New Nova Scotia Recycling Program

Nova Scotia is updating its recycling program to create a more efficient, consistent, and sustainable system across the province.
The transition begins December 1.

What This Means for Residents:

Enhanced Curbside Recycling

Residents will now benefit from expanded recycling options at the curb:

• More items accepted in your recycling bags
• Consistent sorting rules across Nova Scotia
• No curbside limits for recyclable bags or bundles

Changes to Accepted Materials

A few items will shift in how they’re collected:

• Books will no longer be accepted in curbside recycling
• Styrofoam will move to a drop-off only option — the same applies to non-hazardous aerosols and flexible plastics.

New Additions to Your Blue Bags

With more items now accepted curbside, this is a great time to refresh your sorting habits. Explore the newly updated Waste Wizard to see everything that’s changed.

Here are a couple of notable new additions:

• Microwave popcorn bags — empty and place with your paper recycling.
• Drive-thru coffee cups — empty, separate the cup and lid, and place both in your containers bag.

There are hundreds of items in the Waste Wizard—so make sure to give your recycling a “double-double” check!