Recycling

RecycleBC Changes for 2023

RecycleBC made some changes, and single-use products and packaging-like products are being added to Recycle BC's accepted material list.

For a full list of the changes, go to RecycleBC New Items.

To get answers to more of you questions, check out the ACRD's FAQ on the changes Recycle BC implemented on January 1, 2023.

In 2020, the Province of BC updated the Recycling Regulation to add single-use products and packaging-like products to Schedule 5 of the regulation which covers the Packaging and Paper Product Category. The changes made by RecycleBC ensures these new regulations are being met.

Additional Resources

Recycle BC Depots locations and hours

Alberni Valley

3rd Ave Depot - 3620 3rd Ave, Port Alberni

Tuesday to Saturday: 9 am to 4:30 pm
Closed Sunday & Monday, and Statutory Holidays

AV Sort'nGo Centre Depot - 7080 McCoy Lake Rd

Hours
- Summer: Monday to Friday 8 am to 5:30 pm
  Saturday and Sunday 9 am to 4:30 pm
- Winter: Monday to Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm
  Saturday and Sunday 9 am to 4 pm

Bamfield

570 Bamfield Rd
Hours Monday to Saturday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Westcoast

Tuesdays and Fridays 10 am - 3 pm

Saturday 9 am - 3 pm

Other materials collected at Recycle BC depots

Extended producer responsibility services	3rd Av	AV Sort'nGo Centre	Bamfield	Tofino	Ucluelet
Batteries	x	x
Bikes		x
Cassette, VHS tapes, CD's, floppy discs, game cartridges	x
Electronics, computer equipment	x
Clothing (gently used)	x
Fridges and freezers		x
Gasoline, domestic pesticides, solvents	x
Lights, bulbs, fixtures, cords	x
Metal		x
Outdoor power equipment	x
Recycle BC materials (product packaging, paper)	x	x	x	x	x
Residential used antifreeze (incl. containers)		x
Residential used oil (incl containers and filters)		x
Small household appliances	x
Smoke alarms and thermostats	x
Soft cover books (no hard cover or textbooks)	x
Yard waste		x

Other recycling locations and items

To recycle an item not listed here, or at other locations in the ACRD

Go to the Recyclepedia website https://www.rcbc.ca/recyclepedia/search
Download the Recyclepedia app https://www.rcbc.ca/services/recyclepedia-app
Call or email the Recycling Hotline: 1-800-667-4321; hotline@rbc.ca
Check the Alberni Valley and West Coast Recycling Directory (e.g. beverage containers, tires, medications and much more)

Product Stewardship or Extended Producer Responsibility Programs (EPRP) are in place to recycle a wide variety of materials. waste chart

These programs keep material out of the land fill as required by the provincial Environment Management Act.

Recycling in BC ensures that materials are turned into commodities that can be sold on domestic and international markets.

EPRP programs include Recycle BC curbside and depot recycling, plus many other programs.

To view a list of items and where to recycle or dispose of them, download the Recycling Directory PDF

NEWSLETTERS

Alberni Valley Solid Waste and Recycling Newsletter May 2019

Since beginning operations in April 2019, Recycle Matters have recycled over 1500 mattresses from Port Alberni and are working to expand to accept mattresses from the Comox Valley and Nanaimo. This facility is not only diverting materials from our landfill but is providing quality work experience and jobs for individuals who experience barriers to employment in our community. As this recycling enterprise has grown, it has had to move from the 2nd Avenue location to Hector Road to accommodate their increased processing. The processing of larger volumes of materials can be done more efficiently with various equipment which Recycle Matters is slowly acquiring. The new Hector Road location is not set-up for direct drop-off of mattresses, and the public is being asked to use the AV Sort'nGo Centre drop-off location at 7080 McCoy Lake Road.

Recycle BC Materials List

Recycle BC Flexible Packaging

Decision Making Chart Recycle BC Other Flexible Plastic Packaging

Category Characteristics Recycle BC Other Flexible Plastic Packaging

ACRD RECYCLING PROGRAM - Recycle BC

RECYCLING INFORMATION

These things are NOT garbage:

2019 ACRD - Recycle BC - Curbside & Depot handouts

Curbside Recyclable Materials: Mixed paper, cardboard and boxboard; paper packaging that contained liquids; paper beverage cups and lids; tin and aluminum containers or foil; plastic bottles, containers and tubs under 25L; and empty aerosol cans.
Put these at the curb in your blue bin!
These can also be dropped off at either Depot Location FREE
3rd Ave Recycling Depot or the Sort'nGo Centre Recycling Depot

Depot Recyclable Materials: Plastic bags and overwrap; glass jars and containers; and Styrofoam;
Take these to the 3rd Ave Recycling Depot or the Landfill Recycling Depot! FREE

Beverage containers: Ready-to-drink beverage containers including; gable tops, juice boxes, cans, bag-in-a box and any container that you paid a deposit for
Take these to the Bottle Depot! Receive a refund on your deposits

Stewardship Products: small appliances, batteries, outdoor power equipment, light bulbs (all types), computer equipment and electronics, cell phones, smoke alarms, thermostats, paint,
Take these to 3rd Ave Recycling Depot! FREE

Mattresses: mattress and box springs ($20/unit)
Take these to Recycle Matters at Unit 350 - 2750 Harbour Road or the Landfill!

Tires: can be returned at the location they were purchased for free or $2/tire at the Sort'nGo Centre
Take these to a local business that sells tires!

Metal: All ferrous and non ferrous metal including large appliances with or without Freon.
Take these to the Landfill! FREE

Yard and Garden Waste: Leaves & grass FREE; hedge clippings, branches, and all other yard waste $5/Load ($120/tonne Commercial businesses)
Take these to the Landfill! $5/Load

Clean Woodwaste: unpainted and uncoated wood of all types including dimensional lumber, pallets, fencing, etc. Tipping fees apply for drop off.
Take these to the Landfill!

Gypsum (drywall): New drywall post-1990 must be kept separate from drywall pre-1990.
Take these to the Sort'nGo Centre!