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About Blue Box and Blue Cart Recycling

Expanded Recycling Program

Let's Recycle Even More!
Thanks to a partnership with industry, Richmond is expanding recycling collection services for all residents.

The expanded programs change how residents sort their recycling plus expands the types of materials residents can recycle. This expanded program will help residents divert more materials from the garbage and contribute toward 70% waste diversion by 2015.

What's New?
Starting the week of May 19th, residents will be able to recycle many new items in the Blue Box and Blue Cart programs including:
  • Aerosol cans & caps (such as food items, air fresheners, shaving cream, deodorant & hairspray)
  • Microwavable bowls, cups & lids
  • Paper food containers & cartons (such as ice-cream, milk, liquid whipping cream)
  • Paper drink cups & lids
  • Plastic cold drink cups & lids
  • Plastic containers, trays & caps (such as bakery containers & deli trays)
  • Plastic and paper garden pots & trays
  • Spiral-wound paper cans & lids (such as frozen juice, potato chips, cookie dough, coffee, nuts, etc.)
Residents will be asked to place these new items in their Blue Box or Containers Recycling Cart. For a complete list of acceptable items, please download the Blue Box or Blue Cart brochure.

PDF Document Blue Box Brochure
PDF Document Blue Cart Brochure

What's Changing?
There are two small changes to how recycling will be sorted starting the week of May 19th.

1. Combine all paper and newspaper materials together 2. Separate glass jars and bottles from other containers
Put all paper, newspaper and flattened cardboard together in the new Mixed Paper Recycling Bag (Blue Box Program) or the Mixed Paper Recycling Cart (Blue Cart Program) Place glass jars and bottles in the new grey Glass Recycling Bin (Blue Box Program) or the Glass Recycling Cart (Blue Cart Program)
What Residents Will Receive?
Here's a list of items that will be delivered in early May:
Blue Box Program
  • A new grey Glass Recycling Bin labelled "Glass Jars & Bottles"
  • A new larger yellow bag labelled "Mixed Paper"
  • An information kit with details on the expanded program and how to recycle 
Blue Cart Program:
  • New Glass Recycling Cart(s) will be delivered to the centralized recycling area/room of the complex
  • New labels for the combined Mixed Paper Recycling Carts
  • New labels for added materials in the Containers Recycling Cart
  • An information kit with details on the expanded program and how to recycle 

Related Links and Resources
PDF Document Expanded Recycling Information