Recycle BC helps British Columbians recycle packaging and paper

Are you not sure what to do with your plastic bags, soft plastic packaging or foam packaging?

One organization is making a difference and helping ensure Okanagan residents have more opportunity to recycle their packaging and paper.

Recycle BC, the not-for-profit organization responsible for residential packaging and paper recycling in B.C., is hosting a series of pop-up depots this summer in Okanagan Falls, Peachland, Cherryville and Beaverdell on a rotating schedule from July to September.

“The pop-up depots allow residents in these or surrounding communities to bring their packaging and paper to us for convenient recycling,” Recycle BC marketing and communications director Lyndsey Chauhan says.

The pop-up depots accept paper, cardboard, plastic containers, metal containers, cartons, non-deposit glass bottles and jars, foam packaging, plastic bags and overwrap, and flexible plastic packaging. For a complete list of pop-up events and locations, visit RecycleBC.ca/PopUp.

“To help prepare for your visit, you can pre-sort your materials, but we will have staff onsite to help with the process. All you need to do is show up with your packaging and paper recycling,” Chauhan said.

Recycle BC services more than two million households—more than 99% of B.C.—through curbside, multi-family and depot services. Recycle BC collects more than 210,000 tonnes of materials annually, an average of more than 41 kilograms per person.

The program is fully funded by companies like retailers, manufacturers and restaurants, shifting costs away from homeowners.

“We ensure packaging and paper products are collected from households and recycling depots, sorted and responsibly managed and recycled,” Chauhan says.

In addition to offering recycling services, Recycle BC educates residents on how to recycle correctly, ensuring the long-term success of its program.

“We would love to see you,” Chauhan says. “Stop by, learn, and recycle.”

Recycle BC provides recycling services directly to communities or works in partnership with local governments, First Nations, private companies and other not-for-profit organizations. There are 183 communities that participate in the recycling collection program and more that utilize the recycling depots service.

If residents can’t attend one of the pop-up depot events, Recycle BC’s permanent depot list can be searched at RecycleBC.ca/Depots.

This article is written by or on behalf of the sponsoring client and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.