The Recycling Council of BC has added a fantastic tool to their homepage which tells you exactly where and how to recycle just about every item. Check it out! http://www.rcbc.bc.ca
Metro Vancouver also has an excellent page to help you find places that will take everything from baby clothing to large appliances. http://www.metrovancouver.org/MetroVancouverRecycles/Pages/default.aspx
There are two full service recycling options in Metro Vancouver (that I know of).
Pacific Mobile Depot runs pickup locations in North Vancouver, Commercial Drive, Main Street, and Coquitlam on the 3rd Saturday of every month. They will take just about anything: hard and soft plastics, batteries, and styrofoam. See their website for a full list of accepted items. Fees apply.
WCS Recycling in North Vancouver rivals Pacific Mobile Depot in terms of materials accepted. Open for drop off Monday to Friday 9:00am – 3:00pm & Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm. Fees apply.
I continue to maintain this list because I am always finding new items that are not captured in any of the above.
CDs and DVDs
Free Geek Vancouver
1820 Pandora Street
Vancouver, BC
604-879-GEEK (4335)
OPEN – Tues. ~ Sat.
11:00am – 6:00pm
CLOSED – Sun. Mon.
http://freegeekvancouver.org/en/computer_recycling
STYROFOAM
*Regardless of whether or not it has recycling number
WCS Recycling Inc
1493 Dominion St,
North Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604-987-1493
www.wcsrecycling.com
Open for drop off Monday to Friday 9:00am – 3:00pm & Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm. Fees apply.
Pacific Mobile Depots
Monthly pickup in locations around Metro Vancouver on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 9am – 12pm. Can also arrange direct pickups from residence and business (for a fee).
www.pacificmobiledepots.com
Mansonville Plastics (Surrey)
604-534-8626
*must call first – free drop-off
Genesis Recycling
(604) 607-1117
26049 30A Avenue, Aldergrove
*approx. $3 per garbage bag
Gibsons Recycling Depot
1018 Venture way, Gibsons B.C
Styrofoam packaging chips:
Styrofoam packing chips/peanuts are taken for reuse at UPS store locations. Check out their website for locations: http://www.theupsstore.ca/locations
Food Packaging Styrofoam:
Polystyrene (PS) food containers can be difficult to recycle. PS is not easily recyclable because of its light weight and low scrap value. The properties that make it an excellent packaging material – its weight, low cost, durability and strength – make it hard to recycle. The cost of operating trucks usually makes it cost prohibitive to transport PS to a recycling plant. Food containers are generally contaminated so require cleaning before they can be processed for recycling, which also makes it economically infeasible.
PLASTIC CONTAINERS & PLASTIC FILM
Most blue bins only accept plastics #1, 2, 4 and 5. Plastics 3 & 6 and plastic film (e.g. plastic shopping bags, industrial wrap) can be recycled with the following companies.
Pacific Mobile Depots
Monthly pickup in locations around Metro Vancouver on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 9am – 12pm. Can also arrange direct pickups from residence and business (for a fee).
www.pacificmobiledepots.com
Varsek Trading Group Inc.
6260 Mara Crescent, Richmond
604.277.6255
Hours: M-F 7:00am-5:00pm
Varsek Trading is a broker for household and industrial quantities of plastics #1-7. Call first.
Westcoast Plastic Recycling
3-2480 Shell Road
Richmond
604.247.1664
Hours: M-F 8:00am-4:00pm
West Coast plastics #1-7 and plastic film. Please call with material details for drop off location. Also offers free pick-up service for commercial customers.
http://www.westcoastplasticrecycling.com/#/Plastic-Recycling/
WCS Recycling Inc
1493 Dominion St,
North Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604-987-1493
www.wcsrecycling.com
Open for drop off Monday to Friday 9:00am – 3:00pm & Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm. Fees apply.
Burnaby Recycling Complex
4800 Still Creek Avenue (west off of Douglas Road)
http://www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/cityhall/departments/engnrn/engnrn_snttnr/dpt.html
MILK CONTAINERS
Encorp now accepts milk containers at several of their depots. Click here for a list of locations.
Pacific Mobile Depots
Monthly pickup in locations around Metro Vancouver on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 9am – 12pm. Can also arrange direct pickups from residence and business (for a fee).
www.pacificmobiledepots.com
WCS Recycling Inc
1493 Dominion St,
North Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604-987-1493
www.wcsrecycling.com
Open for drop off Monday to Friday 9:00am – 3:00pm & Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm. Fees apply.
