Blue Box Recycling
This page answers these questions:
- What I can put in my blue box and bags?
- How do I get a new blue box, blue bag or yellow bag?
- What if I own or operate a business?
- What about Christmas trees? Telephone books? Styrofoam?
What to put in the Blue Box and Bags
Recyclable materials from blue boxes, blue bags and yellow bags are collected from single-family homes and some townhome developments in Richmond on the same day as garbage is collected.
For collection day information, see the Recycling and Garbage Collection Schedule.
Please note that recyclable materials are banned from going into the garbage.
Beverage containers should be returned for deposit to retail stores or special collection depots. For details, see beverage container deposit refund system.
The following materials are accepted for recycling pick-up.
| Newsprint in Blue Bag | ||
Recycle  All newsprint Non-glossy inserts |
|
Do Not Include  Other types of paper Plastic or paper bags String |
|
Paper Products in Yellow Bag | ||
Recycle Catalogues Cereal & paper boxes Glossy paper Junk mail Office papers Magazines Paper egg cartons Pizza boxes Telephone books Any 100% paper fibre |
|
Do Not Include Bathroom tissue Carbon paper Drinking boxes Food waste Metallic gift wrap Milk cartons Paper clips Paper towels Plastic bags Plastic tabs Tissue paper wax paper |
| Cardboard (cannot be placed in the garbage) Flatten & tie to 3' x 2' x 4" |
|
Do Not Include Plastic or wax coated cardboard Unflattened boxes |
| Containers in Blue Box | ||
Recycle Aluminum food & beverage cans, foil & plates Glass food & beverage containers Milk jugs Pop bottles Shampoo & detergent bottles Tin cans Water bottles Other plastic bottles & containers with code 1, 2, 4 or 5 |
|
Do Not Include Aerosol cans Bottles with code 3, 6, 7 or other plastics Ceramics (plates, cups) Drinking/window glass Flower pots Light bulb/fluorescent tube Motor oil containers |
Place yellow and blue bags beside or on top of blue box.
Set out before 7:30 a.m. on collection day.
To report a missed collection, call 604-276-4010 or email Garbage and Recycling.
How to Get a New Blue Box, Blue Bag or Yellow BagThere is no charge for new or replacement blue boxes, blue bags, or yellow bags. Boxes and bags are available for pick-up at the following locations:
You can also Order Blue Boxes and Bags Online.City Recycling Depot
5555 Lynas Lane
Wednesday to Sunday (closed on Statutory Holidays )
9:00 am to 6:15 pm
City Hall
6911 No. 3 Road
Monday to Friday (closed on Statutory Holidays)
8:15 am to 5:00 pm
Recycling for Business Premises
The City of Richmond does not provide recycling pick-up for business premises.
If you don't already recycle, ask your garbage hauler or property manager about recycling services. For a free business recycling guide, phone the Metro Vancouver at 604-432-6200.
Christmas Trees, Telephone Books, & Styrofoam
Christmas Trees
Christmas trees are collected at curb side from single-family homes in early January. Please cut and bundle the tree into the 3 ft x 2 ft size limit. All tinsel, ornaments and decorations must be removed. Christmas trees are also accepted at the Recycling Depot.
The City of Richmond normally sponsors a Christmas tree recycling event early in January. Watch the News section of this web site or the "City Page" in the community newspaper for details.
Telephone books can be recycled in the yellow bag mark marked "paper products" (or the similarly labelled cart for multi-family residents.) They can also be dropped off at the City Recycling Depot.
Styrofoam
The City of Richmond does not pick up styrofoam. However.
- Schools use styrofoam food trays for arts and crafts.
- Mansonville Plastics at 19402-56th Avenue in Surrey, 604-534-8626 accepts moulded styrofoam (appliance packaging) without waxy or greasy finish.
- London Drugs customers can return the moulded packing Styrofoam from their appliances, computer and accessories products to any London Drugs store with proof of purchase.
- The UPS Store at 9040 Blundell Road Unit 185, 604-231-9643 and 8120 No. 2 Road Unit 186, 604-304-0077 accepts clean styrofoam chips.
- The Packaging Depot at 5524 Cambie Street in Vancouver, 604-325-9966 or 6360 Kingsway in Burnaby, 604-451-1206, accepts clean styrofoam chips.
Styrofoam collected by these organizations is not recycled; it is reused.
Promotional and Educational Resources
Blue Box Recycling Brochure
