Campbell River Recycling

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and schedule changes.

Notice about curbside collection (Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022):

Due to the heavy snow and road conditions, Emterra has cancelled Thursday's curbside collection until next week. Next week, residents can put out 2 cans of garbage.

Recycling is unlimited. Please remember boxes cannot have a wax coating. Empty boxes. Flatten large corrugated boxes and tie in bundles no larger than 8” thick (20 cm) X 30” wide (78 cm) X 30” tall (78 cm); staples and tape accepted; place beside boxes/inside cart.

Emterra apologizes for the inconvenience and thanks you for your patience.

Notice about glass and foam collection (updated Dec. 27, 2021): Recycle BC has noted collection of foam packaging from depots in BC can resume.

Multi-family Recycling – All Buildings Required by Dec 31, 2016

All multi-family buildings in Campbell River will be required to have recycling in place by December 31, 2016 and there are incentives in place for buildings starting new recycling programs.

For more information on the program requirements click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Recycling FAQs

Are multi-family buildings required to have recycling?

All multi-family buildings in Campbell River will be required to have recycling in place by December 31, 2016 and there are incentives in place for buildings starting new recycling programs.

For more information on the program requirements click here.
When is my recycling collected?
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as your regular garbage collection. Please see the collection map to determine your collection day, or contact garbage contractor Emterra at 250-286-0211.
- Collection Routes
Campbell River's garbage, recycling and yard waste collection schedule is changing after the May long weekend. Find out more.
What materials are accepted in the blue recycling bins?

Please do not use plastic bags for extra recycling.

Find out, "What goes where", with the CR Recycles app, which can be downloaded at the Apple Store or Google Play Store or go here: What goes where?

Paper products such as newspapers, flyers, pizza boxes, magazines, flattened boxboard and cardboard, paper egg cartons, and telephone books are accepted. Hard plastic materials such as containers are also collected (note: Polystyrene (eg. Styrofoam) is only collected at MMBC depots). Additionally, metal items such as cans, aluminum foil, Tetra-Pak drink boxes, hot and cold beverage cups, milk cartons, non-toxic aerosol cans, plastic garden plant pots and seedling trays are accepted.
What about statutory holidays?
Recycling is not collected on statutory holiday.

STARTING THE WEEK OF MAY 24TH, REGULAR CURBSIDE GARBAGE, RECYCLING AND YARD WASTE PICK-UP WILL SHIFT ONE DAY.
- If your regular pick up is Monday (24), it will move to Tuesday(25)
- If your regular pick up is Tuesday(25), it will move to Wednesday(26)
- If your regular pick up is Wednesday(26), it will move the Thursday(27)
- If your regular pick up is Thursday(27), it will move to Friday(28)
- If your regular pick up is Friday(28), it will move to Monday (31)
This will change again following Canada Day (Thursday July1st) where the pick up shifts another day forward in the week.

This change will happen every time a statutory holiday falls on a week day (Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs, Fri).

If the Holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday – there is NO change (for example – Christmas falls on a Saturday in 2021 and so does New Years Day – this does not change the collection schedule).
What time does my blue box have to be out?

Please have your blue box out by 7:30 a.m.
Will paper blow away on a windy day?

Place paper and cardboard on the bottom of the box with heavier items on top or on windy days, a rock or brick may be placed on top of loose papers. Shredded paper must be contained (i.e. in a cereal box). You may not use a plastic bag to hold shredded paper.
Won’t papers and cardboard get soggy when it rains?

Yes, however wet cardboard and papers are still recyclable.
I have too much material to fit into one box!

An unlimited amount of recycling can be left at the curb (use of other containers are permitted provided City-supplied blue box is used at curbside and they are not larger in volume than 68 litres – City’s standard size). Additional blue boxes may be purchased at City Hall. Please do not use plastic bags for extra recycling.

Visit www.cswm.ca for multi-bin locations.

Find out, "What goes where", with the CR Recycles app, which can be downloaded at the Apple Store or Google Play Store or go here: What goes where?
What materials are accepted at the multi-bins sites?

Recycling collection is no longer available at Strathcona Gardens and the Sportsplex locations.

Find out more information at www.cswm.ca or call: 250-334-6016

For more info visit www.cswm.ca/depots.
What can I recycle at Multi-Material BC (MMBC) approved depots?
Campbell River MMBC depots accept polystyrene, glass, paper, cardboard, aluminum, plastic bags and overwrap.
- Comox Strathcona Waste Management Centre— 6700 Argonaut Road
- Island Return-It Centre—1580 Willow Street
What about Glass?

Deposit glass containers should be delivered to depots for deposit refund. Non-deposit containers will be accepted for recycling by MMBC at participating depots. Glass will not be collected at the curbside as it can easily break during collection, which contaminates other recyclables and is a safety hazard.

Update November 23, 2021: Recycle BC has temporarily suspended collection of glass because of transportation challenges and processing limitations due to the location of recycling facilities. They are encouraging people to keep their glass materials for the time being, until these services are available again.
Why is my home not included in the recycling collection program?
This program is for single-family, duplex homes and optional for triplexes and fourplexes. These homes pay an annual collection service fee. The following properties do NOT receive recycling collection from the City:
- Multi-family or Strata Properties (apartments, townhouses, condos or anything larger than a fourplex);
- trailer parks
Where can I find out more information about recycling options?

Refer to your Yellow Pages EcoGuide or contact the Recycling Council of BC at 1-800-667-4321 or visit their website: Recycling Council of British Columbia
Who do I contact for services inquires or to report a missed pickup?

Please contact Emterra at 250-286-0211
What about foam?

Update November 23, 2021: Recycle BC has temporarily suspended collection of foam packaging because of transportation challenges and processing limitations due to the location of recycling facilities. They are encouraging people to keep their foam materials for the time being, until these services are available again.

Due to stricter end-market guidelines, paper bags lined with plastic (e.g. dog food bags, tortilla chip bags, etc.) are no longer accepted in blue bins.

Recycle BC, the organization established by industry to improve recycling, provides an incentive to Campbell River to continue providing the existing blue box curbside collection program through current contractor Emterra Environmental. Recycling collection schedules will remain the same, with collection on a weekly basis.

Did you know that the average household in Campbell River discards 340 kg of garbage each year, but as much as 90% of it can be diverted from the landfill? Items such as milk cartons, aerosol cans, spiral wound containers for frozen juice, cookies and other items, hot and cold drink cups and plastic plant pots are able to be recycled.

List of items accepted in the newly expanded recycling program:

DEPOTS

A wide range of materials are accepted at the depots.
Visit the Comox Strathcona Waste Management website to find a complete list and a location near you.

Recycling

Multi-family Recycling – All Buildings Required by Dec 31, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

Recycling FAQs

STARTING THE WEEK OF MAY 24TH, REGULAR CURBSIDE GARBAGE, RECYCLING AND YARD WASTE PICK-UP WILL SHIFT ONE DAY.

DEPOTS

Links