Coach’s Guide to Recycling Paper and Cardboard Packaging 

Types of Paper and Cardboard Packaging Accepted 

Paper and Cardboard Packaging comes in many variations: 

• Newspaper and flyers 

• Magazines and catalogues 
  
• Telephone books

  

• Writing home/office paper and correspondence
  
  • Shredded paper is accepted and can be placed securely inside a paper bag or box and included with your paper recycling 
• Corrugated cardboard boxes 

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• Cardboard/boxboard 
  

• Moulded boxboard packaging 

• Paper bags (Kraft paper) 

• Multi-layer paper bags 

• Purchased gift bags, boxes 

• Paper party decorations 

• Non-durable paper food containers 

• Disposable paper hangers 

For a list of common delivery packaging and materials, check out our ‘What should I do with Delivery Packaging?’ blog. 

 

Types of Paper and Cardboard Packaging Not Accepted 

Types of paper that is not accepted under Recycle BC’s program includes, but is not limited to: 

Paper: 

• Hardcover or paperback books (donate or sell these!) 

• Paper towels, napkins and tissues 

• Non-paper gift wrap and foil gift wrap 

• Padded envelopes 

• Ribbons or bows 

• Musical greeting cards with batteries (contact the Recycling Council of BC for battery and e-waste recycling options) 

• Rubber bands 

• Plastic bags used to cover newspapers/flyers (recycle at a Recycle BC depot) 

Paper Packaging and Cardboard 

• Cardboard boxes with wax coating, such as empty boxes, made available for residents to transport their groceries home 

• Paper bags with multiple layers that include a foil layer 

• Paper bags with a plastic layer 

• Paper towels, napkins (include with green waste, if applicable) 

• Tissues 

• Padded envelopes with plastic or bubble layer 

How to Recycle Paper and Cardboard Packaging 

Recycling paper and cardboard packaging is quite easy! The Recycle BC program accepts paper and cardboard in designated collection containers, typically a reusable yellow bag in specific direct service curbside areas, or a multi-family cart or blue container. 

Best Practices 

To best prepare your paper and cardboard packaging 

1. 1. Separate your recyclables! 
      Ensure your paper isn’t one of the ‘not accepted’ materials 

2. 2. Does your paper have foil or paper? Don’t recycle it!
      Paper envelopes and foil-lined paper products are not accepted due to the inability to separate these materials post-collection. Re-use them or dispose in your garbage 

3. 3. Greasy or dirty paper or cardboard food containers? Don’t include them! 
      Pizza boxes are a common greasy container that can only be included if it is mostly clean, otherwise you can place this in your city’s organics or green bin (this varies per city)