FOIL COMPOSITE BAGS
Pacific Mobile Depots
Monthly pickup in locations around Metro Vancouver on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 9am – 12pm. Can also arrange direct pickups from residence and business (for a fee).
www.pacificmobiledepots.com
WCS Recycling Inc
1493 Dominion St,
North Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604-987-1493
www.wcsrecycling.com
Open for drop off Monday to Friday 9:00am – 3:00pm & Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm. Fees apply.
SOFT STRETCHY PLASTICS
All Wastech Transfer Stations (www.wastech.ca) accept soft plastic for recycling. I have listed their locations here. Please note that the Vancouver Transfer Station is city-run and not a “Wastech” site. They do not accept soft plastics there:
Surrey Transfer Station
(604) 513-2409
9770 – 192nd Street, Surrey
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm / Sat & Sun 8am-6-pm
North Vancouver Transfer Station
(604) 929-4725
30 Riverside Drive
(3 blocks south of the Dollarton Highway, just east of the Ironworkers’ Memorial Bridge)
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-9pm / Sat & Sun 8am-6pm
Coquitlam Transfer Station
(604) 521-1715
1200 United Boulevard, Coquitlam
Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30am-5pm / Sat & Sun 8am-6pm
Pacific Mobile Depots
Monthly pickup in locations around Metro Vancouver on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 9am – 12pm. Can also arrange direct pickups from residence and business (for a fee).
www.pacificmobiledepots.com
WCS Recycling Inc
1493 Dominion St,
North Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604-987-1493
www.wcsrecycling.com
Open for drop off Monday to Friday 9:00am – 3:00pm & Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm. Fees apply.
OTHER METALS
The Vancouver Transfer Station has a recycling area for ferrous and non-ferrous metals, as well as a host of other materials such as appliances and household recyclables. Metals can be brought to their recycling area for free drop-off:
South Vancouver Transfer Station
(604) 326-4600
377 West Kent Avenue North
(2 blocks south of Marine Drive between Cambie & Main)
Hours: 7 days a week, 7am to 7pm
WAX PAPER
WCS Recycling Inc
1493 Dominion St,
North Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604-987-1493
www.wcsrecycling.com
Open for drop off Monday to Friday 9:00am – 3:00pm & Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm. Fees apply.
Wax paper can also be composted in your home compost. Rinse off oily food first. You have to be sure that it is waxed paper, not paper with a plastic coating. You can check this by trying to rip the paper and looking for a stretchy plastic coating. Wax paper tears easily – plastic coated paper does not. Paper cartons that used to be waxed, are now often coated with plastic. Waxed paper in the compost degrades at about the same rate as leaves.
EMPTY AEROSOL CANS
Apparently Encorp takes Aerosol cans. Thanks to Karen for this.
PARTICLE BOARD
Unlike wood, particle board is not recyclable as it contains a number of different materials, including glue. It is a garbage item and can be taken to the Vancouver South Transfer Station (above) as waste. They charge $65 per ton with a minimum charge of $6.
DRYWALL
Drywall (gypsum) is banned from the landfill and must be taken to a special depot for recycling:
New West Gypsum Recycling
(604) 520-6647
38 Vulcan Street, New Westminster
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-7pm / Sat & Sun 8am-5pm
Ecowaste Industries
(604) 276-9511
15111 Williams Road, Richmond
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm / Sat & Sun 8am-6pm
South Vancouver Transfer Station
Accepts up to 1/2 sheet clean drywall per visit
(604) 326-4600
377 West Kent Avenue North
(2 blocks south of Marine Drive between Cambie & Main)
Hours: 7 days a week, 7am to 7pm
ASPHALT SHINGLES
I received the following email regarding asphalt shingles.
“My sister, my husband and myself have opened up a facility on Annacis Island in Delta where people can now recycle tear off asphalt shingles. We are the first facility in Western Canada. There are 2 other provinces that companies like ours that have the capability to recycle this valueable resource, Greensite Recycling in Winnipeg and Halifax CD Recycling in Halifax. To learn more/educate yourself on this new form of recycling See our article reprinted with permission from “Construction Business” Magazine. I say ‘at Gemaco we are excited to help build a greener cleaner future.’”
