Ghosts, goblins, witches, and – packaging? Unlike the usual spooky subjects, packaging doesn’t have to be scary because candy wrappers and other flexible plastic packaging can be returned to a Recycle BC depot or London Drugs location.
Collection of other flexible plastic packaging provides a collection solution for many types of common food packaging, keeping them out of garbage bins and landfills during (and after) the Halloween season.
What are Other Types of Flexible Plastic Packaging?
Flexible plastic packaging is one of the fastest growing packaging types on the market. It is flexible plastic that often includes multiple layers of different types of plastic, making it more difficult to recycle. Examples include:
- Stand-up and zipper lock pouches
- Crinkly wrappers and bags
- Flexible packaging with plastic seal
- Plastic net bags
It also includes non-food protective packaging like bubble wrap, plastic envelopes, and air packets used for shipping packages.
What are some examples of Halloween Packaging that is Flexible Plastic Packaging?
Much like the rest of the year, if you have a sweet tooth, you have this type of packaging. Candy and snack wrappers, chip bags, and plastic net bags (holding tasty foil-wrapped chocolates) are common examples during Halloween:
Crinkly Wrappers and Bags
Stand-up and zipper lock pouches
Woven and net plastic bags
What do I do with Flexible Plastic Packaging?
Flexible plastic packaging can be returned to a Recycle BC Depot; this material is not collected with blue box container collection in most communities and is collected separately at depots to ensure it is managed responsibly.
Halloween recyclable waste is often small, easy-to-lose pieces like candy wrappers, so we recommend the following to keep your material organized:
- Flatten and fold larger crinkly wrappers and bags (e.g. protein bar wrappers and chip bags) and collect them in a re-usable container
- Re-purpose larger plastic packages like stand-up and zipper lock pouches to collect smaller pieces like candy wrappers
Please remember all wrappers and bags must be empty of their contents and, if necessary, rinsed to prevent contamination.
When you’ve collected enough flexible plastic packaging to make a depot trip, find a Recycle BC depot near you using our app or depot map on our website.
London Drugs Collects Flexible Plastic Packaging
You can also return other flexible plastic packaging to London Drugs stores throughout BC. Look out for collection bins at their in-store customer recycling centres. London Drugs also collects foam packaging for Recycle BC.
In 2019 alone, London Drugs collected 46.2 tonnes of flexible plastic packaging with Recycle BC. We couldn’t have achieved that without resident participation so keep up the good work, BC!
For more details on what can be recycled, visit recyclebc.ca/materials
