Alberta vs Manitoba EPR: Rules Compared
Last verified
Alberta and Manitoba both run packaging EPR, but the rules differ. Manitoba exempts only producers below the lower revenue floor, CA$750,000 against CA$1,500,000 in Alberta. Manitoba asks for its first annual report earlier, on May 31 against June 30 in Alberta. Alberta publishes the higher per-kilogram fee in 4 of 4 shared material classes.
Alberta and Manitoba side by side
4 of 9 rows have a verified figure on each side of Alberta and Manitoba; a cell reads “not yet published” when a side has none, and an exemption row reads “none recorded; see thresholds” when no exemption is on record.
| Measure | Alberta | Manitoba | Stricter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration duty | not yet published | Required | Not comparable |
| Producer organisation | not yet published | one producer responsibility organisation | Not comparable |
| Lowest revenue exemption | CA$1,500,000 | CA$750,000 | Manitoba |
| Lowest weight exemption | none recorded; see thresholds | none recorded; see thresholds | Not comparable |
| First annual report date | June 30 | May 31 | Manitoba |
| Published penalties | not yet published | not yet published | Not comparable |
| Report file | csv | csv | Not comparable |
| Paper fee, cheapest matched rate | 48 cents per kilogram | 18.23 cents per kilogram | Alberta |
| Plastic fee, cheapest matched rate | 176 cents per kilogram | 79.03 cents per kilogram | Alberta |
The lowest revenue exemption is CA$1,500,000 in Alberta and CA$750,000 in Manitoba. Manitoba therefore reaches smaller sellers: a business with revenue between the two lines is exempt in Alberta but still in scope in Manitoba.
The earliest annual report date is June 30 in Alberta and May 31 in Manitoba, 30 days apart. Manitoba leaves less time to prepare, so its data has to be ready first.
Across 4 shared material classes, Alberta publishes the higher cheapest per-kilogram fee in 4, and Manitoba in 0. A higher fee is not the same as a stricter rule; it is simply a larger published number per kilogram.
Who runs the programme in Alberta and Manitoba
Who collects and who the producer files with, in Alberta and then Manitoba.
| Aspect | Alberta | Manitoba |
|---|---|---|
| Regime | Extended Producer Responsibility Regulation, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (packaging, paper products) | Packaging and Printed Paper Stewardship Regulation, M.R. 195/2008 |
| Regulator | Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA) | not yet published |
| Producers obligated | Yes | Yes |
| Registration | not yet published | Required, WeRecycle Portal |
| Producer organisation | not yet published | one producer responsibility organisation: Recycle Manitoba (MMSM); membership required |
| Revenue counted as | gross revenue inside the jurisdiction, CAD, year | gross revenue inside the jurisdiction, CAD, given year |
| Who counts as the producer | primary: brand owner, importer, seller; secondary: brand owner, importer, seller; shipping: brand owner, importer, seller; tertiary: brand owner, importer, seller | other: brand owner, importer; primary: brand owner, importer; secondary: brand owner, importer; service: brand owner, importer; shipping: brand owner, importer; tertiary: brand owner, importer |
Where one side has not yet published how its producer organisations work, this page says so rather than assuming it matches the other side. A seller in both should check the open item before relying on the comparison.
What Alberta and Manitoba cover, side by side
Each row below is one published feature of the two programmes; a cell reads “not yet published” when Alberta or Manitoba has no verified entry for it in the dataset.
| Aspect | Alberta | Manitoba |
|---|---|---|
| Producer duty: primary packaging | brand_owner; importer; seller | brand_owner; importer |
| Producer duty: secondary packaging | brand_owner; importer; seller | brand_owner; importer |
| Producer duty: tertiary packaging | brand_owner; importer; seller | brand_owner; importer |
| Producer duty: shipping packaging | brand_owner; importer; seller | brand_owner; importer |
| Reporting categories | 33, material category | 23, material category |
| Exemption 1 | Producers under CAD 1,500,000 Alberta revenue are exempt | Under CAD 750,000 gross Manitoba revenue, including affiliates and franchisees |
| Producer duty: service packaging | not yet published | brand_owner; importer |
| Producer duty: other packaging | not yet published | brand_owner; importer |
Thresholds and exemptions in Alberta and Manitoba
Every verified threshold Alberta and Manitoba publish, as each states it.
