Alexei Volkov
In British Columbia (BC), the recycling of plastic waste is managed by Recycle BC, a non-profit organization that operates on behalf of producers. Recycle BC is responsible for collecting and recycling residential plastic packaging and has implemented a province-wide recycling program for flexible plastic packaging, such as wrappers and bags. The organization also provides sorting information and a recycling app to help residents improve their recycling habits. Most of the plastic collected by Recycle BC is managed and recycled within BC, with less than 1% being shipped overseas. The CleanBC Plastics Action Plan aims to reduce single-use plastic waste and transition to a circular economy, where resources are reused, recycled, and reintroduced as new products. Regulatory changes have been made to include more single-use items and packaging products in BC's recycling system, with a focus on encouraging companies to design less harmful plastic packaging.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Organization responsible for recycling plastic in BC | Recycle BC |
| Type of organization | Not-for-profit |
| Funding | Over 1,200 businesses that include retailers, manufacturers, and restaurants |
| Plastic management | 98% of the plastic collected is recycled, mostly in BC |
| Plastic sent overseas | Less than 1% |
| Plastic processed in BC | Processed by Merlin Plastics |
| Plastic sent to Malaysia | Some white foam packaging |
| Plastic waste reduction | CleanBC Plastics Action Fund |
| Plastic waste reduction method | Repair, reuse, and recycle plastics into new products |
| Plastic waste reduction funding | Over $14 million |
| Number of projects funded | 32 |
| Regulatory changes | Inclusion of single-use items and packaging products in BC's recycling system |
| Expanded materials list | Mattresses, electric-vehicle batteries, medical sharps, and compressed-fuel canisters |
| Recycling codes | 7 different codes |
| Example of recycling codes | #1 (PET), #2 (HDPE), #3 (PVC), #4 (LDPE), #5 (PP), #6 (PS), #7 (Other) |
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What You'll Learn
- Recycle BC: a not-for-profit organisation responsible for residential plastic collection and recycling
- Recycling codes: symbols on plastic items indicating whether they can be recycled
- Curbside recycling: blue bins and depot drop-off programs for residential plastic packaging
- Single-use plastics: B.C. is phasing out single-use plastics and promoting a circular economy
- Recycled plastic products: recycled plastics are processed into new products, like pellets and flakes
Recycle BC: a not-for-profit organisation responsible for residential plastic collection and recycling
Recycle BC is a not-for-profit organisation that manages residential packaging and paper recycling in British Columbia. The organisation ensures that household materials are collected from households and depots, sorted, and responsibly recycled. Recycle BC is funded by over 1,200 businesses, including retailers, manufacturers, and restaurants that supply packaging and paper to BC residents, shifting costs away from homeowners.
Recycle BC manages 98% of the plastic it collects, with most of it being recycled in BC. The organisation provides a network of depots across British Columbia where residents can drop off their recyclables. In addition, Recycle BC offers a collection service for flexible plastics and foam packaging. The organisation also provides a recycling app that helps residents identify what materials are recyclable and locate their nearest depot.
In BC, Recycle BC is responsible for residential plastic packaging collection and recycling. The organisation works with government regulations that stipulate that end markets for all their materials must be approved before transfer. As a result, 99% of the plastic collected by Recycle BC remains in Canada and is processed by Merlin Plastics. Less than 1% of the plastic is shipped overseas in the form of densified polystyrene, constituting only a portion of the foam they collect.
Recycle BC plays a crucial role in British Columbia's efforts to reduce single-use and plastic waste. The organisation's activities align with the province's transition to a circular economy, where resources are reused, recycled, and reintroduced as new products. Recycle BC also collaborates with First Nations communities and values their role as stewards of the environment. Through its work, Recycle BC aims to promote environmental sustainability and responsible waste management in British Columbia.