BATTERIES
Alkaline:
Unfortunately, there is no provincial program in place for the recycling of alkaline batteries. They are not considered a hazardous waste due to the fact that mercury has been eliminated from their manufacturing. Accordingly, they can be disposed of as a regular garbage item. However, acid from alkaline batteries can create issues in landfills, as it can erode protective liners, creating opportunities for leakage. Accordingly, if you decide to dispose of them, please only place a handful of batteries out with each garbage container or bag.
Best Buy, Future Shop and Ikea accept alkaline batteries for recycling at their retail stores. No purchase is necessary. Please note that Best Buy and Future Shop also accept rechargeable batteries.
There are some private companies in Vancouver accepting alkaline batteries for recycling.
Society Promoting Environmental Conservation
2150 Maple Street
Vancouver, BC
(604)736-7732
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm
*Free to drop-off batteries.
Vancouver Battery
2192 W. Broadway (Yew & W. Broadway)
Vancouver, BC
(604) 737-8463
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6:30pm / Sat 10am-2pm
*small fee for alkaline batteries
Monthly pickup in locations around Metro Vancouver on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 9am – 12pm. Can also arrange direct pickups from residence and business (for a fee).
www.pacificmobiledepots.com
WCS Recycling Inc
1493 Dominion St,
North Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604-987-1493
www.wcsrecycling.com
Open for drop off Monday to Friday 9:00am – 3:00pm & Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm. Fees apply.
Burnaby Recycling Complex
4800 Still Creek Avenue (west off of Douglas Road)
http://www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/cityhall/departments/engnrn/engnrn_snttnr/dpt.html
Rechargeable Batteries:
Log onto www.rbrc.org for locations to drop off rechargeable batteries.
Mattress Recycling Environmental Solutions
http://www.mattressrecycling.ca/
(604) 973 0183
Call them directly for times and location. Open 7 days a week.
Accepts batteries for recycling.
CELL PHONES
There is an excellent program in place for recycling old cell phones. The program benefits local food banks. You can log onto their website to find the closest location to your house: www.think-food.com.
ELECTRONICS
There are a number of places in Vancouver that will take old electronics. Most of them want computer equipment but some may take old TVs and VCRs. I suggest calling ahead to double check what they will take.
A province-wide end-of-life electronics recycling program is available to BC consumers and businesses. You can drop off regulated products at designated collection sites free of charge, and be assured they will be recycled responsibly. The program essentially covers computers, computer peripherals and televisions. For more information on the program and to find the depot closest to you, log onto http://www.encorp.ca/electronics/locations.
Regional Recycling
(604) 689-4722
960 Evans Avenue, Vancouver
(2 block north of Terminal, opposite Home Depot)
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-6pm / Sun 9am-5pm
Salvation Army
(604) 874-4721
261 East 12th Avenue, Vancouver
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30-5:30 **call first
Vancouver Central Return-It Depot
(604) 434-0707
2639 Kingsway Avenue, Vancouver
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm/Sun 10am-5pm
Electronic Recycling Association
#38 East 69th Avenue, VancouverApparently they have closed this address. Call the number below for more information.
(604) 215-4483
Hours: 9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday
Drop offs are only accepted during business hours.
Pacific Mobile Depots
Monthly pickup in locations around Metro Vancouver on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 9am – 12pm. Can also arrange direct pickups from residence and business (for a fee).
www.pacificmobiledepots.com
To make it convenient for everyone to donate their laptops and computers, the following depots accept computers and electronics on behalf of the ERA:
- HBC – ZELLERS – Accepts computers and laptops for donation ONLY. Do not bring TVs or Appliances to these locations.
- Landsdowne Shopping Centre, 8311 Landsdowne Road, Richmond
- Scottsdale Mall, 7155 120th Street, Delta
- Metropolis Center, 4545 Central Boulevard, Burnaby
Free Geek Vancouver
also takes old computers free of charge and can recycle CDs and DVDs.
1820 Pandora Street
Vancouver, BC
V5L 1M5
604-879-GEEK (4335)
Computer Junkies
accepts old computer equipment. They may even give you cash for stuff in working condition.
201 – 1114 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC
604-GET-HELP (604-438-4357)
The Hackery
Recycles and repairs laptops, computers and flat screen monitors.
