Recycling FAQ

Q: What happens to recyclables?

Blue Bag materials (newspaper, cardboard, milk jugs, tin, aluminum and mixed paper) are compacted in Castlegar and shipped to Kelowna for processing.
Wood waste is chipped and used for landfill daily and intermediate cover material .
Glass is crushed and used as road cover at the various waste handling facilities throughout the RDCK.
Scrap metal is collected for recycling by a local contractor.

For more information contact the Recycling Council of BC Recycling Hotline: 1-800-667-4321

Q: What is contamination?

Contamination is when unacceptable material is placed in a recycling container or bin. Any recyclables that are comingled with garbage, pet waste, organics, or disposable diapers are contaminated and not recycled. Unwashed recyclables are also considered to be contaminated. Contamination increases the program cost and ultimately the cost to the taxpayer.

Q: Do I need to wash and squash the plastic and metal containers?

Yes! Help reduce contamination by washing containers. This will help reduce odor, flies and rodents. Squashing the containers will free up more space in the recycling bin.

Q: Do I need to remove the label from metal cans?

Yes. Paper labels on metal cans are relatively easy to remove and can be recycled as mixed paper. If paper is included in the metal stream, it is considered a contaminant. The problem is that during the recycling process, the metal is melted down and if paper is included in the process it can cause flash fires in the furnace, endangering the workers and producing impurities in the end product. These impurities cause the metal to be downgraded.

Q: Do I need to remove the label from glass bottles?

No. You do not need to remove the label from glass bottles. The glass is crushed and used as road construction material at the various RDCK waste handling facilities.

Q: Do I need to remove the windows from my envelopes in order to recycle them?

No. Most window envelopes are made out of water soluble paper fibre instead of the plastic that was once used. Recycle these as mixed paper.

Q: As a business, how can I participate in recycling programs?

Commercial loads of cardboard are picked up, for a fee, by private commercial haulers. Commercial buisnesses can utilize RDCK recycling depots.

Q: Can I recycle Styrofoam (polystyrene)?

No. Polystyrene used for take-out foods, etc., is not accepted in RDCK recycling programs at this time.

Q: Which plastics can I recycle?

Food Grade Plastics #1-#7 can be recycled in all the sub-regions.
Styrofoam is not accepted in any of the RDCK recycling programs

Q: How can I recycle my Christmas tree?

Christmas trees are accepted at any RDCK landfill or transfer station as yard and garden waste for a small fee. The tree will be chipped and used for composting. Many communities have a local service club pick that will up the trees for a nominal fee and will advertise this service around Christmas time.

Q: Can I recycle my refrigerator, freezer or stove?

Yes. These items are considered as scrap metal and are accepted at any RDCK landfill or transfer station for a fee. Prior to recycling, any CFCs are to be removed and recycled. This is in accordance with the Ozone Depleting Substance Regulation.

Q: Can I recycle my car battery?

Yes. Car batteries are accepted at any RDCK landfill or transfer station at no charge.

Q: Can I recycle fluorescent tubes and bulbs?

Fluorescent tubes and bulbs are not accepted at RDCK facilities.
The BC Fluorescent Light Recycling Program began July 1, 2010. You can now take burnt out compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and fluorescent tubes (residential use only) to a collection depot near you.

In Nelson:
Hipperson Home Hardware
395 Baker Street, Nelson, V1L 4H6

Nelson Home Hardware Building Centre
101 McDonald Drive, Nelson, V1L 6B9

For more information and a list of participating recyclers contact the Recycling Council of BC Recycling Hotline: 1-800-667-4321 or visit
Light Recycle BC

Q: Can I recycle my household batteries?

No, household batteries are not accepted at RDCK facilities.
To find a Call2Recycle collection depot: .http://www.call2recycle.ca/locator/

For more information about battery recycling and locations in BC contact the Recycling Council of BC Recycling Hotline: 1-800-667-4321

Q: Where can I recycle oil filters or used motor oil?

Used oil and used oil filters are not accepted for recycling at RDCK facilities.
For more information about recycling used oil and used oil filters contact the Recycling Council of BC Recycling Hotline: 1-800-667-4321

Q: Where can I dispose of my old tires?

Tires are accepted at RDCK facilities for recycling for a fee.
In order to fund the safe handling and disposal of the tires the Regional District implemented a $3.00 user fee. This user fee is payable only if you choose to dispose of your old tires at an RDCK waste handling facility. To avoid paying the $3.00 levy to the Regional District, return your used tires to an Authorized Tire Dealer.

When you purchase new tires a fee ranging from $5 - $35 depending on the tire, is levied. All fees collected go exclusively towards the operation of the scrap tire recycling program and are used primarily to pay for transporting and recycling BC's scrap tires. The Regional District does not receive any of these levies although they are responsible for disposing of the used tires.
Old tires can be taken back to almost any Authorized Tire Dealer AT NO CHARGE.

For more information about tire recycling in BC contact the Recycling Council of BC Recycling Hotline: 1-800-667-4321.