Recycling
Recycling is separated into bins or bags by containers and paper products. You can use as many water-resistant bins for recycling as you need.
Blue bags must be the ones provided by the City. Just make sure your items are empty and clean-ish! A quick rinse reduces pests and odours at home, ensures recycling equipment and workers aren’t harmed and guarantees more items can be recycled.
What is Accepted in Curbside Recycling?
Plastic Containers
- Plastic containers (yogurt, ice cream pails, etc.)
- Plastic jugs with screw tops (detergent, cleaning and body care products, etc.)
- Plastic bottles with screw caps, spray pump, or pull-up tops (dish soap, shampoos, pills, etc.)
- Plastic jars (peanut butter, condiments, etc.)
- Empty single-use coffee and tea pods; do not include lids with recycling
Food Containers & Dinnerware
- Plastic clam shells (fruit, bakery containers, etc.)
- Plastic bowls, plates, trays and cups (frozen entrees, single use dinnerware)
- Hot and cold paper cups or plastic drink cups and lids
Metal, Foil & Misc. Plastics
- Metal food and beverage containers (soup cans, pie plates, foil, etc.)
- Plastic garden pots and trays (plants, seedlings, vegetable plants, etc.)
- Rigid plastic packaging with paper backing removed (toothbrushes, batteries, toys, etc.)
- Plastic straws, stir sticks and single use plastic cutlery
- Plastic and metal lids from containers
- Cartons and Tetra Paks (milk, soup, juice, etc.)
Cardboard
- Box board (shoe boxes, tissue boxes, food boxes, etc.)
- Flattened corrugated cardboard (no larger than 30 x 30 in or 75 x 75 cm)
- Cores for paper towels and toilet tissue
Paper
- Printer and construction paper, catalogues, magazines and newspapers
- Envelopes, greeting cards and junk mail
- Shredded paper
- Parchment and wrapping paper and paper bags
What is NOT Accepted in the Recycling Cart?
Non-Recyclable Plastics & Paper
- Wax paper, non-paper gift wrap and foil gift wrap
- Plastic packaging foam and trays for meat/produce
- Plastic blister packs (e.g. plastic/foil protective packaging for gum and pills)
- Plastic squeeze tubes (toothpaste, etc.)
- Padded envelopes with plastic or bubble layer
- Biodegradable/compostable plastics
- Foil-lined cardboard take-out containers and lids
- Rubber bands
Items Accepted at Depots & Return-It Programs
- Flexible plastic (overwrap, bags, food storage, etc.)
- Crinkly cellophane wrap (candy, chip bags, etc.)
- Glass bottles or jars
- Refundable beverage containers that can be returned to Castlegar Return-It Depot
Items Accepted at Hazardous Waste Programs
- Lightbulbs
- Batteries
- Musical greeting cards with batteries
- Containers for motor oil, vehicle lubricant or antifreeze products
- Paints, solvents and hazardous materials
- Propane cylinders
Household Goods
- Books
- Non-packaging plastic (toys, wares, etc.)
- Pots, pans, and other scrap metal