12/01/2025
Nova Scotia's Enviro-Depot system is changing with the introduction of Circular Materials' enhanced, province-wide recycling program, which began on December 1, 2025.
Key changes
Include a standardized list of accepted materials across all municipalities, new items accepted at curbside, and new items now requiring drop-off at Enviro-Depots. Some items that must now be dropped off at depots include foam packaging, flexible plastics like chip bags, and aerosol cans.
What's new for Enviro-Depots
New drop-off items:
You can now take new items to participating depots, such as foam packaging (meat trays, takeout containers) and flexible plastics (chip bags, candy wrappers, cereal liners).
Aerosol cans: Non-hazardous aerosol cans, like those for cooking spray and hairspray, are now eligible for drop-off at Enviro-Depots.
These items (below) **DO NOT GO TO Enviro Depots**
What's new for curbside?
More accepted items for Bluebag curbside pick up: The list of materials for curbside collection has expanded to include new items like disposable paper cups, frozen juice cans, and plastic tubes (e.g., toothpaste, deodorant, and hand cream).
Items no longer accepted: Some items previously collected curbside will no longer be accepted, such as books and pots/pans.
Key features of the new system
Consistency: The new system ensures that residents can recycle the same materials regardless of their municipality.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): The program is a provincial EPR initiative that shifts the responsibility for recycling packaging and paper products to the producers of those items, not the municipalities.
Curbside service: Curbside collection services and rules will generally remain the same, with the program changes focusing on what materials are accepted and how they are processed.
Any Question Call 311 (Metro Information Line), they can tell you everything from what you owe in Property Tax to what you can put in your Blue Bags.
Send a message to learn more
