Recycling Hard Plastics In Nanaimo: Where To Go?

where to recycle hard plastic in nanaimo

Recycling hard plastics in Nanaimo, British Columbia, is now easier than ever. The province has recently expanded its recycling program to include more single-use plastic items, which can be dropped off at recycling depots or put in residential blue bins for regular collection. This means that a wider range of plastic items, such as plastic bowls, cups, and straws, can be recycled and diverted from landfills. Nanaimo is home to several recycling depots, including Regional Recycling Nanaimo and Return-It, which offer convenient ways for individuals and businesses to recycle various materials, including hard plastics. These depots provide full deposit refunds for eligible beverage containers and accept electronics, lights, household items, appliances, and more. With these options available, residents of Nanaimo can conveniently and responsibly recycle their hard plastics, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Characteristics Values
Location Nanaimo, British Columbia
Items Accepted Plastic bottles, plastic bags, plastic overwrap, plastic plates, cups, bowls, cutlery, straws, electronics, lights, household recycling, appliances, smoke alarms, batteries, paint, pesticides, beverage containers, milk containers, cans, scrap metal
Services Curbside collection, drop-off, pickup for bottle drives and commercial businesses
Refunds Full deposit refunds for eligible beverage containers, including milk containers worth $0.10 each
Contact Phone: 250-751-2358, Email: [email protected]

shunpoly

Regional Recycling Nanaimo bottle depots

Regional Recycling Nanaimo operates two bottle depots in Nanaimo, British Columbia. The depots are committed to reducing waste and providing a convenient and efficient way for individuals and businesses to recycle a variety of materials, including bottles, cans, and electronics. They accept all types of metal for recycling and provide free recycling for electronics.

Regional Recycling Nanaimo offers a comprehensive recycling service, allowing customers to drop off a wide range of items for free, including electronics, lights, household items, appliances, smoke alarms, batteries, paint, and pesticides. They also accept hazardous materials, ferrous metals (steel and iron), and even exercise equipment. Additionally, they provide full deposit refunds for all eligible beverage containers, including milk containers, which are now worth 10 cents each.

The bottle depots are an excellent option for organizations looking to fundraise while contributing to the environment. They offer convenient recycling pickup services for bottle drives and commercial businesses with large quantities of refundable beverage containers.

By recycling bottles, you can help reduce energy consumption and conserve resources. Regional Recycling Nanaimo has the tools and knowledge to properly handle and dispose of bottles and cans, contributing to a more sustainable environment.

shunpoly

Return-It Electronics program

The Return-It Electronics program is British Columbia's first electronic waste recycling program. It is the only program that ensures end-of-life electronics are recycled responsibly. The program accepts a wide range of electronic waste, including small appliances and power tools, such as toasters, hand-held drills, countertop microwaves, vacuums, and bench-top table saws.

Additionally, the Return-It Electronics program accepts consumer batteries weighing less than 5 kilograms. This includes household batteries, as well as batteries for small appliances and power tools. The program also accepts household (architectural) paint and paint aerosols, although PaintShare may only be available at select collection sites in BC.

It is important to note that beverage containers should have their caps left on to ensure all plastic pieces are recycled. Alcohol beverage containers registered with Encorp Pacific's Return-It system are guaranteed a full deposit refund at all locations. However, refillable beer bottles and some aluminum alcohol containers are not managed by Encorp Pacific. These are the responsibility of the BC Brewers Recycled Container Council (BRCCC) and are covered under their Stewardship Plan.

Return-It sites not licensed by BRCCC may still accept these containers, but only a partial deposit refund may be offered. It is recommended to check with each Return-It site to understand what BRCCC materials and products are accepted and the corresponding refund.

shunpoly

Beverage containers

The range of beverage containers that can be recycled is extensive. Plastic bottles, including those for soft drinks, water, juice, and milk, can be recycled. Nanaimo's recycling program also accepts refillable beer bottles, aluminium cans, and some aluminium alcohol containers. Gable-top drink cartons, made from paper and plastic, can be recycled, as well as glass bottles for non-alcoholic drinks.

Some beverage containers are not managed by Encorp Pacific and are the responsibility of the BC Brewers Recycled Container Council (BRCCC). These include refillable beer bottles and some aluminium alcohol containers. Return-It sites that are not licensed by BRCCC may still accept these containers, but only a partial deposit refund may be given.

Nanaimo's recycling program also accepts a wide range of other materials, including electronics, lights, household recycling, appliances, smoke alarms, batteries, paint, and pesticides. The city also recycles all types of metal, although only some locations purchase non-ferrous scrap metals.

shunpoly

Plastic bags and overwrap

The Nanaimo Recycling Depot also provides educational information about recycling, helping to promote a greener lifestyle. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and always willing to help. It is an excellent way to contribute to the environment and earn some extra cash. They also offer convenient recycling pickup for commercial businesses with large amounts of refundable beverage containers.

In addition to the Nanaimo Recycling Depot, there are two Regional Recycling bottle depots in Nanaimo, British Columbia. These depots are dedicated to reducing waste by providing a convenient and efficient way for individuals and businesses to recycle a variety of materials, including bottles, cans, and electronics. They offer full deposit refunds for all eligible beverage containers and accept milk containers, which are worth 10 cents each.

By recycling plastic bags and wraps, you can help reduce the amount of plastic waste in landfills and the environment, as well as their impact on the natural world. It is important to remember that all recyclables must be loose before the recycling process, and recyclables should never be placed in plastic bags as they can cause significant problems at the facility.

shunpoly

Residential blue bins

As of January 2023, the province of Nanaimo has expanded its recycling program to accept more hard plastic items at their depots and through residential blue bin programs. This includes single-use plastic items such as plastic plates, cups, bowls, cutlery, and straws. These items can be placed loosely in the blue bins without bagging or nesting them. It is important to rinse, squish, and flatten these items before placing them in the bin and ensure that they are under 60 cm wide or tall.

The blue bins are intended for residential use and are collected curbside. Residents are encouraged to only put accepted items into the blue bins to avoid recycling contamination and ensure that more of the collected material can be effectively recycled.

While the blue bins accept hard plastic items, they do not accept certain other materials. For example, glass is not accepted in the blue bins and must be taken to a depot. Other items that are not accepted in the blue bins include pails or bottles for lubricants or oils, containers for motor oil or antifreeze products, food waste, ceramic bowls, and foam pellets.

For a detailed list of acceptable items, residents can refer to the Recycle BC website, which provides printable lists in multiple languages, including French, Korean, Chinese, and Punjabi. By following these guidelines, residents of Nanaimo can properly utilize their residential blue bins to recycle hard plastic items and contribute to a more sustainable environment.

Frequently asked questions

You can recycle hard plastic at the Regional Recycling Depot in Nanaimo. They accept a wide range of items for free, including electronics, lights, household recycling, appliances, smoke alarms, batteries, paint, and pesticides.

In addition to hard plastic, you can recycle bottles and cans at the Regional Recycling Depot in Nanaimo. They also accept all types of metal for recycling and provide full deposit refunds for eligible beverage containers.

Yes, the City of Nanaimo has recently expanded its recycling program to accept more single-use plastic items. You can now recycle hard plastic items such as plastic bowls, cups, and cutlery through the residential blue bin program.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment