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Focus on Materials: Plastic Container Packaging

Many types of plastic container packaging are accepted in the Recycle BC packaging and paper product recycling program, including several containers that you might not think to include. (Note, while the references below are to lids, you can also recycle caps, tops, pumps, and spray nozzles.) Plastic cold drink cups and lids: These containers are …

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Packaging Codes: An Explanation

If you take a close look at the bottom of a plastic bottle or jar, you might notice a symbol consisting of a number surrounded by a triangle or three arrows in the shape of a triangle—this is called the resin identification code. Many people think that this symbol means that the package can be …

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What about Compostable or Biodegradable Packaging?

Compostable or biodegradable packaging is not accepted in Recycle BC’s program as it is incompatible with the recycling process. But what does that mean? When material is collected from residents’ curbs or from multi-family buildings, it is taken to a processing facility to be sorted into groups of like materials and baled. The result is …

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Progress Reporting: When and What

Two closely-related questions that Multi-Material BC (MMBC) receives are “Where does my recycling go?” and “When does MMBC have to report on its program?” The Recycling Regulation, which is the reason why MMBC exists, specifies that a stewardship program, such as MMBC, must issue a public report annually (by July 1) that describes the previous …

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What Does Non-Profit Really Mean?

Multi-Material BC (MMBC) is registered as a non-profit organization under BC’s Society Act, which specifically prohibits non-profit organizations from “carrying on a business, trade, industry or profession for profit or gain”. This means that for us to maintain our status as a non-profit organization, MMBC cannot—and does not—operate with the intention of making a profit. …

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How Clean Do Materials Need to Be?

We encourage residents to rinse their containers before adding them to recycling, but is this necessary? How clean do they need to be? Rinsing your containers before adding them to the recycling bin makes for a more pleasant recycling experience at home and in recycling facilities, and can help ensure that more materials are recycled. …

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How Does MMBC Manage Packaging and Printed Paper?

The Multi-Material BC (MMBC) recycling program accepts packaging and printed paper from BC residents. But what happens to the material once it is collected? Packaging and printed paper is collected from residents in three ways: from residents’ curbs, from multi-family buildings, or from depots that accept MMBC materials. Material collected from residents’ curbs and from …

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Focus on MMBC Materials: Recycling Plastic Bags and Overwrap

We receive many questions about recycling plastic bags and overwrap and why these materials are accepted only at depots that operate as Multi-Material BC (MMBC) depots. This is a change for those residents in BC where curbside collection of plastic bags was previously available. Below we outline why we shifted collection to depots only, and …

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