Recycling in Canada

This article outlines the position and trends of recycling in Canada. Since the 1980s, most mid to large municipalities in most provinces have recycling programs.

Additional recommended knowledge

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

Correct Test Weight Handling Guide: 12 Practical Tips

Daily Sensitivity Test

Collection processes

The curbside collection systems for recyclates employed vary across Canada:

• Blue box - Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Manitoba
• Green box - used in North York, Ontario
• Green bin - Toronto, York Region,Peel Region, Montreal, Halifax Regional Municipality
• Grey box - paper and paperboard - North York, Ontario
• Blue bag replaced Blue Box system in Edmonton, Alberta

Municipalities with recycling programs

Municipalities and/or provinces with recycling programs:

• Northumberland County, Ontario
• Durham Region
• York Region
• Toronto, Ontario
• Ottawa, Ontario
• Halifax Regional Municipality
• Ontario
• Montreal, Quebec
• Quebec
• British Columbia
• Nova Scotia
• Saskatchewan
• Alberta
• Manitoba

Canadian Container and System Provider

Busch Systems International Inc.

Materials collected

The different types of recyclable materials collected include:

• Newspapers
• Office paper and letter mail
• Envelopes
• Glass jars and bottles
• Metal cans - beverage and soup cans
• Books, magazines, telephone books
• Plastics - Type 1 and 2 PETE
• Compostable materials
• Toys and clothing - for re-sale or re-use
• Motor oil
• Tires - some re-treaded, some mixed with ashpalt for road resurfacing; re-used in playrgrounds; pylons used for construction and road work crews

• Beer bottles through deposit systems
• Liquor bottle through deposit systems
• Pop can and bottles through deposit systems
• Ink cartridge
• Cell phone batteries

See also

• Recycling in the United States
• Recycling in Ireland

External References

• [Edmonton leads way on recycling - two city comparison]