Omar Khalid
Plastic bags are a major source of pollution, and recycling them is crucial for the environment. While soft plastics are hard to recycle, Vancouver has made significant strides in this area. Recycle BC, which operates the home recycling industry in British Columbia, has been accepting soft plastic bags since January 2023, but only at its depots and not through curbside pickup. Additionally, Vancouver has a VanCollect smartphone app that helps residents identify which garbage goes in which bin. This article will explore the options available for recycling plastic bags in Vancouver and provide insight into the challenges and solutions for soft plastic recycling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soft plastic bags | Accepted for recycling since January 2023, but only at depots, not through curbside bin and bag pickup |
| Plastic bags with cloth, rope, or ribbon handles | Recyclable once handles are removed |
| Crinkly wrappers and bags | Included in a province-wide recycling program for packaging and printed paper under "Other Flexible Plastic Packaging" |
| Plastic overwrap | Included in a province-wide recycling program |
| Recycling app | Vancouver has an app to help residents determine where different types of garbage go |
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What You'll Learn
Soft plastics recycling
The Recycling Council of British Columbia (RCBC) provides valuable information on soft plastics recycling. They recommend visiting their RCBC Recyclepedia or contacting the RCBC Recycling Hotline to find drop-off options for plastic bags and overwrap in one's community. Additionally, they clarify that "certified biodegradable" or "certified compostable" plastics may not always biodegrade properly in commercial composting facilities, so it is safer to exclude them from green bins unless specified otherwise by the municipality or service provider.
Recycle BC, the organization responsible for residential plastic packaging collection and recycling in British Columbia, has specific guidelines for soft plastics. Since January 2023, they have accepted soft plastic bags at their depots but not through curbside bin and bag pickup. They also provide a recycling app to help residents identify recyclable materials and locate the nearest depot. All flexible plastics, including plastic bags, crinkly wrappers, and stand-up zipper-lock pouches, can be collected in one bag or container for convenient drop-off at designated depots.
To effectively recycle soft plastics in Vancouver, it is important to separate them from other recyclables and follow the guidelines provided by local organizations such as Recycle BC and RCBC. Soft plastics should be taken to designated drop-off locations or recycling centres, rather than placed in curbside bins. By properly disposing of soft plastics, residents can contribute to reducing landfill waste and promoting the recycling of these materials into new products.
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Recycling symbols
Plastic bags can be recycled in Vancouver, but they must be taken to a recycling centre or a place like London Drugs. Plastic bags and overwrap are included in a province-wide recycling program under Recycle BC.
- PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate): This is the most common type of plastic for single-use bottled beverages as it is inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to recycle. It is used for soft drink bottles, mineral water containers, fruit juice containers, and cooking oil containers.
- HDPE (high-density polyethylene): This type of plastic is versatile and carries a low risk of leaching. It is commonly found in milk jugs, juice bottles, detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, trash bags, shopping bags, and butter tubs.
- LDPE (low-density polyethylene): This type of plastic is flexible and has various applications. It is often found in bread bags, shopping bags, Ziploc bags, and furniture.
- PP: This type of plastic is widely recycled and is used for tubs and trays.
- PS: This type of plastic is used for takeaway boxes and disposable cutlery but is not easily recyclable.
- OTHER: This category includes plastics such as acrylic, polycarbonate, nylon, and fiberglass. These plastics are not always recyclable but can often be repurposed.
It is important to note that not all plastic items will have a recycling symbol, and the presence of a symbol does not guarantee recyclability. Additionally, local recycling guidelines may vary, so it is recommended to check with your municipality or local authority for specific instructions.
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Recycling apps
Plastic bags and overwrap are included in a province-wide recycling program under Recycle BC. This includes grocery and shopping bags, outer wrap for flats of beverage containers and diapers, garden product bags, and many more. These items can be dropped off at no cost at several depot locations across the province. Recycle BC is responsible for residential plastic packaging collection and recycling in British Columbia.
