Sofia Martinez
The city of Victoria, BC, Canada, does not have a straightforward recycling program for plastic waste. Residents have to rely on private recycling depots such as Island Return It in Esquimalt, bottle depots, and some Thrifty Food locations to recycle their plastic waste. The city of Victoria also has a plastic bag ban in place, but residents have complained about the lack of curbside recycling options for plastic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic recycling in Victoria, BC, Canada | N/A |
| Plastic recycling symbol | Numbers and letters |
| Plastic items that can be recycled | Containers, jars, bottles, biscuit trays, yoghurt containers, drink bottles, berry punnets, sauce bottles |
| Soft plastics recycling | City of Kingston |
| Recycling options in Victoria, BC | London Drugs, Thrifty Food locations, Esquimalt Bottle Depot, Hartland |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic codes don't always indicate recyclability
Plastic codes, also known as Resin Identification Codes (RIC), are numbers found inside or underneath the chasing arrows recycling symbol. They indicate the type of plastic resin used in a product. However, these codes do not always signify whether a product can be recycled. This means that products with a certain code may not be recyclable, and some packaging without a code may be recyclable.
The presence of a recycling symbol without a code generally indicates recyclability. For instance, the Mobius symbol (three arrows in a circle) with a bottle and a jar in the middle denotes recyclable glass. Similarly, the Mobius symbol with an aluminium can signifies recyclable metal or steel.
Different types of plastics have distinct resin codes and recycling instructions. For example, plastic shopping bags are usually resin code #2 or #4 and can often be returned to stores for recycling. PP (polypropylene), found in some yoghurt containers and medicine bottles, is coded as #5 and is gradually becoming more accepted by recyclers. #7 plastics are a catch-all for various plastics that don't fall into the other categories and are rarely recycled due to the difficulty in separating their different types.
While plastic codes provide valuable information about the type of plastic, they do not always indicate whether an item can be placed in your recycle bin. It is important to check with your local recycling guidelines to understand which specific types of plastics they accept.
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Plastic bottles and containers are recyclable
In the City of Victoria, residents used to be able to recycle their plastic waste at the Bottle Depot, but this option is no longer available. As a result, residents have expressed their concerns and wishes for better curbside recycling options or for the city to accept plastic waste in its recycling program.
There are a few alternative options available for recycling plastic waste in Victoria, British Columbia. One option is to take the plastic waste to recycling depots like Island Return It in Esquimalt, which accepts soft plastics and packaging. Additionally, some Thrifty Food locations and the Esquimalt Bottle Depot are reported to accept non-rigid plastics.
To ensure efficient and sustainable recycling, it is important to develop simple habits. This includes rinsing recyclable containers, breaking down or flattening small cardboard boxes, and keeping recycling loose by not placing recyclables in plastic bags. These practices help reduce the contamination rate of recycling bins and contribute to a more sustainable environment.
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Plastic bags are not recyclable
In Victoria, BC, Canada, residents have complained about the lack of curbside recycling options for plastic bags. The city's council has a strong focus on going green, but plastic bag recycling does not seem to be a part of the discussion. While some retail and grocery stores have boxes for plastic bag collection at the front of their stores, the bins are often overflowing, and parking can be a nightmare.
Plastic bags cannot be recycled through traditional curbside recycling processes. They are made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a stretchable and flexible plastic that is not easily recyclable. The lightweight structure of plastic bags means they cannot be recycled with other plastics in curbside collection systems. They tangle in the gears of recycling trucks and get caught in sorting equipment, causing major delays and shutdowns. They also pose safety concerns for workers who have to physically climb into the machines to remove them.
Even if plastic bags could be sorted out by the machines, they are often too dirty for end-users to accept. The bags can melt together and gum up the recycling machinery. Plastic bags are one of the most labor-intensive items to sort, and they can cause entire plants to shut down.
Instead of recycling plastic bags, it is best to reduce or eliminate their use. Reusable bags are a more sustainable option and can be used multiple times before being recycled. Paper bags are also recyclable and a better alternative to plastic. If you do have plastic bags, consider reusing them as trash can liners, carriers, or packing material. Many grocery stores and retailers have collection bins specifically for plastic bags, ensuring they are properly managed and sent to the appropriate facilities.
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Soft plastics can be recycled at Island Return It in Esquimalt
Island Return It accepts a wide variety of materials for recycling, including small appliances, electronics, smoke alarms, batteries, light bulbs, old paint, power tools, and a wide variety of packaging. They also recycle flexible packaging, such as chip bags, granola bar wrappers, zipper lock bags, and deli meat packaging.
In addition to soft plastics, the Esquimalt location also accepts bi-metal containers, laminated foil and plastic pouches, and large "bags" of water in a cardboard carton. They also recycle plastic bottles, including coolers and some spirits, and glass bottles containing wine, spirits, imported beer, and coolers.
Island Return It is committed to making recycling a convenient and easy part of its customers' lifestyles by providing bright, clean, and well-organized facilities.
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Rigid plastics can be recycled at Hartland
The City of Victoria does not have a straightforward recycling program for plastic waste. Residents of Victoria, BC, Canada, have complained about the lack of curbside recycling options for plastics. However, there are a few alternatives for recycling plastic waste in the city.
One option is to take plastic waste to the Bottle Depot in Esquimalt, which accepts non-rigid plastics. Another option is to recycle plastics at Hartland, which takes almost all types of plastic. Thrifty Foods locations also accept plastic waste, and some residents have mentioned London Drugs as a drop-off point, although the recycling bins there tend to overflow.
It is important to note that the recycling symbol and number on plastic items do not always indicate their recyclability. These codes represent the type of plastic resin used, and some packaging with the same number might not be recyclable, while some packaging without the code might be.
When recycling plastics, it is essential to follow local guidelines and prepare the materials properly. Rinsing containers, breaking down cardboard boxes, and keeping recyclables loose in the bin, rather than bagged, can improve the efficiency and sustainability of the recycling process.
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Frequently asked questions
I could not find information on the city of Victoria, Australia, recycling plastics. However, the City of Ballarat in Victoria recycles plastic bottles and containers.
The Bottle Depot in Esquimalt accepts non-rigid plastics, as does the Island Return It depot.
Non-rigid plastics are also called soft plastics or flexible plastic packaging.
Yes, some Thrifty Food locations accept non-rigid plastics.
The City of Kingston in Victoria, Australia, provides information on how to recycle soft plastics.
