How does recycling work in Vancouver?

Five years ago, B.C. adopted a recycling model in which producers of products that sell items with packaging and paper in the province are required to deal with those materials. Businesses pay fees based on the amount of packaging and paper they supply to offset the costs of collecting, processing and recycling.

Is recycling mandatory in Vancouver?

Food scraps separation has been mandatory for residents and businesses in Metro Vancouver since January 2015. This applies to apartments and condos as well as detached homes. Like with other recyclable materials, Metro Vancouver has placed a disposal ban on organic materials, like food scraps.

How do you dispose of pots and pans in Vancouver?

Only metal packaging items such as tin cans, foil trays, or empty aerosol containers are accepted in the municipal recycling program. Other metal items such as pots and pans, coat hangers, or hinges can be recycled at a scrap metal yard, otherwise they should be disposed as garbage.

Why is BC better at recycling than other places?

B.C.’s low contamination rate means the province’s raw recycled materials are usually high quality. Lefebvre says that makes them much easier to sell in an extremely competitive global market. “With some countries choosing not to accept materials anymore, it’s really shifting the supply and demand equation,” he said.

Who picks up recycling in Vancouver?

Waste Management
Recycle BC’s multi-family collection contractor in the City of Vancouver is Waste Management. They can be reached at 604-282-7961.

What do I do with a used mattress in Vancouver?

To recycle your mattress and box spring, you can:

  1. Bring it to the transfer station or landfill for a fee.
  2. Hire a mattress recycling company or junk removal company.

What does Vancouver do with their garbage?

Most of the waste Vancouver sends to landfill or incinerates comes from construction and demolition sites, and is composed chiefly of wood and scrap metal. Spoiled and uneaten food represents about 25% of all residential garbage in B.C., more than any other type of waste.

Can you recycle toothbrushes?

Of the things you thought you could recycle; your old toothbrush is probably not high on the list. But now oral healthcare giant Colgate and the recycling firm TerraCycle are launching the Colgate Oral Care Recycling Programme, a free nationwide recycling scheme for oral care products and their packaging.

How do you dispose of pillows in Vancouver?

Depending on the type of item and its condition, it will be reused, re-purposed or recycled. Vancouver Zero Waste Centre located at 8588 Yukon. For more information, including hours of operation, go to Zero Waste Centre. For updates on City services during COVID-19 visit vancouver.ca/covid.

Who funds recycle BC?

Our program is funded by businesses, like retailers, manufacturers and restaurants that supply packaging and paper products to BC residents, shifting costs away from homeowners.