Nova Scotia vs Saskatchewan EPR: Rules Compared
Last verified
Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan both run packaging EPR, but the rules differ. Both set the lowest revenue exemption at CA$1,000,000. Both set the lowest weight exemption at 1 tonne. Nova Scotia asks for its first annual report earlier, on April 30 against May 31 in Saskatchewan.
Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan side by side
5 of 9 rows have a verified figure on each side of Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan; 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 | Nova Scotia | Saskatchewan | Stricter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration duty | not yet published | Required | Not comparable |
| Producer organisation | one producer responsibility organisation | one producer responsibility organisation | Not comparable |
| Lowest revenue exemption | CA$1,000,000 | CA$1,000,000 | Same |
| Lowest weight exemption | 1 tonne | 1 tonne | Same |
| First annual report date | April 30 | May 31 | Nova Scotia |
| Published penalties | not yet published | not yet published | Not comparable |
| Report file | csv | csv | Not comparable |
| Paper fee, cheapest matched rate | 75 cents per kilogram | 31 cents per kilogram | Nova Scotia |
| Plastic fee, cheapest matched rate | 217 cents per kilogram | 113 cents per kilogram | Nova Scotia |
The lowest revenue exemption is the same on both sides: CA$1,000,000. A seller just under that line is out of scope in Nova Scotia and in Saskatchewan alike.
The lowest weight exemption is the same on both sides: 1 tonne of packaging.
The earliest annual report date is April 30 in Nova Scotia and May 31 in Saskatchewan, 31 days apart. Nova Scotia leaves less time to prepare, so its data has to be ready first.
Across 5 shared material classes, Nova Scotia publishes the higher cheapest per-kilogram fee in 5, and Saskatchewan 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 Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan
Who collects and who the producer files with, in Nova Scotia and then Saskatchewan.
| Aspect | Nova Scotia | Saskatchewan |
|---|---|---|
| Regime | Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act, Part IX (packaging and paper EPR regulations) | Household Packaging and Paper Stewardship Program Regulations, 2023 |
| Regulator | Resource Recovery Fund Board (Divert NS), as Administrator | not yet published |
| Producers obligated | Yes | Yes |
| Registration | not yet published | Required, SK Recycles producer portal |
| Producer organisation | one producer responsibility organisation: Circular Materials; membership optional | one producer responsibility organisation: SK Recycles; membership required |
| Transfer of responsibility | Allowed | not yet published |
| Revenue counted as | gross revenue inside the jurisdiction, CAD, year | not yet published |
| Who counts as the producer | primary: brand owner, importer, seller; secondary: brand owner, importer, seller; tertiary: brand owner, importer, seller | primary: brand owner, importer, seller; secondary: brand owner, importer, seller; tertiary: brand owner, importer, seller |
Both programmes organise producer responsibility the same way: one producer responsibility organisation. The practical differences between Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan therefore sit in thresholds, fees, dates and report formats rather than in whom a producer deals with.
What Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan cover, side by side
Each row below is one published feature of the two programmes; a cell reads “not yet published” when Nova Scotia or Saskatchewan has no verified entry for it in the dataset.
| Aspect | Nova Scotia | Saskatchewan |
|---|---|---|
| Materials covered | paper, plastic, metal, glass, printed paper, packaging | not yet published |
| Product classes covered | packaging, paper products | not yet published |
| Excluded from scope | small producers | not yet published |
| Sales channels addressed | retail, online, distance sale | not yet published |
| Producer duty: primary packaging | brand_owner; importer; seller | brand_owner; importer; seller |
| Producer duty: secondary packaging | brand_owner; importer; seller | brand_owner; importer; seller |
| Producer duty: tertiary packaging | brand_owner; importer; seller | brand_owner; importer; seller |
| Reporting categories | 33, material category | 19, material category |
| Exemption 1 | Small producers and societies (except educational) are exempt | Under 1,000 kg to Saskatchewan residents |
| Exemption 2 | not yet published | Businesses under CAD 1 million in annual revenue |
Thresholds and exemptions in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan
Every verified threshold Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan publish, as each states it.