| Place | Measure | Amount | Effect | Basis as published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | revenue | CA$1,500,000 | exempt below | Alberta revenue |
| Alberta | packaging tonnage | 9 tonnes | reduced duty | residential supply per year (9 t paper; 2 t rigid plastic; 2 t flexible plastic; 1 t glass; 1 t metal) |
| Manitoba | revenue | CA$750,000 | exempt below | gross Manitoba revenue including affiliates and franchisees |
| Manitoba | packaging weight | 5,000 kg | flat-fee band | A steward supplying under 5,000 kg a year may pay a flat fee instead of material fees, in two bands: 1,000 to 2,499 kg and 2,500 to 5,000 kg. The amounts are published each year and are on that year's fee schedule. |
Alberta exemption: Producers under CAD 1,500,000 Alberta revenue are exempt It does not have to be applied for.
Manitoba exemption: Under CAD 750,000 gross Manitoba revenue, including affiliates and franchisees It does not have to be applied for.
Read the basis column first: the same amount can exempt a producer in one programme and only simplify its report in another.
The lowest revenue exemption is CA$1,500,000 in Alberta and CA$750,000 in Manitoba. Manitoba therefore reaches smaller sellers: a business with revenue between the two lines is exempt in Alberta but still in scope in Manitoba.
Fees per kilogram for shared materials
4 material classes have a published rate on both sides; each row shows the cheapest rate that fits the class.
| Material class | Alberta (CAD per kg) | Manitoba (CAD per kg) | Higher fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| paper and board | 48 cents per kilogram | 18.23 cents per kilogram | Alberta |
| plastic | 176 cents per kilogram | 79.03 cents per kilogram | Alberta |
| glass | 41 cents per kilogram | 22.41 cents per kilogram | Alberta |
| steel | 62 cents per kilogram | 30.96 cents per kilogram | Alberta |
Scaling the cheapest published rate by weight shows what the gap between Alberta and Manitoba amounts to for a given tonnage of one material. The amounts are the rate times the weight, nothing added.
| Material class | Kilograms | Alberta fee (CAD) | Manitoba fee (CAD) | Manitoba minus Alberta (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| paper and board | 1 | CA$0.48 | CA$0.18 | -CA$0.30 |
| paper and board | 10 | CA$4.80 | CA$1.82 | -CA$2.98 |
| paper and board | 100 | CA$48.00 | CA$18.23 | -CA$29.77 |
| paper and board | 1,000 | CA$480.00 | CA$182.30 | -CA$297.70 |
| paper and board | 10,000 | CA$4,800.00 | CA$1,823.00 | -CA$2,977.00 |
| paper and board | 100,000 | CA$48,000.00 | CA$18,230.00 | -CA$29,770.00 |
| plastic | 1 | CA$1.76 | CA$0.79 | -CA$0.97 |
| plastic | 10 | CA$17.60 | CA$7.90 | -CA$9.70 |
| plastic | 100 | CA$176.00 | CA$79.03 | -CA$96.97 |
| plastic | 1,000 | CA$1,760.00 | CA$790.30 | -CA$969.70 |
| plastic | 10,000 | CA$17,600.00 | CA$7,903.00 | -CA$9,697.00 |
| plastic | 100,000 | CA$176,000.00 | CA$79,030.00 | -CA$96,970.00 |
| glass | 1 | CA$0.41 | CA$0.22 | -CA$0.19 |
| glass | 10 | CA$4.10 | CA$2.24 | -CA$1.86 |
| glass | 100 | CA$41.00 | CA$22.41 | -CA$18.59 |
| glass | 1,000 | CA$410.00 | CA$224.10 | -CA$185.90 |
| glass | 10,000 | CA$4,100.00 | CA$2,241.00 | -CA$1,859.00 |
| glass | 100,000 | CA$41,000.00 | CA$22,410.00 | -CA$18,590.00 |
| steel | 1 | CA$0.62 | CA$0.31 | -CA$0.31 |
| steel | 10 | CA$6.20 | CA$3.10 | -CA$3.10 |
| steel | 100 | CA$62.00 | CA$30.96 | -CA$31.04 |
| steel | 1,000 | CA$620.00 | CA$309.60 | -CA$310.40 |
| steel | 10,000 | CA$6,200.00 | CA$3,096.00 | -CA$3,104.00 |
| steel | 100,000 | CA$62,000.00 | CA$30,960.00 | -CA$31,040.00 |
Both schedules are in CAD, so the figures compare directly.