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Recycling codes: symbols on plastic items indicating whether they can be recycled
Plastic recycling symbols, also known as resin identification codes, are used to help identify different types of plastics and if they can be recycled. They are usually surrounded by a "chasing arrows" symbol and contain a number from 1 to 7 that defines the type of resin used. However, it's important to note that these symbols do not always indicate that a product is recyclable, recycled, or will be accepted by all recycling programs. Here are the most common recycling codes and their meanings:
- PET or PETE: This plastic is commonly used for soft drink bottles, fruit juice containers, and cooking oil containers. It is easily recyclable and is often part of curbside recycling programs. It can be recycled into new containers, carpet, and furniture.
- HDPE: HDPE stands for high-density polyethylene and is one of the most commonly used plastics in the United States. It is widely recycled and is used for containers such as milk cartons and cleaning product bottles. HDPE is lightweight, strong, and has a low risk of leaching, making it versatile for packaging. It can be recycled into pipes, oil bottles, pens, and detergent bottles.
- PVC: Polyvinyl chloride is used for car parts, window fittings, and piping. It is not easily recyclable and is rarely included in curbside recycling programs. However, in rare cases, it can be recycled into speed bumps, roadway gutters, and cables.
- LDPE: LDPE stands for low-density polyethylene and is used for plastic bags, shopping bags, and wrapping. It is not typically recycled through curbside bins but can be recycled into floor tiles and shipping envelopes at specialist points.
- PP: Polypropylene is marked with the number 5 symbol and is known for its durability, strength, and lightweight. It is used for ketchup bottles, medicine bottles, tubs, trays, and furniture. PP is increasingly being accepted in curbside recycling programs.
- PS: Polystyrene is used for takeaway boxes, disposable cutlery, and some food packaging. It is not easily recyclable.
- OTHER: This category includes plastics such as acrylic, polycarbonate, polylactic fibers, nylon, and fiberglass. Acrylic and polycarbonate can be recycled and repurposed for future projects.
It's important to note that local recycling programs may vary, so it's always a good idea to check with your local municipality or recycling facility to confirm which plastics they can recycle. Additionally, some symbols indicate compostability rather than recyclability. For example, the seedling logo indicates that a product is compostable, and the crossed-out wheelie bin symbol reminds you not to place electrical items in your waste bin.
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Curbside recycling: blue bins and depot drop-off programs for residential plastic packaging
In British Columbia, Recycle BC, a not-for-profit organization, is responsible for residential packaging and paper recycling. The program is funded by over 1,200 businesses, including retailers, manufacturers, and restaurants that supply packaging and paper to BC residents. Recycle BC ensures that household materials are collected from households and depots, sorted, and responsibly recycled.
Most residential packaging and paper can be collected curbside or taken to depots for recycling. However, a few items are only accepted at depots. Residents can use Recycle BC's Waste Wizard to search for materials and find out what can be recycled and where to take them.
Curbside recycling is provided through a combination of curbside collection, drop-off depots, and multi-family residential programs. The CRD blue box recycling program is one such example, where each home is provided with one CRD blue box and two blue bags. Residents can also drop off their recyclables for free at Recycle BC depots in their region.
In addition to the blue bins provided by the CRD, residents can use cardboard boxes, paper bags, and plastic bags as receptacles for their recyclables. However, it is important to note that these materials are not suitable for mixed containers or glass. If materials are left in unsuitable receptacles, they will not be collected.
Recycle BC manages 98% of the plastic it collects, and most of it is recycled right in BC. The organization also has a province-wide recycling program for "Other Flexible Plastic Packaging," which includes crinkly wrappers and bags. These plastics are not included in the curbside recycling program but can be dropped off at participating depots for free.
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Single-use plastics: B.C. is phasing out single-use plastics and promoting a circular economy
British Columbia (BC) is taking action to reduce single-use plastic waste and promote a circular economy. In a circular economy, resources are never disposed of but are instead reused, recycled, and reintroduced as new products. The Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation is one of the key actions the government is taking to phase out single-use plastic items and address waste and pollution in BC.
