Recycling

The City of Courtenay provides bi-weekly collection of recyclable materials under the residential curbside collection program. These materials are collected under Recycle BC's packaging and paper recycling program. If you are unsure if an item can recycled through curbside collection try entering it in the Waste Wizard.

Curbside Collection Details: 
Frequency: Biweekly
Type: City issued cart

Location: Place cart on street with wheels against curb. For other options based on street configuration including bike lanes and on-street parking please refer to the Curbside Collection Guide provided with the cart or available at www.courtenay.ca/carts.

Please ensure all materials are at the curbside by 8:00 am on your collection day.

Materials must be placed loose in recycling bins, please do not place materials in clear plastic bags for collection. Shredded paper should be contained in a paper bag or cardboard box.

Materials accepted in your curbside bin:

PAPER:

  • newspapers, inserts, flyers
  • shredded paper (contained in a paper bag or cardboard box)
  • magazines, catalogues, yellow pages & white pages & other directories (no books, please donate them)
  • writing and home office paper, paper envelopes, notepads
  • paper gift wrap and greeting cards (musical greeting cards must go to depot with e-waste)
  • paper plates, bowls, cups (with thin plastic lining)
  • paper party décor (including paper decorations, signs, hats, tablecloths, pinatas)

PAPER PACKAGING AND CARDBOARD:

  • corrugated cardboard boxes – flattened
  • cardboard and boxboard boxes (used for cereal, shoes, tissues, pizza, frozen entrees, desserts, detergent, etc.)
  • cores for paper towels and toilet rolls
  • frozen dessert boxes (used for ice cream, frozen yogurt, etc.)
  • moulded boxboard packaging (used for egg cartons, take-out beverage trays, paper based seeding pots)
  • paper bags (also called Kraft paper)
  • multi-layered paper bags (used for flour, sugar, etc.) 
  • food cartons (soup, dairy, substitute eggs, juice, etc)

PLASTIC: 

  • plastic food storage containers and lids
  • plastic hangers (the type that comes with clothing)
  • single-use plastic plates, bowls and cups
  • plastic dental floss case and tape dispensers
  • plastic jugs with screw tops (used for cooking oil, laundry detergent, fabric softener, cleaning solutions, etc.)
  • plastic bottles with screw caps, spray, pumps or pull-up tops (used for food, dish soap, mouth wash, personal care products, pills and vitamins.)
  • plastic jars with wide mouths and screw-top lids (used for peanut butter, jam, nuts, condiments, vitamins and supplements, etc.)
  • plastic containers for cannabis products
  • plastic clamshell with hinged or click-closed tops (used for baked goods, produce, eggs, etc.)
  • plastic tubs and lids (used for margarine and spreads, yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream, etc.)
  • plastic black-bottom trays with clear tops (used for deli chicken, single serve meals, prepared foods, baked goods etc.)
  • Plastic drink cups with lids (used for take-out beverages)
  • single-use straws and stir sticks
  • plastic cutlery
  • microwavable bowls and cups
  • empty single-use coffee/tea pods (remove lids and do not include lids with recycling)
  • rigid plastic packaging (used for toothbrushes, batteries, ect. Remove paper backing and recycle separately)
  • plastic nursery pots and seedling trays
  • plastic plant pots (decorative)

METAL: 

  • food tins/cans and lids
  • metal containers (used for cookies, chocolates, etc.)
  • (NEW) thin gauge metal storage tins
  • aluminum foil wrap (clean),
  • aluminum take out containers, pie plates, baking dishes
  • empty aerosol cans

Recyclable items for Depot drop off:

Please do not place these items in your curbside blue bins.

Some items are recyclable but not able to be included in the curbside collection program due to incompatibility with machinery. Please deliver these items to the appropriate location for recycling. To find drop off locations, enter your item into the Waste Wizard. 

  • glass
  • Styrofoam packaging (meat trays, etc)
  • squishy foam-like cushion packaging
  • Styrofoam bowls, plates, cups
  • plastic overwrap (used on toilet paper, paper towel, feminine hygiene product packaging etc.)
  • plastic bags (grocery bags, bread bags, dry bulk foods, frozen vegetables etc.)
  • plastic re-useable bags
  • plastic wrap (does not include florist cellophane, this material goes into the garbage)
  • plastic drop sheets and coverings
  • other flexible plastic products (chip bags, candy wrappers, coffee bags, sandwich and freezer bags, etc.)
  • flexible plastic bubble wrap (no bubble wrap lined paper)
  • lights and light fixtures
  • batteries, cellphones
  • electronics and appliances
  • paint cans
  • scrap metal

If you'd like ideas on how to implement effective recycling at home, check out the video below on setting up a successful home recycling system that was put together by Comox Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM).

What is Recycle BC?

Recycle BC is a not-for-profit organization responsible for residential packaging and paper recycling throughout British Columbia. Recycle BC ensures material collected from households and recycling depots is sorted, and responsibly managed and recycled. They provide recycling services either directly to communities, or by working in partnership with local governments, First Nations, private companies, and other not-for-profit organizations. There are 183 communities who participate in recycling collection programs with Recycle BC, and even more are serviced by their recycling depots. In 2021, over 210,000 tonnes of materials were collected from households and depots.

The program is funded by businesses, like retailers, manufacturers and restaurants that supply recyclable material to BC residents.