The Town of Antigonish is advising residents of changes to recycling as the Province of Nova Scotia implements new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations for packaging and paper products, effective Monday, December 1, 2025. 

These provincial regulations shift the financial responsibility for recycling from residents to producers, the companies that create, import, or sell packaging and paper products

 

Service Provider & Collection Schedule

Under the new system, the Town of Antigonish is not the recycling service provider.

Recycling services will be managed by Circular Materials, a national not-for-profit organization responsible for overseeing the collection and processing of accepted materials.

Circular Materials has contracted GFL for curbside collection, which is the same service provider previously used by the Town. Circular Materials has confirmed that the existing curbside collection schedule is being maintained.

What’s Changing for Residents 

Beginning December 1, several new items will be accepted in blue-bag curbside recycling. These items must be placed in the blue bag and not in clear-bag waste. New accepted materials include:

 

Multi-layer paper containers:

• Paper hot and cold beverage cups
• Paper bowls
• Ice cream cartons
• Cookie dough spiral cans
• Frozen juice spiral cans
• Potato chip–style spiral cans

Plastic tubes: 

• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Hand cream containers

Small plastic packaging:

• Small bottles and pumps
• Candy or gum containers
• Small pails
• Garden pots
• Seedling trays

 

Materials No Longer Accepted in Curbside Recycling

• Books (donate where possible)
• Pots and Pans (donate or take to a scrap metal depot)

If none of the alternative disposal options are possible, these items may be placed in clear-bag waste. 

 

Depot-Only Items

The following items will not be collected curbside but will be accepted at participating depot drop-off locations:

• Foam packaging (e.g., meat trays, takeout containers)
• Flexible plastics (e.g., coffee pouches, chip bags, bubble wrap, cereal liners)
• Non-hazardous aerosol cans (e.g., hairspray, shaving cream) 

 

Personal Collection Calendar

Residents are encouraged to check their waste and compost collection schedule using the Town’s online waste calendar tool.

For recyclables, residents should refer to the collection schedule provided directly by Circular Materials, as they are responsible for managing recycling under the EPR program. This ensures residents have the most up-to-date information if changes occur before they are reflected on the Town’s website.

 

More Information

The Town of Antigonish will continue to share updates as more information is provided by Circular Materials.

For full details, visit the Town of Antigonish Residential Waste Management Page