For Residents

Reuse and Plastic Bags in Edmonton

Plastic bags make up 2% of the total volume of recyclables collected in Edmonton. In 2010, the City collected and sold 188 tonnes of film plastic.

Edmonton has one of Canada's most comprehensive recycling programs. All three programs – blue bags for single family homes, blue bins at apartments and community depots – accept plastic bags.

Edmonton was one of the first cities in Canada to introduce curbside recycling in 1988. Plastics bags have been part of the program since the early 90s.

The City of Edmonton encourages residents to reduce waste. Bringing your own reusable bags when you go shopping is the best alternative to plastic bags.

Facts about plastic bags:

Plastic bags make up 2% of the total volume of recyclables collected in Edmonton. In 2010, the City collected and sold 188 tonnes of film plastic.
Plastics of all sorts comprise 7% of the residential waste stream in Edmonton.
Plastic bags are sorted and baled at the City's Materials Recovery Facility. The companies that purchase the bags pelletize them and sell them to manufacturers who use them to make plastic lumber, picnic tables, drainage pipes and garbage cans.