Recycling

The B.C. government brought in new regulations at the start of 2023 that expanded the list of items that can be recycled through blue bin and depot programs. Some are calling for more to be done in quelling the amount of single-use items making it to market. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Groups want plastic waste reduced at the source as B.C. expands recycling list

Environment minister says more single-use bans being looked at as more plastic regulations coming

 

In 2023 Central Okanagan Regional District is stepping up enforcement of recycling contamination. (Photo/RDCO)

Contaminated recycling costing Central Okanagan communities cash

Recycling carts average 8 per cent contamination, well above allowable levels of three per cent

 

The Scotch Creek Transfer Station includes one of nine rural recycling depots within the Columbia Shuswap Regional District that could be financially impacted by changes proposed by RecycleBC. (CSRD image)

Cost of operating 9 recycling depots may fall directly on Columbia-Shuswap taxpayers

Province reponds to concerns raised by regional district

  • Feb 20, 2023

 

Regional District Central Okanagan is offering a recycling education program aimed at those living in apartments, condos, and strata complexes. (Photo/Regional District)

Central Okanagan Regional District offers free recycling education for multi-family buildings

Regional district waste reduction ambassadors will also provide in-person workshops

Regional District Central Okanagan is offering a recycling education program aimed at those living in apartments, condos, and strata complexes. (Photo/Regional District)
Plastic bags and overwrap can now be combined with other flexible plastic packaging for deposit at recycling depots in the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. (CSRD photo)

Plastic sorting simplified at Columbia Shuswap Regional District recycle depots

RecycleBC recently expanded list of accepted items

  • Feb 10, 2023
Plastic bags and overwrap can now be combined with other flexible plastic packaging for deposit at recycling depots in the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. (CSRD photo)
Pilinka Wiseman uses her passion for reducing waste and saving the planet at the Scotch Creek Refuse Transfer Station’s Share Shack, officially called the Reuse Centre. (Pilinka Wiseman photo)

‘We don’t all need something new’: Shuswap woman passionate about reducing waste

Pilinka Wiseman is willing to give anything a second chance at Scotch Creek Share Shack

Pilinka Wiseman uses her passion for reducing waste and saving the planet at the Scotch Creek Refuse Transfer Station’s Share Shack, officially called the Reuse Centre. (Pilinka Wiseman photo)
Mattresses in a landfill. (Photo Submitted)

Fees on the rise for commercial tipping in Columbia-Shuswap

Recommendation to increase tipping fees for commercial recycling from $80 to $160 per tonne

Mattresses in a landfill. (Photo Submitted)
Paper gift bags are among the many new items added to the Columbia Shuswap Regional District’s recycling program effective Jan. 1. (File photo)

Columbia Shuswap Regional District adds recycling items

More items can now be recycled at local depots or in home recycling programs.

Paper gift bags are among the many new items added to the Columbia Shuswap Regional District’s recycling program effective Jan. 1. (File photo)
Plastic water bottles are pictured in a blue box recycle bin in North Vancouver, B.C., on May 7, 2019. British Columbia is increasing the types of items it accepts for recycling in its residential blue box system and at depots. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C.’s blue box recycling system to accept more items, primarily single-use plastics

Mattresses, EV batteries, syringes to be added over next 4 years: province

Plastic water bottles are pictured in a blue box recycle bin in North Vancouver, B.C., on May 7, 2019. British Columbia is increasing the types of items it accepts for recycling in its residential blue box system and at depots. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
(Black Press Media Creative)

Christmas tree recycling is a good alternative to landfills

Taking down the Christmas tree is only one task after the holiday…

(Black Press Media Creative)
Christmas lights account for much of the light bulb waste found in landfills, according to Product Care Recycling. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

One way to support the Earth this holiday season? Recycle old decorations

Product Care Recycling is urging British Columbians to take care of holiday waste responsibly

Christmas lights account for much of the light bulb waste found in landfills, according to Product Care Recycling. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Electronics specialist Jordan Adair finishes up fixing a lamp for Cathy MacArthur at the Repair Cafe held at the Mall at Piccadilly in Salmon Arm on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. Adair said he was surprised by how busy it was. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)