| Place | Measure | Amount | Effect | Basis as published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia | revenue | CA$1,000,000 | exempt below | gross Nova Scotia revenue |
| Nova Scotia | packaging tonnage | 1 tonne | exempt below | designated material supplied in the Province |
| Saskatchewan | packaging weight | 1,000 kg | exempt below | annual supply to Saskatchewan residents |
| Saskatchewan | packaging weight | 5,000 kg | flat-fee band | 1,000 to 5,000 kg |
| Saskatchewan | revenue | CA$1,000,000 | exempt below | annual revenue |
Nova Scotia exemption: Small producers and societies (except educational) are exempt It does not have to be applied for.
Saskatchewan exemption: Under 1,000 kg to Saskatchewan residents It does not have to be applied for.
Saskatchewan exemption: Businesses under CAD 1 million in annual revenue 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 the same on both sides: CA$1,000,000. A seller just under that line is out of scope in Nova Scotia and in Saskatchewan alike.
The lowest weight exemption is the same on both sides: 1 tonne of packaging.
Fees per kilogram for shared materials
5 material classes have a published rate on both sides; each row shows the cheapest rate that fits the class.
| Material class | Nova Scotia (CAD per kg) | Saskatchewan (CAD per kg) | Higher fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| paper and board | 75 cents per kilogram | 31 cents per kilogram | Nova Scotia |
| plastic | 217 cents per kilogram | 113 cents per kilogram | Nova Scotia |
| glass | 53 cents per kilogram | 30 cents per kilogram | Nova Scotia |
| aluminium | 100 cents per kilogram | 86 cents per kilogram | Nova Scotia |
| steel | 90 cents per kilogram | 46 cents per kilogram | Nova Scotia |
Scaling the cheapest published rate by weight shows what the gap between Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan amounts to for a given tonnage of one material. The amounts are the rate times the weight, nothing added.
| Material class | Kilograms | Nova Scotia fee (CAD) | Saskatchewan fee (CAD) | Saskatchewan minus Nova Scotia (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| paper and board | 1 | CA$0.75 | CA$0.31 | -CA$0.44 |
| paper and board | 10 | CA$7.50 | CA$3.10 | -CA$4.40 |
| paper and board | 100 | CA$75.00 | CA$31.00 | -CA$44.00 |
| paper and board | 1,000 | CA$750.00 | CA$310.00 | -CA$440.00 |
| paper and board | 10,000 | CA$7,500.00 | CA$3,100.00 | -CA$4,400.00 |
| paper and board | 100,000 | CA$75,000.00 | CA$31,000.00 | -CA$44,000.00 |
| plastic | 1 | CA$2.17 | CA$1.13 | -CA$1.04 |
| plastic | 10 | CA$21.70 | CA$11.30 | -CA$10.40 |
| plastic | 100 | CA$217.00 | CA$113.00 | -CA$104.00 |
| plastic | 1,000 | CA$2,170.00 | CA$1,130.00 | -CA$1,040.00 |
| plastic | 10,000 | CA$21,700.00 | CA$11,300.00 | -CA$10,400.00 |
| plastic | 100,000 | CA$217,000.00 | CA$113,000.00 | -CA$104,000.00 |
| glass | 1 | CA$0.53 | CA$0.30 | -CA$0.23 |
| glass | 10 | CA$5.30 | CA$3.00 | -CA$2.30 |
| glass | 100 | CA$53.00 | CA$30.00 | -CA$23.00 |
| glass | 1,000 | CA$530.00 | CA$300.00 | -CA$230.00 |
| glass | 10,000 | CA$5,300.00 | CA$3,000.00 | -CA$2,300.00 |
| glass | 100,000 | CA$53,000.00 | CA$30,000.00 | -CA$23,000.00 |
| aluminium | 1 | CA$1.00 | CA$0.86 | -CA$0.14 |
| aluminium | 10 | CA$10.00 | CA$8.60 | -CA$1.40 |
| aluminium | 100 | CA$100.00 | CA$86.00 | -CA$14.00 |
| aluminium | 1,000 | CA$1,000.00 | CA$860.00 | -CA$140.00 |
| aluminium | 10,000 | CA$10,000.00 | CA$8,600.00 | -CA$1,400.00 |
| aluminium | 100,000 | CA$100,000.00 | CA$86,000.00 | -CA$14,000.00 |
| steel | 1 | CA$0.90 | CA$0.46 | -CA$0.44 |
| steel | 10 | CA$9.00 | CA$4.60 | -CA$4.40 |
| steel | 100 | CA$90.00 | CA$46.00 | -CA$44.00 |
| steel | 1,000 | CA$900.00 | CA$460.00 | -CA$440.00 |
| steel | 10,000 | CA$9,000.00 | CA$4,600.00 | -CA$4,400.00 |
| steel | 100,000 | CA$90,000.00 | CA$46,000.00 | -CA$44,000.00 |
Both schedules are in CAD, so the figures compare directly.
