Phase 2 Transition
SK Recycles is the new provincial household packaging and paper recycling program, responsible for the collection, processing and recycling of household packaging and paper in Saskatchewan.
Since 2016, SK Recycles (formerly known as Multi-Material Stewardship Western) has provided shared funding for community recycling programs to cover costs associated with collecting, sorting, processing and marketing household packaging and paper to end markets to be made into new products.
On February 1, 2028, the shared responsibility model for community recycling will end and be replaced by a new full Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model.
What do we need from you?
The window for submitting the Letter of Intent template (LOI) for Phase 2 eligible collectors is now closed. SK Recycles may consider future dates for additional collectors to join our program but no firm timelines have been determined at this time.
Thank you to those eligible Phase 2 collectors who have submitted their LOI to inform SK Recycles on how they wish to proceed with our program. If your community is joining our program, please complete the necessary remaining documents listed below by February 16, 2026.
Additional information requirements are outlined in the dropdowns below.
Your community is going Community-Led until Jan 31, 2028
Your community will join SK Recycles’ new program on June 1, 2026.
- Your community will receive an offer from SK Recycles that includes a new agreement and household incentive rate for the collection of household packaging and paper only.
- SK Recycles will be responsible for all post-collection operations and costs.
Submit to agreements@skrecycles.ca by February 16, 2026:
- Onboarding Template (excel file)
- Collection Transition Form (word document)
Collectors to review:
Your community is going Program-Led on Feb 1, 2028
Your community will receive curbside and multi-family service directly from SK Recycles beginning February 1, 2028.
- Your community will no longer be responsible for curbside and multi-family recycling services for residents or the associated costs
- SK Recycles will directly provide collection and post-collection services.
Submit to agreements@skrecycles.ca by February 16, 2026:
- Household Summary Transition Template (excel file) – fill out the relevant tabs
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are you doing this
On March 31, 2023, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment released updated regulations for the management of household packaging and paper products in the province: The Household Packaging and Paper Stewardship Regulations, 2023. The Regulations call for a full Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program whereby producers will become operationally and financially responsible for the collection, transportation, consolidation, processing, and marketing of household packaging and paper.
SK Recycles will deliver the program on behalf of producers, working in partnership with collection and post-collection partners
What happens if we do not join your program
Communities that do not join the new program after February 1, 2028, may continue to provide recycling services directly to residents; however, the community will not participate in the SK Recycles program and will no longer receive funding from SK Recycles (or MMSW) to support recycling.
Do communities have to participate in the SK Recycles Program
We encourage all communities to join. Those that do not join the new program may continue receiving funding support from our shared responsibility program until February 2028 at which time that funding will stop if they haven’t transitioned to the new SK Recycles program.
Can a municipality have both curbside and depot recycling once Phase 3 rolls out
SK Recycles is still gathering information and working with all working groups (Phase 1, 2, 3) to determine the best depot recycling model in Saskatchewan. We have not yet determined whether multiple levels of service for household recycling (curbside and depot) will be a model that continues.
How should a municipality manage existing contracts that expire between the deadline to participate in the new EPR program and the implementation of the service by SK Recycles
While we cannot provide direction on specific contractual decisions, municipalities are encouraged to engage in discussions with their current contractors.
Will SK Recycles have communications that the municipality can send to residents to inform them of the new program
Yes, SK Recycles has communication materials that municipalities can share with residents to help inform them about the new EPR program. These materials help to ensure consistent messaging across communities and will include communication pieces, such as the full recycling material list, example collection guide and social media templates. All these materials are now on the collector resources portal for SK Recycles, and when communities join the program, they get access to these materials.