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What Can I Recycle In Vancouver?

Staying sustainable and focusing on our social impact is important to all of us at East West Markets. Most packaging and paper products can be collected curbside or taken to depots for recycling. Here’s a list of what’s approved and what needs to be taken elsewhere. 

Recycle In Paper Bin Or Reusable Yellow Bag

Accepted Materials

  • Newspapers, inserts, and flyers
  • Magazines and catalogues
  • Telephone books and other directories 
  • Writing and home office paper, paper envelopes, and paper notepads
  • Paper gift wrap and greeting cards
  • Shredded paper
  • Cardboard boxes used for shipping, grocery and liquor store boxes, and pizza boxes
  • Cardboard boxes used for cereal, shoes, tissues, pizza, frozen dinners, desserts, detergent, etc
  • Cardboard packaging for cannabis products
  • Carrier trays for bottled water, soft drinks, cans, food, etc
  • Paper towel and toilet paper rolls
  • Egg cartons, beverage trays, and paper-based plant pots
  • Paper bags, kraft paper, and envelopes
  • Multi-layered paper bags used for flour, sugar, etc

Not Accepted Materials

  • Hardcover and paperback books - donate or sell
  • Ribbon and bows - reuse
  • Musical greeting cards with batteries - contact Recycling BC
  • Rubber bands - reuse
  • Plastic bags used to cover newspapers - recycle at Recycle BC Depot
  • Cardboard boxes with wax coating - reuse
  • Paper towels, napkins, and tissue - include with green waste

Recycle In Container Bin

Accepted Materials

  • Plastic jugs with screw tops
  • Plastic bottles with screw caps, spray pump, or pull-up tops
  • Plastic jars with wide mouths and screw top lids
  • Plastic packaging for cannabis products
  • Plastic clamshells with hinged tops for baked goods, fruit, produce, eggs, etc
  • Plastic black-bottom trays and clear tops for deli and single serve meals
  • Plastic tubs and lids for food such as butter, spreads, dairy products, etc
  • Plastic cold drink cups with lids for takeout beverages
  • Plastic garden pots and trays
  • Plastic pails less than 25L for laundry detergent, ice cream, pet food, etc
  • Microwaveable bowls and cups
  • Empty single-use coffee and tea pods
  • Rigid plastic packaging for toys, toothbrushes, batteries, etc
  • Paper cups 
  • Cartons and boxes for milk, cream, broth, etc
  • Frozen dessert boxes
  • Aluminum cans and lids
  • Aluminum foil wrap
  • Foil take-out containers including pie plates
  • Empty aluminum aerosol containers used for air freshener, shaving cream, deodorant, hair spray, etc
  • Steel tins for pet food, cookies, tea, chocolates, etc

Not Accepted Materials

  • Containers for motor oil and antifreeze - call RCBC Hotline
  • Packaging labelled biodegradable or compostable - compost
  • Plastic wrap - start using reusable beeswax food wrap instead
  • Ceramic plant pots - reuse
  • Plastic paint cans - call RCBC Hotline
  • Beverage bottles or jugs for juice, flavoured tea, etc - return to depot for deposit refund
  • Straws - start using reusable metal straws instead
  • Spray paint cans - call RCBC Hotline
  • Aluminum beverage containers - return to depot for deposit refund
  • Coat hangers - reuse or return to drycleaners
  • Pots, pans, and baking trays - donate or reuse
  • Metal toys - donate or sell
  • Appliances - donate or sell
  • Steel beverage cans - return to depot for deposit refund