Manitoba: the 2027 fee schedule of Recycle Manitoba, effective January 1, 2027, is the source of the per-kilogram rates used on this page.
Alberta: the 2027 fee schedule of Circular Materials Alberta (ARMA PPP), effective January 1, 2027, is the source of the per-kilogram rates used on this page.
Alberta 2027: the category “Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging” is published at 48 cents per kilogram.
Alberta 2027: the category “LDPE/HDPE Film” is published at 176 cents per kilogram.
Alberta 2027: the category “Clear Glass” is published at 41 cents per kilogram.
Alberta 2027: the category “Other Steel Containers and Packaging” is published at 62 cents per kilogram.
Manitoba 2027: the category “Boxboard” is published at 18.23 cents per kilogram.
Manitoba 2027: the category “Plastic Film” is published at 79.03 cents per kilogram.
Manitoba 2027: the category “Coloured Glass” is published at 22.41 cents per kilogram.
Manitoba 2027: the category “Steel Food & Beverage Cans” is published at 30.96 cents per kilogram.
Real packs usually land in a dearer category, so use the calculator for Alberta and Manitoba.
Deadlines in Alberta and Manitoba
Each verified date, with the period it covers when one is given.
| Place | Kind | Date | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | report | June 30 | preceding calendar year (January 1 to December 31) |
| Alberta | rate publication | March 8 | current calendar year's ARMA oversight fees (based on supply data from two years earlier) |
| Alberta | payment | April 8 | current calendar year's ARMA oversight fees |
| Alberta | other | October 1, 2026 | not yet published |
| Manitoba | report | May 31 | the previous calendar year |
| Manitoba | payment | January 31 | each quarter |
| Manitoba | registration | December 1 | voluntary producer agreement |
The earliest annual report date is June 30 in Alberta and May 31 in Manitoba, 30 days apart. Manitoba leaves less time to prepare, so its data has to be ready first.
Penalties in Alberta and Manitoba
What each side has published; a side without an amount says so.
Report formats in Alberta and Manitoba
How the report file for Alberta compares with the one for Manitoba.
| Aspect | Alberta | Manitoba |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | Alberta PPP producer annual report Fee-year categories, reviewed 2026-09-29 | Recycle Manitoba annual report Fee-year categories, reviewed 2026-09-29 |
| Recipient | Alberta Recycling Management Authority | Recycle Manitoba (MMSM) |
| How it is submitted | ARMA producer portal | WeRecycle Portal |
| File type | csv | csv |
| Encoding | utf-8 | utf-8 |
| Delimiter | , | , |
| Decimal separator | . | |
| Columns | 4 | 4 |
| Required columns | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 |
| Weight unit | kg | kg |
| Period basis | calendar year | calendar year |
The two layouts share a file type and a delimiter, but each programme names its own columns and categories, so one file cannot be sent to both programmes. Each report is built from the same underlying measurements and exported separately.
Which to plan for first, Alberta or Manitoba
Plan around the earlier report date first. Manitoba asks for its first annual report on May 31, before Alberta, so its data has to be ready first.
Check the exemption thresholds before anything else. Manitoba reaches smaller sellers than Alberta, so a seller that is exempt in Alberta may still have to register in Manitoba.
Questions about comparing these two programmes
Is Alberta or Manitoba stricter on packaging EPR?
Manitoba exempts only producers below the lower revenue floor, CA$750,000 against CA$1,500,000 in Alberta. Manitoba asks for its first annual report earlier, on May 31 against June 30 in Alberta. Alberta publishes the higher per-kilogram fee in 4 of 4 shared material classes.
Do I register in both Alberta and Manitoba?
