Recycling program expands in Columbia Shuswap Regional District to include new items

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District has expanded its recycling program to include more items.

The change took place on Jan. 1, with Recycle BC adding single-use products and packaging-like products to its residential recycling program.

The regional district, which partners with Recycle BC, says the expansion is an amendment to B.C.’s recycling regulations.

“Previously, only plastic, metal and glass packaging, and paper products were included in the Recycle BC program,” said the CSRD.

“This change adds items that are used as packaging or a single use to the list of accepted materials.”

Notably, some of the new items can be placed in residential recycling bins, while other items have to be dropped off at the CSRD recycling depot.

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Below are the items that can now be recycled.

Recyclable with paper products

• Paper party décor (paper decorations, signs, hats, tablecloths, pinatas)
• Paper gift bags and boxes
• 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)

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The CSRD says these new items must be placed in the correct bin at the regional recycling depot.

“This expanded material list will allow more material to be recycled and keep it out of landfills and the environment,” said the CSRD.

“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.”

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