WM Canada is advancing construction on a new preconditioning recycling facility in Edmonton, marking a significant investment in Alberta’s recycling infrastructure. The facility is expected to open in early 2027. Once complete, the facility is designed to manage a significant portion of Alberta’s residential recyclable material using advanced sorting technology, including automation and optical systems, to support evolving recycling programs across the province.
Construction is well underway, with this milestone marking continued progress toward delivering modernized recycling infrastructure for communities across Northern Alberta. “This investment reflects our commitment to building a recycling infrastructure that better supports local communities,” said Tracy Black, President of WM Canada. “By leveraging advanced sorting technology and WM’s operational expertise, this facility is designed to improve material recovery, broaden the range of accepted recyclables over time, and help advance a circular economy.”
The Edmonton facility will incorporate integrated sorting systems where bag openers, multiple sizing screens, ballistic screensand optical sorters work together to support accuracy and efficiency throughout the recycling process. These technologies are designed to:
- Enhance identification and separation of packaging and paper products using near-infrared and advanced optical sorting systems
- Support improved material capture and preparation for further processing
- Enable more efficient transportation and logistics across Alberta
- Support supply chain coordination and end-market demand
The project includes the modernization of an existing building on WM-owned property, along with a significant facility expansion. An Alberta-based design-build firm has been selected for the building portion of the project, with local contractors and subcontractors supporting construction activities. The construction phase is expected to create approximately 80 full-time jobs through 2026 and into early 2027.
WM Canada will own and operate the facility as part of Alberta’s evolving extended producer responsibility system, working in collaboration with Circular Materials, the not-for-profit organization responsible for implementing and managing the province’s recycling system for residential packaging and paper products.
“This represents another step as Alberta moves forward on Extended Producer Responsibility,” said Hon Grant Hunter, Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “The partnership between Circular Materials and WM will help develop a streamlined recycling system supported by advanced sorting technology.”
“Strong recycling systems depend on infrastructure that can keep pace with today’s packaging. Transitioning to extended producer responsibility enables innovation and greater efficiency, including single-stream recycling, where all recyclable materials are placed in one bin and sorted later at processing facilities,” said Allen Langdon, CEO of Circular Materials. “With the development of this new facility in Edmonton, we are expanding processing capacity to improve material quality and reliability while supporting long-term environmental outcomes.”