There are several recycling apps available to help you determine what goes where and find your nearest depot location. Here are some of the apps that can help you with your recycling queries:
- VanCollect smartphone app: This app can help you determine which garbage goes in which bin.
- Vancouver app: This app can help you identify where to recycle various items.
- Recycle BC app: This app provides information on what recyclable material goes where and helps you find your nearest depot location.
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Drop-off locations
Plastic bags and other soft plastics can be recycled in Vancouver, but they cannot be put in your curbside recycling bin. Instead, you must take them to a recycling centre or a drop-off location.
The Recycling Council of British Columbia (RCBC) provides a province-wide recycling program for plastic bags and plastic overwrap. This includes grocery and shopping bags, outer wrap for flats of beverage containers and diapers, garden product bags, and more. These items can be dropped off free of charge at various depot locations across British Columbia. Once recycled, these items are turned into new plastic bags, pallets, containers, or decking material.
To find your nearest drop-off location, you can visit RCBC's Recyclepedia or contact the RCBC Recycling Hotline.
Alternatively, you can download the Recycle BC app to find your nearest depot location. Recycle BC has combined all flexible plastics into one collection category, so you can collect all your flexible plastics in one bag or container and drop them off in a single collection bin on-site.
Some retail stores in Vancouver also offer plastic bag recycling. For example, London Drugs accepts soft plastics for recycling, and as of November 2023, several grocery store chains, including Save-On-Foods, Buy-Low Foods, Choices Market, and Nesters Market, will provide plastic bag recycling deposit bins in partnership with Vitacore, an environmental solutions company.
Additionally, the City of Vancouver offers a reusable shopping bag program where residents can donate clean and dry reusable shopping bags in good condition to various non-profits. These bags are then made available to community members for other purposes, such as garbage bin liners.
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Reusable plastic bags
In Vancouver, plastic bags are recyclable but only at specific locations. Recycle BC, which operates the home recycling industry in British Columbia, has accepted soft plastic bags since January 2023, but only at its depots and not through curbside bin and bag pickup. The accepted plastic bags include grocery and shopping bags, outer wrap for flats of beverage containers and diapers, and garden product bags.
There are several ways to recycle plastic bags in Vancouver. Firstly, you can download the Recycle BC app to find out where to drop off your plastic bags and find your nearest depot location. Secondly, you can visit the RCBC's Recyclepedia for drop-off options or contact the RCBC Recycling Hotline for specific instructions for your community.
Additionally, some grocery stores in Vancouver have started providing plastic reusable bag recycling deposit bins. These stores include the Jim Pattison-owned chain of Save-On-Foods, Buy-Low Foods, Choices Market, Nature's Fare Markets, PriceSmart Foods, Nesters Market, and Quality Foods.
It is important to note that not all plastic bags are recyclable. Plastic bags with cloth, rope, or ribbon handles can be recycled if these additions are removed. "Certified biodegradable" or "certified compostable" plastics may not be accepted by your municipality or service provider's processing facility.
If you are unable to recycle your plastic bags, consider reusing them or donating them to organizations in need. The City of Vancouver has a reusable shopping bag program where residents can donate and pick up free reusable shopping bags for personal use. Donated bags must be clean, dry, and in good condition, without any broken handles, ripped seams, or large holes.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can recycle plastic bags in Vancouver. Recycle BC has accepted soft plastic bags since January 2023, but only at its depots and not through the curbside bin and bag pickup.
You can drop off plastic bags at no cost at depot locations across British Columbia. Plastic bags can also be recycled at some B.C. grocery stores, including Save-On-Foods, Buy-Low Foods, Choices Market, Nature’s Fare Markets, PriceSmart Foods, Nesters Market, and Quality Foods.
Other flexible plastics can be recycled with plastic bags, including plastic overwrap, crinkly wrappers, stand-up zipper-lock pouches, and squishy cushion packaging.
Soft plastics cannot be recycled in Vancouver. This includes items like potato chip bags, bread bags, and bubble mailers. Plastic bags with cloth, rope, or ribbon handles can be recycled if these additions are removed.
