A person carries a blue bag full of recyclables on Windmill Road in Dartmouth on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Photo by Tim Krochak /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentThe cost of recycling packaging and paper products in Nova Scotia will switch from the taxpayers’ pockets to the companies that produce, import or sell those materials.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentOn Dec. 1, the province will move to an extended producer responsibility (EPR) model. Producers of packaging and paper and single-use products will pay to recycle them.Article contentArticle contentRight now, recycling programs in Nova Scotia are funded by municipalities, and taxpayers have to cover some of the cost.Article contentArticle content“This is an important milestone for our province,” Timothy Halman, the minister of environment and climate change, said in a news release. “One of the best ways to cut down on what ends up in landfills is through extended producer responsibility programs.Article content“This approach helps build a stronger circular economy by encouraging producers to design products and packaging that are easier to recycle, repair and reuse.”Article contentWill residents notice a difference in their curb-side collection?Article contentThe short answer: no.Article contentRecyclable materials will continue to be collected on the curb, separated and sent to end markets.Article contentResidents will have the same contracted service provider, collection day and customer support available through 311 and the Halifax Recycles app.Article contentWhat items will be added to the curbside recycling program?Article contentProvincial regulations determine which materials are accepted for recycling. The following items will be added to the list of accepted items in blue bag curbside recycling:Article contentArticle contentMulti-layer paper containers including paper cups (including disposable paper hot and cold beverage cups), paper bowls, ice cream cartons, cookie dough spiral cans, frozen juice spiral cans and potato chip spiral cans.Plastic tubes, including toothpaste, deodorant and hand cream containers.Small-item plastic packaging, such as bottles and pumps, candy and gum containers, pails, garden pots and seedling trays.Article contentWhat items will no longer be accepted in the curbside recycling program?Article contentThe Nova Scotia government will prohibit books and pots and pans from curbside recycling.Article contentIn a news release, the province said books “can be donated to community library boxes (and/or) thrift shops, or shared with others to be reused.” Pots and pans can be “donated or taken to a scrap metal depot.” If alternate options are not possible, the items may be included in curbside garbage collection.
Who pays for recycling in Nova Scotia? For packaging and paper products, it wont be taxpayers
