Sunday April 18, 2021 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc,, Editor | Island Social Trends
Every two weeks in Greater Victoria each household has the good fortune in this region to have the convenience of recycling pickup at the curbside.
Most people have the paper side of things figured out — newspaper, office paper, phone books and other printed directories, shredded paper, and egg cartons are all okay — you know the drill. (No, don’t put in hard cover books, musical greeting cards, rubber bands or ribbons and bows). Most of this is common sense — it’s either paper or it’s not.
Paper packaging is recycled into new boxes, paper towels, tissues, paper-based plant pots, the paper cover for drywall liner, craft paper, and brown paper products including paper towels.
Learning the plastic drill:
But when it comes to plastic containers, it can be a bit more complicated. But it’s worth the effort (for the environment and keeping your home and garden organized).
Plastic is recycled into new packaging, broadloom, rope, brush bristles, car bumpers, household furnishings, decking, picnic tables, deck chairs and gardening supplies.
So let’s take a look:
Plastic Containers — what’s ok:
The Capital Regional District (CRD) posts the following list of accepted plastic containers and materials for curbside pickup:
- 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
Plastic containers — what’s not ok:
These are plastic-type things that you *cannot* put out to the curbside:
- 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
===== LINKS:
Recycle BC – what can be recycled
CRD (Greater Victoria area) – waste and recycling