778-373-8295
304 Victoria Drive; Vancouver
Tues.–Sat. 11am–6pm
USED FURNITURE
Used furniture (in decent condition) can be donated to the HomeStart Foundation. http://www.homestart.ca. They may even come pick it up depending on your time and location.
Old mattresses can be taken to the very friendly guys at:
Mattress Recycling Environmental Solutions
http://www.mattressrecycling.ca/
(604) 973 0183
Call them directly for times and location. Open 7 days a week.
They can also recycle the different components of old couches (wood, foam and cotton) if you are willing to do the demolition yourself. I have done it and it’s actually quite satisfying.
Further questions can be directed to:
Recycling Council of British Columbia
Tel: (604) 683-6009
www.rcbc.ca
MEDICINES, VITAMINS & OINTMENTS
Most unused stuff that comes out of your medicine cabinet should never be thrown in the garbage or washed down the sink. Please take these items to your pharmacy. If in doubt, don’t throw it out.
PAINT AND OTHER CHEMICALS
Paints, solvents and other hazardous chemicals are covered under the Product Care program, a province-wide recycling program for household hazardous wastes including household paint, flammable liquids and aerosols, domestic pesticides, and gasoline. Because the program is in place, these items are banned from the landfill. The Vancouver location for disposing of paint and flammable liquids is:
East Van Bottle Depot
2605 Kaslo Street, Vancouver
604.255.4243
Hours: M-Su 9:00am-6:00pm
All products must be in the original container (except for solvents such as paint thinner), with the original label and sealed. Maximum volume per container of 5 gallons for paint and 10 L for solvents. Solvents must be contained within metal containers (empty paint cans), well sealed and labelled.
Burnaby Recycling Complex
4800 Still Creek Avenue (west off of Douglas Road)
http://www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/cityhall/departments/engnrn/engnrn_snttnr/dpt.html
ORGANICS
WCS Recycling Inc
1493 Dominion St,
North Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604-987-1493
www.wcsrecycling.com
Open for drop off Monday to Friday 9:00am – 3:00pm & Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm. Fees apply.
Good page… but nothing on where to recycle mercury. I have an old thermostat with a mercury switch in it, and I’m having trouble finding a place to accept the switch for recycling the Hg.
I would suggest emailing the Recycling Council of BC – they will definitely know.
canadian tire, home depot. i replaced and carefully took the mercury wrapped in a soft cloth to home depot
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Sweet, this is a great list, now I can get rid of CDs without just tossing them.
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ash!!!!
how the hell r ya?! it sure has been a long time, hope all is well with you. i was just lookin for the transfer stations hours of operation and i saw your name and i thought could it be?? and sure enough. wierd huh?? anyways drop me a line when u can and we’ll get together.
trevor
This is awesome!! thank you so much
The address for Paint and other chemicals should be 2605 Kaslo (not 2305). It’s just South of Broadway not North of it.
Fixed. Thanks.
Another one that accepts computers and monitors
http://computerjunkies.ca/
Waxed paper is compostable in your home compost. Rinse off oily food first.
You have to be sure that it is waxed paper, not paper with a plastic coating. Paper cartons that used to be waxed, are now often coated with plastic.
Waxed paper in the compost degrades at about the same rate as leaves.
Do you know where I can drop off printer cartridges for the THink Food program in Vancouver. Their site only has a phone number (no locations) which is diverted to an answering machine. I’m waiting to hear back from them, but an online list would be helpful. There must be many places in Vancouver that are part of this program.
What about the following materials:
- polyethylene plastic
- plastic tarp’s
- toilets
Thanks for the info. This site is a great resource
I have a paint can that is leaking oil from the bottom. I have put it in a couple of bags. I am not sure if any of the recycling paint places will take it. Any ideas?
Thanks for your web site.
laura
I think this is a great resource and should be implemented throughout many regions. This would help increase recycling efforts all across the board.
Great information, thanks. I see that aerosol cans are a problem, they can easily be drained, punctured and rinsed….
Does anyone know where I can recycle empty propane canisters?
Or a portable gas barbecue unit (small, cast metal)
Propane canisters can be taken to the same depots that you take old paint. Search the Recycling Council’s home page for locations. http://rcbc.bc.ca/
I called a Return It (Encorp Pacific Canada) location and they said that they recycle empty aerosol cans. http://www.encorp.ca/cfm/index.cfm?
