Over the past year, delivery packaging has increased for many BC residents. Whether it’s from take-out, online shopping, or grocery orders, it seemed there was no shortage of boxes, bags, and envelopes of all shapes and sizes. While it can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not used to the extra volume of material, there are solutions available. We’ve captured some of the most common types of delivery/packaging materials below and noted where it goes, as well as the Recycle BC material category it belongs to.
Common Delivery/Packaging Materials
Material: Single-layer plastic envelope
Where It Goes: Recycle BC depot or London Drugs
Material Category: Plastic bags and overwrap
Material: Protective plastic envelope (bubble wrap lined)
Where It Goes: Recycle BC depot or London Drugs
Material Category: Other flexible plastic packaging
Material: Protective paper envelope (bubble wrap lined)
Where It Goes: If it can’t be re-used, garbage
Material Category: Not accepted; the layers of paper and plastic cannot be effectively separated
Material: Bubble wrap
Where It Goes: Recycle BC depot or London Drugs
Material Category: Other flexible plastic packaging
Material: Plastic air packets/pillows
Where It Goes: Recycle BC depot or London Drugs
Material Category: Other flexible plastic packaging
Material: Cardboard shipping boxes
Where It Goes: Paper recycling. If needed, cut down boxes to pieces smaller than
76cm by 76cm (30 inches by 30 inches) and stack loosely between your recycling boxes/bags on collection day.
Material Category: Paper
Material: Kraft (brown) paper
Where It Goes: Paper recycling
Material Category: Paper
Material: Rigid foam
Where It Goes: Recycle BC depot or London Drugs
Material Category: Foam packaging
Material: Insulated paper boxes
Where It Goes: Paper recycling
Material Category: Paper
Many of the materials listed above are not collected from your home and have to be returned to a Recycle BC depot or London Drugs. Keeping these materials separated from your paper, containers, and glass (in some communities), prevents contamination and ensures more of the material we collect can be recycled. If you’re unsure whether material can be recycled, our app or website Waste Wizard is a convenient resource, in addition to our accepted material list — find both at RecycleBC.ca/Materials.
Note: London Drugs accepts plastic bags and overwrap, foam packaging, and other flexible plastic packaging only. Due to space limitations, a maximum of one grocery bag of each material is suggested per visit. Find a Recycle BC depot, or London Drugs location, near you with our depot locator at RecycleBC.ca/Depots.