Have you ever stood over your blue recycling cart wondering, “Can this go in here, or does it belong in the garbage?”
Good news, Calgary! There are now more household items you can put in your blue cart, making it a little easier to keep recyclable materials out of the landfill.
As of October 1, 2026, Calgary has expanded its list of accepted recycling materials to include certain food packaging, foam products, personal care tubes and aerosol cans.
Let’s take a look at what’s changed!
What Can You Recycle Now?
You may be surprised by some of the new additions to Calgary’s blue cart recycling program.
🥨 Food bags and wrappers
Certain flexible packaging can now go in your blue cart, including snack bags, food wrappers and pouches.
📦 Foam packaging
Have foam egg cartons, meat trays or takeout containers? These are now included in the expanded list of accepted materials.
🧴 Personal care tubes
Empty toothpaste, deodorant and lotion tubes can now be recycled, too.
🌿 Aerosol cans
Empty aerosol containers used for products such as hairspray, dry shampoo, sunscreen and cooking spray are also included.
These are the kinds of everyday items that can easily end up in the garbage simply because we aren't sure what to do with them!
A Few Things to Remember Before Recycling
While the list of accepted materials has grown, a little preparation still matters.
Before placing these items in your blue cart:
Empty them as much as possible. Squeeze out the remaining toothpaste or lotion, and empty aerosol containers according to the city's guidelines.
Keep items clean. Excess food or product residue can create problems during sorting and processing.
Check the guidelines. Not every bag, wrapper, tube or container is necessarily accepted. When in doubt, check the City of Calgary's recycling information.
The goal is to make sure materials can be sorted and processed properly so they have the best chance of being turned into something new.
Why Is Calgary Making This Change?
This expansion is part of Alberta's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) recycling program.
In simple terms, EPR shifts some of the responsibility for managing packaging waste from municipalities and residents to the companies that produce and supply that packaging.
The program is designed to help fund recycling, improve consistency in the materials accepted across Alberta and reduce the amount residents pay toward recycling services.
According to the City of Calgary, single-family households have saved just over $7 per month since the program came into effect in 2025.
It's a good example of how changes to recycling programs can affect both our everyday habits and household costs.
Small Changes at Home Can Make a Difference
At home, it's easy to get into a routine. We toss the cardboard in the blue cart, food scraps in the green cart and everything else in the black cart.
But sometimes, the smallest changes can make us rethink what we throw away.
The next time you finish a tube of toothpaste, open a package or use an aerosol product, take a moment to check whether it can be recycled.
You might discover that something you previously tossed in the garbage now belongs in your blue cart!
And remember, the existing rules for materials such as cardboard, paper, food cans, glass containers and accepted plastic containers have not changed.
Want to Check What Goes Where?
For the most up-to-date information, visit the for details about accepted materials and recycling requirements.
A little knowledge can go a long way toward making recycling easier for everyone.
Let's Keep Calgary Recycling! 💙♻️
Whether you're tidying up your kitchen, organizing your bathroom cupboards or sorting through household packaging, this is a great reminder that small, everyday habits matter.
Here's a question for you: Were you already recycling these items, or is this news to you?