Is there a place I could recycle chipped dishes? Can I put them out with my regular recycling?
Do you know where I can dispose of 16 old vinyl records?
-Karen.
Hi,
I have a location in north vancouver that people can drop off all sorts of recyclable items.
I run the depot as “recycling beyond the blue box”. I can accept styrofoam, plastics #1 thru #7, rigid plastics with no numbers at all, all plastic bags and film, foil lined bags, even used household batteries.
The depot is open for drop off every saturday, and is a very people friendly place.
Please consider adding it to your website!
Kind Regards,
Nick Kiss
Drop off depot for all recycling, including:
-STYROFOAM
-PLASTIC BAGS
-PLASTIC WRAPPING
-RIGID PLASTICS WITH NO NUMBERS ON THEM
-FOIL LINED BAGS
-HOUSEHOLD BATTERIES
-ORGANICS
-ALL OTHER RECYCLABLES
OPEN FOR DROP OFF SATURDAYS 9:00 AM TO 12:00 PM
WCS RECYCLING, INC.
1493 DOMINION STREET,
NORTH VANCOUVER, BC
TEL: 604-987-1493
http://WWW.WCS RECYCLING.COM
WCS… THANK GOD. I just missed this Saturday’s PMD at Britannia, it’s great to know I don’t have to wait a month. I can just bus over to N.VAN! Thanks, Ashley.
Does anyone know where I could go to find recycled materials for art making? I’d like to ‘dumpster dive’ in one place if that’s possible.
Cartons, paper, plastic, metal, wood, small pieces of things – for sculpture.
Hello Everyone,
I just called the east van bottle depot, located at 2605 Kaslo Street, to hear how many paint cans I can drop off. They said unlimited. Informing everyone, as above states maximum 1o can/visit. Happy recycling.
Richard
The Burnaby Recycling depot on Still Creek Ave. accepts batteries (household and car), empty paint and aerosol cans, soft and hard plastics, and most metals, as well as the usual mixed paper, newsprint, glass and cardboard.
Amazing, thank you so much. I work somewhere where I get asked this question quite often and you have provided me with the most comprehensive list I could hope for. Cheers.
You can take alkaline batteries to London drugs for recycling.
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Some 600 no longer required CDs and DVDs for recycling.
Not a car driver so where can I take these, it is a heavy load!
Live in In New Westminster. Like it a bit of a secure recycling place or do Cds have to be in pieces? Don’t want the CDs to be getting back in the main stream, just crushed. Phew. Thanks for any suggestions, again don’t have a car to take them anywhere.
Awesome work, thanks for the listing! Please update our number to 604 973 0183, thanks. We are open 7 days a week.
-The Mattressrecycling.ca Team
ps. We also accept old batteries for recycling.
What about empty paint cans? Can they go in the garbage?
No. Please do not put even empty paint cans in the garbage. There is information above about how to deal with paint.
Hi,
Where can I recycle a butane battery cell in Vancouver?
thanks
Lisa
whole foods also takes alkaline batteries….
Does anyone know where one can recycle the bendy plastic-covered wire that is used to hold bunches of greens together? Also, sometimes they use a rubber band with what looks like a plastic label attached to it – it this at all recyclable? Thank you.
I save mine and never have to buy twist-ties.
Does anyone know where I can get rid of my queen size bed frame (head/foot board) with dresser and table lamp? Hopefully one that can pick it up. This is in very good condition ( 5 yr old). I live in Vancouver. Thanks for the help. Homestart.ca does not accept bed items ufotunately.
Rameses
craigslist
great infomation
still want to know where to dispose of playtex gloves & nitrile latex gloves
thanks
We recycle plastics 1-7 including film. not just #6 plastics. We just launched a styrofoam recycling program as well. for more information view our website @ styrofoam recycling
If anyone knows where can i recycle 5gallon water bottles and their
caps…would wonder if get paid some coins as i got boxes of caps..
Hi there BBB accredited and the 2011 Consumer Choice Award Winners for “Best Recycling Centers and Services” in the Metro Vancouver area. Westcoast Plastic Recycling Recycles Plastics 1-7 and offers for the most part a FREE pick-up service for commercial customers.
Now offering a Styrofoam Recycling
3-2480 Shell Rd,
Richmond, BC
V6X 2P1
Plastic Recycling