Continue the campaign to modernize Alberta’s recycling regulatory framework!

While municipalities in other parts of Canada are saving money thanks to modern recycling programs that shift costs to producers and consumers of waste, Alberta’s municipalities are struggling to reduce waste in an antiquated system. In 2013, public consultations held by the Government of Alberta showed strong municipal support for the expansion of Alberta’s electronics, tires, paint, and used oil recycling programs, and for regulatory changes that offer these programs the flexibility to keep pace with the cost of maintaining them.

In 2017, AUMA launched a letter writing campaign to help municipalities advocate for these goals through better provincial recycling programs. Thanks to the efforts raised by members through sending letters to MLAs, efforts began gaining attention and several Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) raised concerns about Alberta’s recycling programs during question period of the spring session of legislature.

However, to date, these recent discussions and amendments to the Alberta Used Oil Management Association have not adequately addressed these concerns.

In an effort to elevate these issues further, and enhance recycling programs over all in Alberta, AUMA has updated the recycling campaign letter to reflect advocating for Extended Producer Responsibility regulations for paper and packaging materials, and developing a policy on emerging waste such as agricultural plastics in line with motions adopted at Municipal Leaders’ Caucus in the spring.

AUMA encourages all members to join its updated letter writing campaign calling for modernization to Alberta’s recycling regulatory framework by sending the new letter to your MLA.