Saskatchewan: the 2027 fee schedule of SK Recycles, effective January 1, 2027, is the source of the per-kilogram rates used on this page.
Nova Scotia: the 2027 fee schedule of Circular Materials Nova Scotia, effective January 1, 2027, is the source of the per-kilogram rates used on this page.
Nova Scotia 2027: the category “Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging” is published at 75 cents per kilogram.
Nova Scotia 2027: the category “LDPE/HDPE Film” is published at 217 cents per kilogram.
Nova Scotia 2027: the category “Clear Glass” is published at 53 cents per kilogram.
Nova Scotia 2027: the category “Aluminum Food Containers” is published at 100 cents per kilogram.
Nova Scotia 2027: the category “Other Steel Containers and Packaging” is published at 90 cents per kilogram.
Saskatchewan 2027: the category “Boxboard” is published at 31 cents per kilogram.
Saskatchewan 2027: the category “Plastic Film” is published at 113 cents per kilogram.
Saskatchewan 2027: the category “Clear Glass” is published at 30 cents per kilogram.
Saskatchewan 2027: the category “Other Aluminum Packaging” is published at 86 cents per kilogram.
Saskatchewan 2027: the category “Other Steel Packaging incl. Paint Cans” is published at 46 cents per kilogram.
Real packs usually land in a dearer category, so use the calculator for Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan.
Deadlines in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan
Each verified date, with the period it covers when one is given.
| Place | Kind | Date | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia | report | May 31 | calendar year before the year the report is due (s 29(4)) |
| Nova Scotia | report | April 30, 2030 | the 4 immediately preceding years |
| Nova Scotia | payment | October 1, 2026 | 2026 Divert NS EPR oversight fees |
| Nova Scotia | registration | January 1, 2024 | not yet published |
| Saskatchewan | report | May 31 | not yet published |
| Saskatchewan | payment | January 31 | fee year (the calendar year after the reporting year) |
| Saskatchewan | payment | April 30 | fee year (the calendar year after the reporting year) |
| Saskatchewan | payment | July 31 | fee year (the calendar year after the reporting year) |
| Saskatchewan | payment | October 31 | fee year (the calendar year after the reporting year) |
The earliest annual report date is April 30 in Nova Scotia and May 31 in Saskatchewan, 31 days apart. Nova Scotia leaves less time to prepare, so its data has to be ready first.
Penalties in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan
What each side has published; a side without an amount says so.
Report formats in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan
How the report file for Nova Scotia compares with the one for Saskatchewan.
| Aspect | Nova Scotia | Saskatchewan |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | Nova Scotia producer annual report Fee-year categories, reviewed 2026-09-29 | SK Recycles annual report Fee-year categories, reviewed 2026-09-29 |
| Recipient | Resource Recovery Fund Board (Divert NS) / Circular Materials | SK Recycles |
| How it is submitted | WeRecycle Portal | SK Recycles producer 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, Nova Scotia or Saskatchewan
Plan around the earlier report date first. Nova Scotia asks for its first annual report on April 30, before Saskatchewan, so its data has to be ready first.
Questions about comparing these two programmes
Is Nova Scotia or Saskatchewan stricter on packaging EPR?