‘Over the moon’: Repairing not discarding delights Salmon Arm residents

First of six Repair Cafes met with enthusiasm, next one Sept. 24 at Makerspace

Electronics specialist Jordan Adair finishes up fixing a lamp for Cathy MacArthur at the Repair Cafe held at the Mall at Piccadilly in Salmon Arm on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. Adair said he was surprised by how busy it was. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)
In July, the City of Salmon Arm shared a Facebook post advising residents on how to dispose of broken glass and sharp objects. Glass is not accepted with recycling in the city’s curbside collection program. (City of Salmon Arm image)

Salmon Arm clarifies curbside collection dos and don’ts for residents

Proposed amendments to help city with enforcement

In July, the City of Salmon Arm shared a Facebook post advising residents on how to dispose of broken glass and sharp objects. Glass is not accepted with recycling in the city’s curbside collection program. (City of Salmon Arm image)
The Mall at Piccadilly and the Shuswap Makerspace are bringing a Repair Cafe series to Salmon Arm. (Repair Café International)

Repair Cafe series planned for Salmon Arm

A global movement, cafes focus on fixing items, not sending them to the landfill

The Mall at Piccadilly and the Shuswap Makerspace are bringing a Repair Cafe series to Salmon Arm. (Repair Café International)
Burnaby vet technician Jocelyn Marsh shows off part of her pill bottle return program. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)

B.C. veterinarian has plan to eliminate millions of pieces of plastic from Canadian clinics

Very simple changes can have a large impact if adopted broadly, Jocelyn Marsh says

Burnaby vet technician Jocelyn Marsh shows off part of her pill bottle return program. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)
A playground furnished with recycled rubber. (Photo/ Tire Stewardship BC).

13 B.C. projects set to build playgrounds, recreation areas with thousands of recycled tires

TSBC contributes over $270,000 for the grant recipients’ infrastructure upgrades

A playground furnished with recycled rubber. (Photo/ Tire Stewardship BC).
Recycled light bulbs and light fixtures in Salmon Arm now have a home – Bill’s Bottle Depot in Salmon Arm. (Pixabay image)

Recycled light bulbs in Salmon Arm find new permanent home

On Feb. 1, Bill’s Bottle Depot became a collection site for bulbs, light fixtures

Recycled light bulbs and light fixtures in Salmon Arm now have a home – Bill’s Bottle Depot in Salmon Arm. (Pixabay image)
Recycle BC is bringing in a deposit system for milk and milk-alternative containers. (Recycle BC art)

10-cent recycling deposit added for milk and plant-based beverage containers

Deposits can be redeemed by returning containers to Return-It collection centres

Recycle BC is bringing in a deposit system for milk and milk-alternative containers. (Recycle BC art)
In this Oct. 7, 2010, file photo, a Green Mountain Coffee single-serving brewing cup is seen in a Keurig machine in Montpelier, Vt. The Competition Bureau says Keurig Canada will pay a $3 million penalty in Canada for making false or misleading claims that its single-use K-cup pods can be recycled. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Toby Talbot, File

Keurig to pay $3 million fine for false, misleading claims on recycling of its K-CUPs

Keurig Canada has to change its packaging, publish notices about the changes

In this Oct. 7, 2010, file photo, a Green Mountain Coffee single-serving brewing cup is seen in a Keurig machine in Montpelier, Vt. The Competition Bureau says Keurig Canada will pay a $3 million penalty in Canada for making false or misleading claims that its single-use K-cup pods can be recycled. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Toby Talbot, File
While it's not out of the realm of possibility, Salmon Arm currently has no plan to add glass to its curbside recycling collection program such as what recently rolled out in the North Okanagan. (File photo)

Glass recycling pickup returns to Okanagan

But don’t get caught on Santa’s recycling naughty list

While it's not out of the realm of possibility, Salmon Arm currently has no plan to add glass to its curbside recycling collection program such as what recently rolled out in the North Okanagan. (File photo)
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