Glass and foam recycling collection temporarily suspended effective November 22


19 November 2021

Glass and Foam Collection - service alert

Recycle BC halts collection due to flood impacts

Recycle BC has advised it has temporarily suspended the collection of glass and foam recycling effective Monday, November 22, 2021 until further notice. This takes effect in the Metro Vancouver region, including the City of Richmond. The suspension is a result of flooding in other parts of BC and the BC State of Emergency. This means that starting Monday, until service through Recycle BC resumes:

  • the City will not be collecting glass recycling bins/carts from single family and multi-family residences.
  • the Richmond Recycling Depot will not be able to accept glass and foam recycling Residents are asked to hold onto these materials and not place them into other recycling receptacles until further notice.

In its notice to the City, Recycle BC advised:

  • the BC State of Emergency has caused multiple challenges for glass and foam recycling. The primary glass processing facility is under water, key transportation routes to reach alternate end market recycling processors are closed, and many of the trucks used for hauling materials are inaccessible. Those trucks that are available, are needed for priority movement of essential goods and medical supplies.
  • it was unable to provide an estimate on how long it will take to address these issues.

The City will provide updates to residents as they become available. There are no other impacts to garbage, Green Cart, general Blue Box recycling or other Recycling Depot services at this time.