In general, paper, cardboard, metal cans and plastic containers #1 through 7 go into the reusable recycling bag.

• Plastic containers labelled with a #1-7 (e.g. plastic bottles or containers like peanut butter, condiments, shampoo and detergent bottles)
• Cardboard and boxboard (cereal, shoe and tissue boxes)
• Clean pizza boxes
• Newspapers, magazines, junk mail and mixed paper
• Metal cans (e.g. soup and coffee cans)
• Clean foil pie plates and serving trays
• Shredded paper – must be contained in a clear plastic bag

Exceptions: Glass bottles and jars. Glass can be taken to the recycling drop-off depots.

For instructions on what to do with specific items, click on the Waste Sorting Tool at the top of this page and enter the name of the item.

Use the reusable recycling bag to store your recyclables and when it is full, carry it to your building’s waste recycling area and empty the recycling into the shared bin or cart. Take the empty bag back home to use for more recycling.

The bag is machine washable in a cold, gentle cycle. For more details check the care tag sewn into the inside of the bag.

The bags are made of 100% post-consumer recycled content. Each bag helps give a new life to the equivalent of three plastic bottles. Using recycled content is an important step in ensuring the sustainability of recycling programs.

Ask your building manager for a bag. If they are out of bags, they can contact the City to order more.

No, place recycling loose into the bin or cart. The facility where Red Deer’s recycling is sorted is not designed to handle these clear blue plastic bags or any type of plastic bag or plastic film. The only exception is for shredded paper. Shredded paper must be contained in a clear plastic bag in order to be accepted in the recycling program.

In the past the cost of collecting, sorting and processing recycling was the responsibility of municipalities, and the cost was passed on to residents. This changed on April 1, 2025 with the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The cost of recycling is now the responsibility of the producers (manufacturers) that put paper and packaging products (PPP) into the marketplace. It may be called PPP in the legislation, but it is the same items the City of Red Deer calls recycling.

Residents will see no change in their cart collection schedule, what is accepted in their Blue Cart or recycling bin, or what is accepted at the Recycling Drop-off Depots. The only change is residents or landlords will no longer be charged for recycling collection on their utility bills.

• Kitchen food waste
• Pet waste
• Yard waste
• Styrofoam packaging and food trays
• Disposable diapers
• Plastic bags, food wrap or bubble wrap
• Gift wrap, tissue paper and ribbons
• Wet wipes and cotton swabs
• Disposable coffee cups (paper or Styrofoam)
• Parchment paper, tinfoil and waxed paper
• Ceramics, broken dishes
• Multi-material packaging (e.g. chip bags, frozen food trays, deodorant, toothpaste tubes and pet food bags)
• Unnumbered plastics (e.g. toys, dishes and cutlery)
• Straws
• Non-refundable tetra packs

Exceptions: Household hazardous waste, paint, batteries, electronic waste and fluorescent lights must be dropped off at the Waste Management Facility for proper disposal. Details can be found on the Waste Management Facility webpage.

For instruction on what to do with specific items, enter the name of the item in the Waste Sorting Tool at the top of this page.

No. The City is not providing Green Cart service to multi-family properties as this time.

Contact your property’s Site Manager.

• Give new residents a reusable recycling bag and information card when they move in.
• Hang the posters provided by The City near recycling bins or carts, garbage bins and in common areas such as laundry rooms, social rooms and near the mailboxes. Replace damaged or missing posters.
• Ensure the waste collection area is kept clean, tidy and organized. If the bins or carts are overflowing before collection day, call The City to discuss solutions.
• Call The City to discuss ways to make your building’s waste program even better than it is now.

Contact The City or print the What Goes Where? - information card (pdf) or Multi-family Recycling posters (pdf).

In the past the cost of collecting, sorting and processing recycling was the responsibility of municipalities, and the cost was passed on to residents or property owners. This changed on April 1, 2025, with the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The cost of recycling is now the responsibility of the producers (manufacturers) that put paper and packaging products (PPP) into the marketplace. It may be called PPP in the legislation, but it is the same items the City of Red Deer calls recycling.

Residents, property managers, condominium boards and owners of multi-family properties will see no change in their cart collection schedule, what is accepted in their Blue Cart or recycling bin, or what is accepted at the Recycling Drop-off Depots. The only change they will see is there will be no recycling charge on their utility bill.

There is no need for Red Deer multi-family property residents or owners to register for EPR. Multi-family properties in municipalities including Red Deer that provided recycling collection prior to the implementation of EPR on April 1, 2025, do not need to register for EPR.

The City offers two, three, four, six or eight cubic yard bins.

You choose how often you want the garbage bin emptied, as frequently as six time per week or as infrequ4estnly as once per week, or something in between. 

In addition to your regularly scheduled service, you can request the bin be emptied an extra time, for a fee, when needed.

You can request a metal lid, a lock, castors, an extra lift or bin cleaning. A fee will be charged for these services.

Additional information on the service offered and prices can be found at Utility Bylaw 3606/2018 - Schedule E -Waste Management Rates

For overflowing garbage, call The City and request an extra pick up. There is a charge for this service.

For overflowing recycling, call The City to discuss getting a larger bin or more recycling carts.

Contact The City.

Phone: 403-340-BLUE (2583)
Email: recycling@reddeer.ca 

Contact The City:

Phone: 403-340-BLUE (2583)
Email: recycling@reddeer.ca