Recycling
Recycling is separated into bins or bags by category – containers and paper products. You can use as many water-resistant bins for recycling as you need, as long as they are separated by category.
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