Government Initiatives
There are a number of government and government-sponsored environmental initiatives underway in Alberta. These initiatives play an ongoing role in shaping Alberta’s environmental policy.
Climate Change/Energy Efficiency Solutions
- Alberta Energy Research Institute (AERI)
AERI works to develop Alberta’s energy sector through promotion of and investment in innovation and technology.
- The Alberta Energy Innovation Strategy
An important part of the province's climate change strategy. The Alberta Energy Research Institute is responsible for energy-related research in Alberta and works with government and industry to promote innovation and technology in the energy sector.
- The Alberta Energy Innovation Strategy
- Alberta's Climate Change Strategy: Developing a New Plan
Outlines how the province will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The strategy focuses on increased funding for the development and implementation of greenhouse gas related technologies.
Recycling and Waste Management
- Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA)
ARMA, known simply as Alberta Recycling, is a multi-stakeholder organization, designated by the Government of Alberta. ARMA reports to the Minister of Environment and is run by a Board of Directors representing many stakeholder groups.
ARMA is responsible for managing the following two recycling programs:
- Electronics Recycling Program
In 2004, Alberta introduced a new electronics recycling program, the first of its kind in Canada. More than 100 collection sites across the province are now accepting unwanted televisions and computers.
- Tire Recycling Alberta
Since 1992, Alberta's tire recycling program has turned old tires into a growing industry that now exports recycled rubber tire products to the world. Alberta has successfully recycled more than 35 million tires since 1992.
- Electronics Recycling Program
- Waste Not
Alberta has achieved significant success in waste management over the last 30 years. The province has built strong programs and initiatives with support from Delegated Administrative Organizations, municipalities and other groups.
Working with its partner organizations, Alberta Environment is pursuing a number of strategies and initiatives, all with the intent of reducing waste going to landfill and managing waste resources in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner.
- Waste Reduction: Action on Waste
Action on Waste promotes the reduction of wastes going to municipal landfills throughout Alberta. The program focuses on developing projects that address high volume wastes such as construction, demolition and organic wastes, as well as on materials that pose diversion and disposal challenges, such as household hazardous wastes and electronics.
The program provides a variety of waste reduction and recycling information to the public via the toll-free Recycle Info Line service. It also oversees the delivery of stewardship programs, including used oil materials, scrap tires and beverage container recycling.
- Waste Reduction: Action on Waste
- Alberta's Recycling Information Line
Alberta's Recycling Information Line answers approximately 700 calls a month on a variety of recycling and waste minimization topics from municipalities, businesses and the general public.
This toll-free service operates from 8:15 to 4:30, Monday to Friday. Call 1-800-463-6326.
- Resource Recovery Grant Program
Program provides start-up capital assistance to municipalities and non-profit organizations for waste minimization projects, and has invested over nine million dollars into recycling projects in more than 200 communities.
Voluntary Programs
- Construction, Renovation and Demolition Waste
Alberta Environment in co-operation with a number of industry and government stakeholders is working to reduce Construction, Renovation and Demolition (CRD) waste generated in Alberta.
- Household Hazardous Waste Round-up Program
The Household Hazardous Waste Round-up program is currently coordinated through Alberta Environment's Action on Waste. Approximately 65 communities throughout Alberta participate in annual one-day events, with the cities of Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge hosting year-round facilities. Over 4.5 million litres equivalents of household hazardous waste materials have been safely treated and disposed of in the province since 1988.
- Milk Container Recycling Program
The Alberta Dairy Council launched the Milk Container Recycling Program in 1999 which provides the financial and technical support to community-based recycling programs that collect used milk containers.
- Pesticide Management Program
The Pesticide Management Program administers and enforces provincial legislation to ensure safe distribution, storage, use and disposal of pesticides. In 1997 over one million pesticide containers were collected in Alberta. There are 99 container collection sites throughout Alberta.
Water Treatment
- Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant
The Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant in Edmonton is one of the most innovative facilities in North America and a leader in wastewater technology. Beginning in 2006, Gold Bar will be Canada's largest industrial water reuse facility.
- Water for Life
Provincial water strategy that outlines ways to manage Alberta's water resources more effectively.
