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Residential/Home Recycling Guide
Waste Connections is proud to serve residential facilities and homeowners as their dedicated recycling partner throughout Canada. We care about a cleaner environment and are increasing our efforts to make recycling in your area easier and more convenient. Our offerings across our network include:
- Single or multiple-bin collection service
- Separated or combined recyclables collection programs
- Green waste recycling programs
- Cardboard, newspaper, plastic bottles, aluminum cans, glass container, and electronics recycling
To help our customers in Canada continue to recycle as much as possible, we’ve developed a comprehensive overview on what you can recycle and how recycling works.
What is Recycling & Why You Should Recycle
Recycling is when certain materials are collected, processed and made reusable. While not all materials can be recycled, most can. Trash & waste generate toxic chemicals and greenhouse gasses from rubbish in landfill sites. Recycling helps the environment by reducing the overall amount of pollution caused by waste, landfills, etc.
How Does Recycling Work
Recycling first depends on people making the choice to do so. There is no mandatory law across Canada that actively enforces recycling for homeowners.
When recycling, it’s extremely important to clean every item so it’s spotless. This prevents other materials from becoming contaminated while being transported to recycling facilities. When blue and green recycle bins are full, they are then collected by Waste Connections at a curbside, multi-family dwelling, or depot.
Once materials are delivered to a recycling facility, or material recovery facility (MRF), they are sorted and organized by material types. Sorted materials are then inspected for final quality control clean-up before being baled (compressed) together and staged for sale to end markets.
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Start Your Commercial Waste Recycling Services With Waste Connections Today
Waste Connections is committed to responsible waste management. Start your commercial waste recycling service with us today. Call us or request a Commercial Recycling quote on our website.
What items you CAN recycle in Canada.
The primary recyclable items in Canada are glass, aluminum, paper, cardboard and some plastics. Each province has different regulations on what can be recycled. Below is a quick list of the provinces we serve and links to each region for information on recycling regulations.
What residential items CAN’T be recycled via curbside collection in Canada.
While some provinces accept the recycling of materials such as paint, tires and even oil, in general these materials are not safe to place in recycle bins due to contamination of other materials. For these types of materials, please reach out to the closest recycling facility and ask about their capabilities.
Items:
- Propane canisters
- Needles
- Flammable liquids
- Helium tanks
- Knives
- Butane canisters
- Bear spray
- Ammunition
- Flares
- Electronics
- Batteries for e-cigarettes
- Lighters and matches
- Household batteries
- Paint
Paper:
- Hardcover or paperback books (donate or sell)
- Ribbons or bows
- Musical greeting cards with batteries
- Rubber bands
Paper Packaging/Cardboard:
- Cardboard boxes with wax coating, such as empty boxes, made available for residents to transport their groceries home
- Paper bags with multiple layers that include a foil layer
- Paper bags with a plastic layer
- Paper towels, napkins (include with green waste, if applicable)
- Tissues
Cartons & Paper Cups:
- Straws
- Juice cartons and boxes can be returned to depot for deposit refund or included in container recycling
Plastic Containers:
- Containers for motor oil, vehicle lubricant or antifreeze products (Check Recyclepedia)
- Packaging labelled biodegradable or compostable
- Liquid-absorbing pads, e.g., in trays of meat, poultry, fish, etc.
- Plastic wrap
- Plastic blister packs e.g. plastic/foil protective packaging for chewing gum and pills
- Ceramic plant pots
- Lawn edging, tarps, plastic furniture or toys
- Garden hoses
- Plastic string or rope
- Plastic paint cans (Check Recyclepedia)
- Pails larger than 25L
- Pails for lubricants and oils (Check Recyclepedia)
- Microwavable bowls with metal rims
- Plastic or foil lids from coffee and tea pods
- Beverage bottles or jugs for flavoured tea, juice, or other beverages can be returned to depot for deposit refund or included in container recycling
Aluminum Containers:
- Spray paint cans (Check Recyclepedia)
- Aerosol cans with any contents remaining
- Propane cylinders (Check Recyclepedia)
- Foil-lined cardboard take-out containers and lids
Steel Containers:
- Steel paint cans
- Coat hangers (return to dry cleaners)
- Pots, pans and baking trays
- Propane cylinders
- Metal toys
- Appliances
- Metal hardware or other scrap metal
- Wiring or metal cords, extension cords
- Steel beverage cans can be returned for deposit refund or included in container recycling
Glass Bottles & Jars:
- Drinking glasses or dishes, cookware
- Whole or broken window glass or mirrors
- Ceramic products
- Light bulbs and light fixtures
Plastic Bags/Overwrap:
- Kitchen stretch wrap
- Packaging labelled biodegradable or compostable
- Lumber or construction wrap
- Garbage bags (all colours)
Foam Packaging:
- Liquid-absorbing pads used in trays for meat, poultry, fish, etc.
- Labels, tape, paper and cardboard on foam packaging
- Foam peanuts, packing chips, or noodles
- Blue or pink foam board insulation
- Napkins, cutlery
- Squishy or flexible foam
- Furniture cushions
Misc. Flexible Plastic Packaging:
- Plastic squeeze tubes
- Plastic-lined paper
- Cellophane wrap
- Plastic strapping
- 6-pack ring
- Biodegradable plastic
- PVC/vinyl
- Squishy foam
- Plastic blister packs e.g. plastic/foil protective packaging for chewing gum and pills
What happens to my recycling?
When recyclable materials are organized, they are shipped off to different markets for processing into new raw materials.
Many of the most common items/materials - plastic bottles and papers - are recycled back to their original state/product. This effectively eliminates the ‘life cycle’ of these products, as they can continue to be recycled and reused. Other more complex materials that are recycled are used in creating totally new products, ranging from furniture to clothes.
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