Red Deer to explore becoming contracted service provider under EPR policy
Back-end changes could be coming to Red Deer’s recycling system as city council has opted to participate in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a policy implemented by the provincial government to shift end of life product management from municipalities to producers.
EPR legislation was enacted in 2022 and council registered the City in 2023 so it could have a seat at the table during the transition process. The intent of the EPR is to create consistency in recycling across the province, meaning all residents would have a comparable list of what can be recycled, and potentially reduce municipal expenses on the matter.
Under the EPR policy, Red Deer has the option to participate as a contracted service provider or turn operations over to the program.
In the Sept. 3 regular council meeting, council unanimously agreed to remain registered under the EPR, and directed administration to prepare a report of the costs, benefits, and risks of becoming a contracted service provider. This report is expected to be completed and return to council in Q4 of 2024.