province-wide list for packaging and paper recycling. Circular Materials, a national not-for-profit organization, will manage the program on behalf of the companies that supply packaging and paper products.
At recycling depots, accepted recyclables will be collected together and sorted later at specialized facilities. This is called single-stream recycling.
What applies to me?
How you recycle: Curbside blue bag recycling
What to do: Continue following the current Monday collection schedule. Circular Materials already manages the existing blue bag program in Wabamun. Beginning October 1, 2026, the list of accepted recyclable materials will expand.
How you recycle: Curbside blue bag recycling
What to do: Continue following the current bi-weekly Friday collection schedule until updated information is provided.
All Other Parkland County Residents
How you recycle: Transfer stations and approved recycling drop-off locations
What to do: Continue following current recycling depot requirements until September 30, 2026. Beginning October 1, 2026, accepted recyclable materials can be placed together and should be deposited according to new signage and staff directions.
New materials that will be accepted effective October 1, 2026
Cardboard boxes: Pizza boxes, direct-mail boxes, moving boxes, and shoe boxes. Empty and flatten. Pieces must be no larger than 60 by 60 centimetres.
Boxboard: Cereal boxes, tissue boxes, egg cartons, and rolls from toilet paper and paper towel. Empty and flatten.
Paper: Paper of any colour, including flour bags, prescription bags, paper produce bags, notepads, loose paper, file folders, printed materials, community newspapers, flyers, brochures, magazines, greeting cards, envelopes, and gift boxes.
Put shredded paper in a tied clear plastic bag. Remove elastic bands and rope handles. Do not include soft- or hard-covered books or novels.
Paper laminate packaging: Pet food bags, food-service paper bags, and paper plates. Empty.
Paper laminate containers: Spiral cans, cookie-dough containers, ice cream containers, and hot and cold beverage cups. Empty and remove lids.
Cartons: Molasses and sugar cartons, laundry and cleaning cartons, and soup and sauce cartons. Empty and keep lids and caps on.
Plastic containers: Laundry detergent and household-cleaner jugs; shampoo, body wash, salad-dressing, condiment, dish-soap, and mouthwash bottles; food trays; salad, yogurt, peanut-butter, bakery, and egg containers; plastic cups, tubs, and lids; toothpaste and hand-cream tubes; deodorant containers; hand-sanitizer bottles; small packaging; and plant pots. Empty and keep lids and caps on.
Flexible plastic packaging: Dry-cleaning bags, bread bags, newspaper and flyer bags, overwrap from paper towel, toilet paper and beverage containers, coffee bags, deli pouches, chip bags, bubble wrap, snack wrappers, cereal-liner bags, and plastic gift bags.
Foam packaging: Meat trays, takeout containers, cups, plates, bowls, and protective foam packaging. Empty. Remove film wrap and absorbent pads from meat trays.
Metal containers: Food cans, metal lids, and candle, cookie, coffee, and tea tins. Rinse and dry.
Aluminum foil and trays: Aluminum foil, pie plates, and frozen-food trays. Empty and ball up foil.
Aerosol containers: Food spray, hairspray, air freshener, shaving cream, and deodorant containers. Empty and keep lids and caps on.
Glass containers: Clear and coloured food containers, jars and bottles, cosmetic containers, spice bottles, and oil and vinegar bottles.
Empty and remove lids and caps.
How to prepare your recycling
- Empty containers: Food and liquid must be removed before an item goes in recycling
- Follow the lid rule: Keep lids and caps on plastic containers, cartons, and empty aerosol containers. Remove lids and caps from glass containers and paper laminate containers
- Flatten cardboard: Cardboard must be flattened and no larger than 60 by 60 centimetres
- Bag only shredded paper: Put shredded paper in a tied clear plastic bag. Other accepted materials should follow the local curbside or depot instructions
- Handle special items carefully: Ball up aluminum foil. Remove film and absorbent pads from foam meat trays
Common items that do not go in recycling
- Books and novels
- Batteries, electronics, household hazardous waste, pesticides, or flammable products
- Broken glass, ceramics, windows, or drinking glasses
- Diapers
- Plastic cutlery, straws, and coffee pods
- Toys, cookware, and other household products that are not packaging
FAQs
The expanded material list and single-stream depot system start October 1, 2026. Follow current Parkland County rules until September 30.
Will my curbside collection day change?
Continue using your current collection calendar until Parkland County provides an update.
Do I have to sort recyclables?
Curbside recyclables continue to go together in the local blue bag. Starting October 1, residents using transfer stations and depots will no longer need to sort accepted materials by type.
Will residents pay for the new program?
The provincial packaging and paper program is funded by the companies that supply those materials. No change to Parkland County taxes or local fees apply.
Blue bag:
For inquiries related to Blue Bag recycling including missed pick-up, please contact Integrity Waste Solutions by email at info@integritysolutions.ca or via phone at 780-437-5000.
Garbage and organics:
Contact Parkland County directly regarding missed pickups or any other collection concerns by email at hello@parklandcounty.com or by phone at 780-968-8888.
Visit Circular Materials' Alberta for provincial program information.
