Check Your Building's Recycling Rules

Description

Recycling in BC is more detailed than in most countries. Every building has its own bins and rules — and getting it wrong means your garbage doesn't get picked up, or your neighbours get fined. Takes 5 minutes to figure out once and saves ongoing headaches.

In person 5 min

Online N/A

What to do

1. Find the recycling and garbage area in your building — usually in the basement or a designated room

2. Look for labels or signs on each bin — most buildings have separate bins for recycling, organics, and garbage

3. Ask your landlord or building manager if the sorting rules aren't clear

4. Check if your building has a food scraps (organics) bin — these are common in Metro Vancouver

5. Note the pickup days if you live in a house — bins must be out by a specific time

Warnings

Contaminated recycling gets rejected

If you put the wrong items in the recycling bin, the whole bin may be rejected and treated as garbage
Common mistakes: greasy pizza boxes, plastic bags, and food-contaminated containers in recycling
Plastic bags and soft plastics usually do NOT go in regular recycling bins — take them to grocery store drop-off points instead
Rinse containers before putting them in recycling

Bottle and can deposits are refundable

Almost every drink container in BC has a 10-cent deposit built into the price — including milk and plant-based drinks
You can return them to any Return-It depot or bottle depot to get your money back
Don't throw them in the recycling bin — take them back and get the deposit refunded

Tips

What goes where in BC

Blue bin: paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, glass, and cans. Green bin (organics): food scraps, coffee grounds, paper towels. Black bin: everything else that can't be recycled. When in doubt, check your city's recycling guide online.

Bottle deposits add up

If you drink juice, water, or pop regularly, save your bottles and cans in a bag. A month's worth can easily add up to $5–15 back in your pocket at the Return-It depot.

Electronics and batteries

Old phones, chargers, and batteries cannot go in regular garbage or recycling. Drop them off at any London Drugs, Best Buy, or designated e-waste bin — it's free.

Buildings vary

Condo buildings, rental apartments, and houses all have slightly different setups. What works in one building may not apply in another — always check the specific rules for where you live.

When in doubt, use garbage

If you're not sure where something goes, it's better to put it in garbage than contaminate recycling. Incorrect recycling can cause the entire bin to be rejected.

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