What Can I Recycle?
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Most packaging and paper can be collected curbside or can be taken to depots for recycling. A few items are only accepted at depots.
Search for material using Recycle BC’s Waste Wizard, or scroll down to view a summary of accepted materials and where to take them.
Click below to view and download our full accepted material list
Recycle in Paper Bin or Reusable Yellow Bag
Accepted Materials
- Newspapers, inserts and flyers
- Magazines and catalogues
- Telephone books and other directories
- Writing and home office paper, paper envelopes, and notepads
- Paper gift wrap and greeting cards
- Shredded paper (if your community separates containers and paper into different bins or bags for collection, set shredded paper out for collection in a paper bag or small box and place in your paper bin/bag; if your community collects paper and containers in the same bin, contain shredded paper in a clear plastic bag and place it in your recycling bin)
Where Accepted
- Curbside collection
- Multi-family collection
- Recycle BC depots
Not Accepted
- Hardcover or paperback books (donate or sell)
- 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)
Accepted Materials
- Corrugated cardboard boxes used for shipping, grocery and liquor store boxes and pizza boxes
- Cardboard and boxboard boxes used for cereal, shoes, tissues, pizza, frozen entrees, desserts, detergent, etc.
- Cardboard packaging for cannabis product
- Carrier trays for bulk bottled water, soft drinks, cans, food, etc.
- Cores for paper towels and toilet tissue
- Moulded boxboard packaging for egg cartons, take-out beverage trays, paper-based plant pots
- Paper bags (also called kraft paper) and envelopes
- Multi-layered paper bags for flour, sugar, etc.
Where Accepted
- Curbside collection
- Multi-family collection
- Recycle BC depots
Not Accepted
- 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
Recycle in Container Bin
Accepted Materials
- Plastic jugs with screw tops used for milk, cooking oil, laundry detergent and fabric softener, cleaning solutions, cleaning products, body care products, windshield washer fluid, etc.
- Plastic bottles with screw caps, spray pump, or pull-up tops for food, dish soap, mouthwash, shampoos, conditioners and other personal care products, pills and vitamins, laundry products, etc.
- Plastic jars with wide mouths and screw-top lids for peanut butter, jam, nuts, condiments, vitamins and supplements, personal care products, etc.
- Plastic packaging for cannabis product
- Plastic clamshells with hinged or click-closed tops for baked goods, fruit, produce, eggs, etc.
- Plastic black-bottom trays and clear tops for deli chicken, single-serve meals, prepared foods, baked goods, housewares, and hardware such as screws or picture hangers, etc.
- Plastic tubs and lids for food such as margarine and spreads, dairy products such as yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream, ice cream, etc.
- Plastic cold drink cups with lids for take-out beverages
- Plastic garden pots and trays for bedding plants, seedlings, vegetable plants, etc.
- Plastic pails less than 25L for laundry detergent, ice cream, pet food, etc.
- Microwavable bowls and cups
- Empty single-use coffee and tea pods; remove lids and do not include lids with recycling
- Rigid plastic packaging for toys, toothbrushes, batteries, etc; remove paper backing and recycle separately
WHERE ACCEPTED
- Curbside collection
- Multi-family collection
- Recycle BC depots
Not Accepted
- Containers for motor oil, vehicle lubricant or antifreeze products (call the RCBC Hotline 1-800-667-4321 or check Recyclepedia)
- Packaging labelled biodegradable or compostable
- Liquid-absorbing pads, e.g., in trays of meat, poultry, fish, etc.
- Plastic wrap
- Plastic blister packs e.g. plastic/foil protective packaging for chewing gum and pills
- Ceramic plant pots
- Lawn edging, tarps, plastic furniture or toys
- Garden hoses
- Plastic string or rope
- Plastic paint cans (call the RCBC Hotline 1-800-667-4321 or check Recyclepedia)
- Pails larger than 25L
- Pails for lubricants and oils (call the RCBC Hotline 1-800-667-4321 or check Recyclepedia)
- Microwavable bowls with metal rims
- Plastic or foil lids from coffee and tea pods
- Beverage bottles or jugs for flavoured tea, juice, or other beverages can be returned to depot for deposit refund or included in container recycling
Accepted Materials
- Paper cups for hot and cold beverages
- Cartons and boxes for milk, milk-type beverages, cream, substitute eggs, broth, sauces, etc.
- Frozen dessert boxes for ice cream, frozen yogurt, etc.