Both set the lowest revenue exemption at CA$1,000,000. Both set the lowest weight exemption at 1 tonne. Nova Scotia asks for its first annual report earlier, on April 30 against May 31 in Saskatchewan. Nova Scotia publishes the higher per-kilogram fee in 5 of 5 shared material classes.
Do I register in both Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan?
Nova Scotia has not yet published its registration duty. Saskatchewan requires producers to register.
How do the fees per kilogram compare in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan?
Across 5 shared material classes, Nova Scotia publishes the higher cheapest per-kilogram fee in 5, and Saskatchewan 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, Nova Scotia or Saskatchewan?
The earliest annual report date is April 30 in Nova Scotia and May 31 in Saskatchewan, 31 days apart. Nova Scotia leaves less time to prepare, so its data has to be ready first.
How these figures are made
Sources
- novascotia.ca: envpppextproducer retrieved
Original wording: For the purposes of these regulations, the implementation date is December 1, 2025.
Original wording: the Resource Recovery Fund Board established under Section 98 of the Act
Original wording: A producer may designate a producer responsibility organization to operate on its
Original wording: the producer for the purposes of
Original wording: “small producer” means
Original wording: the brand holder of the designated material, if the brand holder is a resident
Original wording: “small producer” means (i) a producer whose gross annual revenue in the Province is less than $1 000 000
Original wording: a producer who supplies less than 1 tonne of designated material in
Original wording: a small producer.
Original wording: On or before May 31 in each year beginning in 2027, a producer of designated material supplied to consumers in the Province must submit
Original wording: On or before April 30, 2030, and every 4th year afterward, a producer must have its practices and procedures respecting Part V
Original wording: but no later than January 1, 2024, every producer must register in the form and manner required by the Administrator.
- divertns.ca: epr oversight fees retrieved
Original wording: Producers will receive an email on October 1, 2026, advising that EPR Oversight Invoices are available in the EPR Portal.
- circularmaterials.ca: Circular Materials Report to Producers 2025 retrieved
Original wording: Newspapers 82
- skrecycles.ca: low volume producers retrieved
Original wording: Businesses supplying less than 1,000 kg of packaging and paper annually to Saskatchewan residents are exempt from registration and reporting requirements.
Original wording: Businesses supplying between 1,000 and 5,000 kg of material annually can file a simplified report and pay a flat fee.
- skrecycles.ca: are you a producer retrieved
Original wording: that business is the obligated producer as the brand holder.
Original wording: If a business or organization supplies packaging to consumers in Saskatchewan and is the brand owner resident in Canada
Original wording: Businesses with less than $1 million in annual revenue are also exempt.
- skrecycles.ca: reporting resources and guidebook retrieved
Original wording: Producers registered with SK Recycles are required to submit reports on the WeRecycle Portal by May 31
- sk-webmedia-assets-prod-shared-ca-central-1.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com: SK Recycles Membership Agreement Dec11 2024 Final 2 retrieved
Original wording: each such instalment is due on January 31st, April 30th, July 31st and October 31st of the respective Fee Obligation Year
- skrecycles.ca: fees retrieved
Original wording: Newsprint 63
- knowledge.werecycle.ca: Report to Producers 2026 OCT15 retrieved
Original wording: Circular Materials in Nova Scotia Fee Schedule (Cents/Kg)
Original wording: Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging 75 74 1.4%
Original wording: LDPE/HDPE Film 217 212 2.4%
Original wording: Clear Glass 53 51 3.9%
Original wording: Aluminum Food Containers 100 104 -3.8%
Original wording: Other Steel Containers and Packaging 90 91 -1.1%
- skrecycles.ca: SK Recycles 2027 Fee Schedule retrieved
Original wording: SK RECYCLES FEE SCHEDULE (CENTS/KG)
Original wording: Boxboard 31.00 31.00 0.0%
Original wording: Plastic Film 113.00 119.00 -5.0%
Original wording: GLASS Clear Glass 30.00 31.00 -3.2%
Original wording: Other Aluminum Packaging 86.00 73.00 17.8%
Original wording: STEEL Other Steel Packaging including Paint cans ** 46.00 47.00 -2.1%
The free plan is enough to start. We estimate and prepare; you sign and submit.