Curbside recycling is now available to multi-family residences, schools and new communities that were previously depot-based or without any recycling services across New Brunswick.
Circular Materials, a not-for-profit organization that supports producers in advancing recycling, announced the expansion of the extended producer responsibility program (EPR) for packaging and paper.
“New Brunswick is leading the way as the first Atlantic province to transition to extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper, and we are proud to continue the important progress in the province,” said Allen Langdon, CEO of Circular Materials. “This expansion reflects the power of collaboration—between producers, governments, First Nations, and communities—to build a strong circular economy that benefits all New Brunswickers.”
To date, 14 of New Brunswick’s 15 First Nation communities have either transitioned or are in the process of transitioning to the program. This includes Oromocto First Nation and St. Mary’s First Nation, both of which are joining the latest rollout.
“This expansion is an important step forward in ensuring that First Nation communities are included in province-wide environmental initiatives,” said Jim Ward, General Manager North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council. “Through our collaboration with Circular Materials, we’ve worked to make sure that access to recycling is available and responsive to the unique needs of our Mi’kmaq communities. We value this partnership as a step toward long-term environmental sustainability, community empowerment, and ensuring that Indigenous voices are reflected in the design and delivery of recycling systems across the province.”
As of May 1, 2025, more than 20,000 new households across the province will have access to curbside recycling collection for the first time. This includes households in Grand Bay-Westfield (Ward 1), Hampton’s Ward 2, Oromocto, Oromocto First Nation, Grand Manan, White Head Island in the Southwest Rural District, and the Meductic region in Lakeland Ridges.
A total of 133 schools have joined the program, while nearly 10,000 multi-family dwellings units joined as part of phase 1 of the rollout. Residents are now receiving direct recycling collection services through their building.
Looking ahead, New Brunswick’s EPR program will continue to expand, with the next phase of school and multi-family integration planned for November 1, 2025. Schools and multi-family dwellings can register to be included in phase 2 on the Circular Materials website before May 31, 2025.
Additionally, the launch of recycling in public spaces is targeted for 2027. A new five-year Stewardship Plan will be submitted to Recycle NB by the end of June.
Feature photo from left to right: Mayor Robert Powell, Town of Oromocto; Timothy Leblanc, CEO, Recycle NB; Erik Matchett, Board Chair, Recycle NB; Bill Nash, Director of Community Public Works, Waste Management and Recycling, St. Mary’s (Sitansisk) First Nation; Mary Wilson, MLA for Oromocto-Sunbury; Gilles LePage, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Government of New Brunswick; Allen Langdon, CEO, Circular Materials; Elder Joe Paul, Oromocto First Nation; and Andrew Philopoulos, Managing Director – Atlantic Canada, Circular Materials