Where Accepted
- Curbside collection
- Multi-family collection
- Recycle BC depots
Not Accepted
- Straws
- Juice cartons and boxes can be returned to depot for deposit refund or included in container recycling
Accepted Materials
- Aluminum cans and lids used for food
- Aluminum foil wrap and foil take-out containers, including pie plates, food trays, etc.
- Empty aluminum aerosol containers used for food, air fresheners, shaving cream, deodorant, hairspray, foam insulation, etc.
Where Accepted
- Curbside collection
- Multi-family collection
- Recycle BC depots
Not Accepted
- Spray paint cans (call the RCBC Hotline 1-800-667-4321 or check Recyclepedia)
- Aerosol cans with any contents remaining
- Propane cylinders (call the RCBC Hotline 1-800-667-4321 or check Recyclepedia)
- Foil-lined cardboard take-out containers and lids
- Aluminum beverage containers can be returned to depot for deposit refund or included in container recycling
Accepted Materials
- For food including pet food; tins for cookies, tea, chocolates, etc.; includes metal lid
- Empty and rinse cans. Labels are OK
- Remove lids, drop into can and squeeze slightly
Where Accepted
- Curbside collection
- Multi-family collection
- Recycle BC depots
Not Accepted
- Steel paint cans
- Coat hangers (return to dry cleaners)
- Pots, pans and baking trays
- Propane cylinders
- Metal toys
- Appliances
- Metal hardware or other scrap metal
- Wiring or metal cords, extension cords
- Steel beverage cans can be returned for deposit refund or included in container recycling
Recycle at Depot or in Glass Only Bin (if applicable)
Accepted Materials
- Clear or coloured non-deposit glass bottles and jars. Check with your recycling collector for instructions.
Where Accepted
- Separately in curbside collection — confirm with your recycling collector
- Separately in multi-family collection — confirm with your recycling collector
- Recycle BC depots
Not Accepted
- Drinking glasses or dishes, cookware
- Whole or broken window glass or mirrors
- Ceramic products
- Light bulbs and light fixtures
- Deposit glass can be returned to depot for deposit refund or included in segregated glass recycling
Recycle at Depot Only
Accepted Materials
- Bags for groceries or dry cleaning, bread, newspapers and flyers
- Bags for produce, dry bulk foods and frozen vegetables
- Outer bags and wrap for diapers, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, tissues and soft drink can flats
- Bags for water softener salt and garden products
- Overwrap on mattresses, furniture and electronic equipment
Where Accepted
Not Accepted
- Kitchen stretch wrap
- Shrink wrap
- Packaging labelled biodegradable or compostable
- Lumber or construction wrap
- Garbage bags (all colours)
- Any bag sold as a product
Accepted Materials
- Plastic foam containers and trays used for meat and produce
- Foam egg cartons
- Foam clamshells, cups and bowls for take-out food
- Foam cushion packaging to protect electronics, small appliances, etc.
Where Accepted
Not Accepted
- Liquid-absorbing pads used in trays for meat, poultry, fish, etc.
- Labels, tape, paper and cardboard on foam packaging
- Foam peanuts, packing chips, or noodles
- Blue or pink foam board insulation
- Napkins, cutlery
- Squishy or flexible foam
- Furniture cushions
OTHER FLEXIBLE PLASTIC PACKAGING
Other Flexible Plastic Packaging includes stand-up and zipper lock pouches, crinkly wrappers and bags, flexible packaging with seal, woven and net plastic bags, and non-food protective packaging.
Download a full list of materials in English, French, Chinese, Punjabi or Korean.
Accepted Materials
- Zipper lock pouches for frozen foods like prawns, berries, vegetables; fresh foods like fruit. deli meat, etc.
- Zipper lock and tear-open pouches for cannabis product
- Stand-up pouches for dried fruit and nuts, quinoa, grated cheese, dish detergent pods, etc.
- Bags for potato chips, wrappers for cheese slices and candy bars, cereal bags
- Packaging for dry pasta, pre-packaged deli meats
- Net bags for avocados, onions, citrus fruit
- Padded protective plastic like plastic shipping envelopes, bubble wrap, plastic air packets
- Flexible packaging with plastic seals for fresh pasta, cheese, deli meats. Plastic seals, like those used on yogurt containers, are also accepted
Where Accepted
Not Accepted
- Plastic squeeze tubes
- Plastic-lined paper
- Cellophane wrap
- Plastic strapping
- 6-pack ring
- Biodegradable plastic
- PVC/vinyl
- Squishy foam
- Plastic blister packs e.g. plastic/foil protective packaging for chewing gum and pills