Alberta has not yet published its registration duty. Manitoba requires producers to register.
How do the fees per kilogram compare in Alberta and Manitoba?
Across 4 shared material classes, Alberta publishes the higher cheapest per-kilogram fee in 4, and Manitoba in 0. A higher fee is not the same as a stricter rule; it is simply a larger published number per kilogram.
Which deadline comes first, Alberta or Manitoba?
The earliest annual report date is June 30 in Alberta and May 31 in Manitoba, 30 days apart. Manitoba leaves less time to prepare, so its data has to be ready first.
How these figures are made
Sources
- albertarecycling.ca retrieved
Original wording: PPP Producers shall submit an annual report to the Authority no later than June 30th each year.
- files.albertarecycling.ca: EPR Single‑Use Products Packaging and Paper Products Bylaws retrieved
Original wording: has an annual gross revenue in Alberta less than one million and five hundred thousand dollars $1,500,000.
Original wording: less than each of the amounts listed for the following materials: (a) 9 tonnes of paper per calendar year; (b) 2 tonnes of rigid plastic
Original wording: PPP Producers shall submit an annual report to the Authority no later than June 30th each year.
Original wording: A PPP Producer must provide, by October 1, 2026, to single-family dwellings in Registered Communities that were not receiving recycling service
- kings-printer.alberta.ca: 2022 194 retrieved
Original wording: the producer is (a) the brand holder of the designated material, if the brand holder is resident in Canada,
- albertarecycling.ca: EPR Oversight Fee Guide retrieved
Original wording: By March 8 Notice of Final Oversight Fees posted (minimum of 30 days prior to invoicing) April 8 Invoicing of Oversight Fees
- circularmaterials.ca: Circular Materials Report to Producers 2025 retrieved
Original wording: Newspapers 83 84 -1.2%
- recyclemanitoba.ca: 195.08 retrieved
Original wording: Packaging and Printed Paper Stewardship Regulation
- recyclemanitoba.ca: for producers retrieved
Original wording: had gross revenues of more than $750,000 from the combined sale of all its products and services in Manitoba
Original wording: Does your company have a gross Manitoba revenue greater than $750,000 in a given year?
Original wording: Is your company a Brand Owner, First Importer or Franchisor?
Original wording: A Producer is “obligated” if it and/or its Affiliates and Franchisees had gross revenues of more than $750,000
Original wording: Registered producers file an annual report of the packaging and printed paper they supplied into Manitoba during the previous calendar year.
Original wording: Quarterly payment dates Q1 January 31 Q2 April 30 Q3 July 31 Q4 October 31
Original wording: Submit by December 1 Cancel by December 1 Voluntary Producer Agreement
- recyclemanitoba.ca: epr transition retrieved
Original wording: Communities run or contract collection services and are funded for up to 80% of eligible net costs.
- recyclemanitoba.ca: Circular Materials Report to Producers 2025 retrieved
Original wording: eligible stewards (supplying less than 5,000 kg annually), can continue filing their detailed reports and paying material fee rates
- recyclemanitoba.ca: 2026CauseOfChange FeeSchedule MMSM retrieved
Original wording: 2026 Cause of Change Fee Schedule
- knowledge.werecycle.ca: Report to Producers 2026 OCT15 retrieved
Original wording: Circular Materials in Alberta Fee Schedule (Cents/Kg)
Original wording: Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging 48 40 20.0%
Original wording: LDPE/HDPE Film 176 198 -11.1%
Original wording: Clear Glass 41 45 -8.9%
Original wording: Other Steel Containers and Packaging 62 69 -10.1%
- recyclemanitoba.ca: 2027CauseOfChange FeeSchedule RecycleManitoba retrieved
Original wording: RECYCLE MANITOBA FEE SCHEDULE (CENTS/KG)
Original wording: PAPER Boxboard 18.23 15.65 16.5%
Original wording: Plastic Film 79.03 73.04 8.2%
Original wording: Coloured Glass 22.41 21.66 3.5%
Original wording: Steel Food & Beverage Cans 30.96 27.88 11.0%
The free plan is enough to start. We estimate and prepare; you sign and submit.