Recycling in Whistler

Residential Recycling - Where does your recycling go?

Did you know: Plastic collected at Whistler Waste Depots is almost entirely recycled within British Columbia.

Whistler’s waste depots are managed by Recycle BC, which sends plastic accepted recycling to Merlin’s Plastics.  

Recycle BC tracks the end market destination of collected materials carefully through traceable and accountable documentation. In 2018, 87.3% of the material they collected was manage by recycling.

Learn more about where your accepted recycling goes at recyclebc.ca

What goes in the bins?

Link to Recycle BC - What can I recycle?

Mixed containers (metal, plastic and paper packaging that contained liquids)

Remember: Empty and rinse, include caps and lids removed from containers, squeeze metal lids inside cans, take deposit beverage containers to Return-It depot for refund or place in donation bin. 

Not accepted:

• Straws, plastic and non-paper wraps
• Foiled-lined cardboard lids
• Foil bags, foil wrap with paper, stand-up pouches, liquid-absorbing pads, stretch wrap, blister packs, packaging labelled biodegradable, ceramic pots, lawn edging, tarps, plastic furniture, garden hoses, string and rope
• Pails larger than 25 litres

Cardboard 

Remember: Remove plastic, labels and adhesive tapes. Accepted at depots.

Not accepted:

• Boxes with wax coatings
• Cardboard with food leftovers, e.g. pizza boxes can be included in compost

Printed paper and packaging

Remember: Remove plastic wrap. Accepted at depots. Tip: Contact Canada Post to request that unwanted unaddressed mail not be delivered to your mailbox. 

Not accepted:

• Books
• Non-paper gift wrap
• Musical greeting cards with batteries
• Padded envelopes
• Boxes with wax coatings
• Foiled-lined bags
• Paper towel, napkins and tissues (can be included in compost)

Glass bottles and jars 

Remember: Empty and rinse containers, remove lids, take deposit beverage containers to Return-It depot for refund or place in adjacent donation bin. Accepted at DEPOTS ONLY.

Not accepted:

• Drinking glasses
• Dishes
• Cookware
• Window glass or mirrors
• Ceramic products
• Metal lids (recylce with mixed containers)

Plastic bags and film

Remember: Empty bags, remove non-plastic items, stuff into one bag and tie closed. Accepted at DEPOTS ONLY.

Not accepted:

• Crinkly cellophane wrap
• Stretch wrap
• Zipper-lock bags
• Potato chip or snack bags
• Plastic shipping envelopes
• Bags labelled biodegradable or compostable
• Multi-layer or laminated plastic packaging
• Plastic bubble wrap 

Styrofoam packaging (separate white and coloured)

Remember: Rinse; remove labels, tape, paper and cardboard from Styrofoam cushion packaging; separate white and coloured foam. Accepted at DEPOTS ONLY.

Not accepted:

• Liquid-absorbing pads or stretch wrap
• Packing chips, peanuts or noodles
• Blue or pink foam board insulation

Other flexible packaging  (stand-up zipper bags, crinkly wrappers and bags, woven and net plastic bags)

Find out what's included in this category of crinkly, non-stretchy plastic packaging, and what's not included.

Not accepted:

• Plastic squeeze tubes
• 6-pack rings
• Paper lined plastic
• Plastic strapping

Prevent contamination of recycling

When the materials are deposited in the wrong recycling bins, the recycled materials become contaminated (e.g. plastic lids are thrown into a bin of glass bottles). Contaminated materials can't be recycled and are then sent to landfill.

You can prevent contamination of Whistler’s recycling:

• Rinse all containers. 
• Remove and discard lids.
• Flatten recyclables.
• Keep recyclables loose (do not stack; do not bag).
• Sort recyclables correctly into the labelled bins.
• Bag only clean plastic film into one bag or bundle only clean plastic film together.
• Tie individual plastic film bags into a knot.
• Deposit only certified compostable containers and bags into the compostable organics bin.