Recyclables Banned From Garbage
21 December 2007
In the new year, residents should think twice before throwing that pop can in the garbage. As of January 1, 2008, pop cans will be just one of a number of recyclable items banned from the garbage.
“The purpose of the ban is to encourage individuals to recycle a number of common household products for which recycling alternatives exist and safely dispose of household hazardous products,” explains Emy Lai, Sanitation and Recycling Assistant for the City of Richmond. “This ban applies to the entire Metro Vancouver region, including Richmond, and helps guide us to becoming a more sustainable community.”
As of January 1, 2008, the following materials are banned from landfills and other waste disposal facilities:
- NEW! blue box recyclables including glass, metal and plastic containers
- NEW! yard and garden trimmings
- NEW! all beverage containers except milk and milk products
- NEW! lead-acid (car) batteries
- NEW! medications/pharmaceuticals
- NEW! paint, solvents, flammable liquids, gasoline and pesticides
- NEW! vehicle tires for cars and small trucks
- NEW! motor oil, filters and empty containers
- NEW! personal computers and printers, televisions, and keyboards
- corrugated cardboard
- newsprint
- office paper
- gypsum drywall (gyproc)
Recycling the additional banned materials has the potential to reduce the waste going to the landfills by 150,000 tonnes per year.
Residents and businesses should recycle these items by dropping them off at the appropriate stewardship collection site and/or designated disposal facilities.
To find the stewardship collection site or designated disposal facility nearest you, call 604-276-4010 or visit our Recycling & Garbage Services Overview page. For further information on the disposal bans, contact Metro Vancouver www.metrovancouver.org.