BC regulates the largest number of residential packaging and products in Canada through its extended producer responsibility programs. These programs stipulate that companies and producers are responsible for the collection and recycling of the products they create. This also encourages companies and producers to create and design less harmful plastic packaging. Recycle BC, a non-profit organization, manages the program on behalf of producers and is responsible for residential plastic packaging collection and recycling.
In 2020, regulatory changes were announced to include single-use items and packaging products in BC's recycling system, giving the industry a two-year transition period to prepare for implementation. As a result, people throughout BC can now easily recycle a wider array of single-use plastic items and packaging products in their residential blue boxes or at participating recycling depots. These items include plastic sandwich bags, throw-away party cups, bowls, and plates, which are commonly found on BC's shores.
To further support the transition to a circular economy, the Government of BC has announced over $14 million in funding through the CleanBC Plastics Action Fund for 32 projects that repair, reuse, and recycle plastics into new products. Additionally, BC will expand its extended producer responsibility programs to include mattresses, electric-vehicle batteries, medical sharps, and more moderately hazardous products.
It is important to note that there is no standard recycling program in BC that accepts all types of plastic products. Recycling options vary for different plastics, and some may need to be dropped off at specific locations rather than placed in curbside recycling bins.
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Recycled plastic products: recycled plastics are processed into new products, like pellets and flakes
In British Columbia, Recycle BC, a not-for-profit organization, is responsible for residential packaging and paper recycling. Recycle BC collects household materials from households and depots, sorts them, and ensures they are responsibly recycled. The CleanBC Plastics Action Plan, part of B.C.'s Extended Producer Responsibility Five-Year Action Plan, aims to change how plastic is designed and used, promoting the creation of less harmful plastic packaging.
Once collected, the plastic is sorted by type and sent to a processing facility. At the processing facility, the plastic is washed, shredded or ground into small plastic flakes. These flakes are then melted down into a polymer that can be used to make new plastic products. This process of melting and reforming the plastic is called extrusion. The extruded plastic is then cut into small, uniform pieces called pellets.
Recycled plastic pellets are manufactured through a process called pelletizing. The pellets tend to have a consistent size and shape, making them suitable for use in high-end products that require uniformity and consistency in their manufacturing process. These pellets are sold to manufacturers as raw material for new products such as packaging materials, bottles, and containers.
On the other hand, plastic regrinds are irregularly shaped pieces of recycled plastic produced by grinding down larger plastic products or manufacturing waste. This process results in smaller, less uniform pieces of plastic with a wider range of sizes and shapes. Regrinds are often used in the production of lower-grade plastic products, such as garden furniture or decking, where appearance is less important. They offer a cost-effective alternative for manufacturers who do not require a consistent raw material.
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Frequently asked questions
Recycle BC is a non-profit organization that manages the recycling of residential plastic packaging and paper in British Columbia. 99% of the plastic collected by Recycle BC remains in Canada and is processed by Merlin Plastics.
Many types of residential plastic packaging are accepted through curbside blue-bin and depot drop-off programs in BC. This includes plastic sandwich bags, throw-away party cups, bowls, plates, milk jugs, yogurt containers, butter tubs, and more.
The symbol consisting of a number surrounded by a triangle, or three arrows in the shape of a triangle, is a resin identification code that identifies the type of plastic an item is made of. However, this does not indicate whether the item can be recycled. For specific information on what types of plastic can be recycled in your area, visit RCBC's Recyclepedia or contact the RCBC Recycling Hotline.
The vast majority of plastic collected in BC is processed in Metro Vancouver and turned into pellets and flakes that are sold to the plastics industry. Less than 1% of residential plastics that are recycled are sent overseas, with most being dealt with locally.
The Government of BC has introduced legislation and funding initiatives to reduce single-use plastic waste and transition to a circular economy. This includes the CleanBC Plastics Action Plan, which aims to change how plastic is designed and used, encouraging the development of durable and reusable alternatives. Regulatory changes have also been implemented to include single-use items and packaging products in BC's recycling system.
