Alberta leads Canada in recycling beverage containers

According to new data, Alberta is back on top as the province that recycles the most.

The province says it’s the first time since Prince Edward Island took over top honours in 2022 that Alberta has recycled the most.

In 2024, Albertans recycled over two billion cans, bottles, and other containers, meaning that around 85 per cent of all non-refillable beverage containers were returned.

The national average was around 76 per cent, and Sasaktchewan and British Columbia weren’t far off Alberta’s return percentage as both provinces brought in 84 and 83 per cent, respectively.

“Alberta’s leadership in beverage container recycling is a testament to the strength of our industry-led system. As the operator of the system, Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation works closely with manufacturers, depots, and partners across the province to ensure beverage containers are collected, processed and reintegrated into the circular economy. This achievement reflects the commitment of Albertans to recycling and the ongoing innovation that drives our system forward,” said Ken White, a board chair of the Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation (ABCRC).

Not only does Alberta rank as the best province, but it’s also second place in all of North America behind the State of Oregon, which only returns plastic, metal and glass beverage containers, compared to Alberta’s plastic, metal, glass, aseptic carton packages like juice boxes, bag-in-a-box containers like boxed wine, gable tops like milk paperboard cartons, and pouches like those used for juice.

“Alberta’s ranking as the top jurisdiction in Canada and second in North America for beverage container recycling demonstrates the effectiveness of our regulatory framework and the collaboration of all system partners,” said Loren Falkenberg, board chair of the Beverage Container Management Board (BCMB).

“The Beverage Container Management Board is proud to oversee a system that delivers strong environmental outcomes while maintaining accountability and efficiency. This success is a direct result of our shared commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in beverage container recycling.”