Tin foil, aluminum foil baking dishes, plastic wrap and straws can all be recycled now.
As of Jan. 1, 2023 Recycle BC has added single-use products and packing-like products to its residential recycling program.
The goal has always been to keep more out of the landfills. The change is the result of an amendment to the BC Recycling Regulation.
"The ban of single use plastics in Canada is important," Terri McClymont, executive director at REAPS (Recycling and Environmental Action Planning Society), said. "More importantly is for individuals to switch to reusable where possible and that manufacturers design and build with the environment in mind. BC is stepping it up further with the 'new' items that can go into our blue bins at curb or return to the depots. This will help to keep recyclable items out of the landfill and from littering our environment. The onus is on the individual to ensure that they recycle these items."
Previously, only plastic, metal and glass packaging, and paper products were included in the Recycle BC program.
Here’s a list of what these newly accepted items include:
Recyclable with paper:
- Paper party decor (paper decorations, signs, hats, tablecloths, pinatas)
- Paper gift bags and boxes
- Paper lunch bags
- Cardboard moving, filing boxes
Recyclable with containers:
- Plastic plates, bowls and cups
- Paper plates, bowls and cups (with thin plastic lining)
- Plastic food storage containers
- Plastic cutlery and straws
- Plastic hangers (that come with clothing)
- Aluminum foil wrap
- Aluminum foil baking dishes and pie plates
- Metal storage tins (thin gauge)
Recyclable with flexible plastics - at depots only:
- Plastic sandwich and freezer bags
- Plastic shrink wrap
- Flexible plastic drop sheets and covering
- Flexible plastic bubble wrap (no bubble wrap-lined paper)
- Flexible plastic recycling bags (blue, clear bags, or yellow or blue bags used for curbside collection)
- Flexible plastic carryout shopping bags (reusable)
This expanded material list will allow more material to be recycled and keep it out of landfills and the environment. Residents play a key role in recycling this material as the first step in the process – allowing materials to be collected – by putting it in their bins or taking it to a depot.
View the full list of newly accepted materials at RecycleBC.ca/NewItems.
View the full material list at RecycleBC.ca/Materials.
REAPS is your Prince George resource that promotes the 7Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair, Refuse, Rot, Rent).
For more information visit www.reaps.org.
