In general, a wide variety of commonly used paper, plastic, and metal items in the home can be recycled, either in the curbside recycling bins, or at some Regional District multi-material recycling bins.
However, some specific items are not welcome, typically because they can cause issues with the separation and processing machines used, or that they contain materials that contaminate and diminish the value of the recycled materials. The most common materials that should not be put in recycling are Styrofoam, plastic bags and overwrap, and glass. Please bring these items to a Recycle BC depot and place in appropriate bins.
Options for recycling of paper and packaging have changed.
The Recycle BC program is now available at the Mackenzie Select Waste Landfill and Regional Transfer Station, Quinn Street Regional Recycling Depot, Vanway Transfer Station, McBride Regional Transfer Station, and Valemount Regional Transfer Station.
*Please note the Mackenzie Select Waste Landfill is temporarily closed on Saturdays and Sundays until further notice.
Paper and packaging recycling is also still accepted at the P.G. Recycling and Return-It Centre off Petersen Road and the Hart Return-It Centre on the Hart Highway as well as through curbside collection in Prince George.
Metal, compost, appliances, batteries, and oil will still be accepted at existing locations.
More information about these changes to Regional District transfer stations can be found at rdffg.ca.
You can recycle in your household bin:
- Paper Cups and Lids
- Milk, and Plant-Based beverage cartons (these are now part of the deposit system, please visit www.return-it.ca for more information)
- Aluminum Foil and Food Containers
- Plastic Containers and Lids with #1-7 Recycling Symbols
- Tin Cans and Lids
- Paper, Magazines, Spiral Wound Paper Cans
- Cardboard and Boxboard
- Aerosol Cans (except spray paint)
- Plastic-coated Frozen Food Packaging (like ice cream cartons)
- Microwaveable paper containers
Take to Recycle BC depot for recycling
- Styrofoam (including foam egg cartons)
- Glass
- Plastic bags and overwrap
- Flexible plastic packaging
Available at RDFFG transfer stations
- Compost
- Scrap metal
- Appliances
- Batteries
- Oil
Find out what to recycle at Recycle BC.
Recycle BC Depot locations
Prince George
Valemount
Mackenzie
McBride
How to prepare items for recycling
Paper & Cardboard Recycling
- remove all liners
- flatten all boxes
- remove plastic from cardboard flats.
Container Recycling
Take deposit containers to Return-It Depot for refund.
Deposit Containers
- Please recycle bottles with their caps left on.
Non-Deposit Containers
- Please empty and rinse containers.
- Remove metal lids from glass jars and put them in the bin loose. Also remove any caps, spray pumps, and pull up tops from plastic bottles.