Recycling in Vancouver: the definitive guide
November 30, 2007
Recycling bottles, cans, paper and plastics and composting leftover coffee grounds and orange peels can sometimes be confusing. Scratching your head over what to do with a dead houseplant? Not sure where to recycle your old cell phone? We’ve compiled a definitive list of what goes where to help you sort through what’s rubbish and what’s not.
Every item that is thrown away has taken energy and resources to manufacture and distribute, not to mention all of the energy it will take to dispose of. So: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
The City of Vancouver’s recycling program has two streams: the Blue Box Program for households or the Apartment Program for multi-family housing.
Newsprint
(newspapers and newspaper inserts only)
Paper
(magazines, cardboard, junk mail, phone books, writing paper, envelopes, pizza boxes)
Containers
(metal cans, glass bottles or jars, plastic bottles and jugs (types 1,2,4 + 5), aluminum foil and foil containers)
Not accepted:
No waxed paper, milk cartons, drink boxes, paper, towels, plastic bags or string
No aerosol cans, dishes, mirrors, windows, toys, stryofoam, or other types of plastic
You can drop off large loads of flattened cardboard at Vancouver’s main recycling depot at 377 West Kent Avenue North, where they also accept small and large appliances and other materials for no drop free.
Call the BC Recycling Hotline for information on bottle deposits, paint, solvents, pesticides and other hazardous household waste.
Call the Regional Compost Hotline at 604.736.2250 for information regarding vermiculture (worm composting), grasscycling and general composting info.
There are several other ways to downsize the stuff in your garage, your closet space and filling up your kitchen junk draw.
The Canadian company On & On écolo chic lets you donate old togs or buy new ones made from recycled fabrics. When you’re ready to trade in your winter coat or update your favourite jeans, drop them off at local shelters and charities that are accepting donations. The Salvation Army turns revenues from donated clothing into job training programs and other services.
Still left with some junk you don’t want to or can’t dump in the landfill? Freecycle, a grassroots and nonprofit network where unwanted items are traded free of charge, is worth checking out. For bigger items, try Craigslist Vancouver or Habitat for Humanity, located across Canada.
For other creative ideas on recycling and reusing random stuff, visit Recycle This or its partner site Compost This.
Batteries:
Electronics Recycling Canada
Nu-Life Industries
Rechargable Battery Recycling Corp.
Cardboard
Urban Impact Recycling
Computer equipment
Desktop computers, computer monitors, notebook computers, desktop printers and fax machines, and televisions are part of the Return-It Electronics Stewardship Program.
Eyeglasses
Third World Eyecare Society
Fluorescent light tubes
Nu-Life Industries
Glass
Metro Materials Recovery
Paint
Go Green Depot & Recycling
Joe’s Bottle Depot 604-873-0924
Ladner Bottle Depot
Plant Pots
Port Kells Nursery
Styrofoam
Mansonville Plastics
Packaging Depot 604-325-9966
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