The Regional District of Central Okanagan and its member municipalities (Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland and Lake Country) collect curbside recycling on behalf of Recycle BC. The RDCO also operates four recycling depots on behalf of Recycle BC.
Most packaging and paper products can be recycled through curbside collection. Some materials are only accepted at depots. For the full list of materials see Recycle BC’s What Can I Recycle page.
Recycle Coach
Check to see what is recyclable and where it goes:
Contamination
Contamination in curbside carts happens when unacceptable materials are included in recycling carts. It is a major obstacle in the recycling process.
Why is contamination a problem?
- Contamination results in financial penalties to municipalities from Recycle BC and could increase costs to taxpayers.
- Plastic bags do not separate from paper on the sort line and can wrap around sorting equipment causing shutdowns.
- Hazardous materials, glass and food scraps are a safety concern to workers on the sort line.
- Contamination can reduce the amount of items that get recycled and repurposed.
Know Before You Throw
Curbside collection carts
The RDCO and member municipalities provide curbside cart collection for recycling from single family dwellings every other week. Recyclable items should be loose in your cart - do not bag materials.
Briefly, curbside collection materials include: paper, cardboard, plastic containers from food/products, single-use items (e.g. coffee cups and lids), tin cans and foil wrap/products.
For the full list of materials see Recycle BC’s What Can I Recycle page.
Recycling depots
Some recyclables must be brought to a depot. Briefly, recycling depot materials include: styrofoam, flexible plastics and glass jars/bottles.
Video resources
- Is it recyclable?
- Plastics recycling
- Depot only items
- Wishcycling
- Houshold hazardous waste
- Frequently asked questions
FAQs
| About Recycle BC |
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Retailers, manufacturers and other organizations that supply packaging and paper to BC residents are responsible for collecting and recycling these materials once residents are finished with them. Recycle BC is a non-profit organization formed to represent these businesses to manage recycling across the province. Visit recyclebc.ca for more details. |
| What is Recycle BC's role in the Central Okanagan? |
| The City of Kelowna, City of West Kelowna, District of Lake Country, District of Peachland and the RDCO collect packaging and paper on behalf of Recycle BC through a private contractor (Environmental 360 Solutions). As a contractor to Recycle BC, local municipalities and the RDCO follow parameters set for curbside collection by Recycle BC and in turn, Recycle BC funds the collection of residential recyclables. Recycle BC uses a consistent material list for the province, meaning the same materials are accepted everywhere Recycle BC operates. |
| What changes are coming regarding Recycle BC in the Central Okanagan? |
| In June 2022, all Central Okanagan municipalities and the RDCO made the decision to request Recycle BC provide direct service to the Central Okanagan. By 2026, local municipalities and RDCO will no longer be a contractor to Recycle BC and Recycle BC will provide curbside recycling directly to residents in the Central Okanagan. |
| Why did local municipalities request Recycle BC provide direct recycling services to residents? |
| Having Recycle BC provide direct service reduces financial risk and penalties to municipalities, and ultimately taxpayers, due to excessive recycling contamination and increasing contract costs. With Recycle BC providing direct service, residents will better understand who is ultimately responsible for residential recycling. |
| Will direct service by Recycle BC impact my curbside collection? |
| You will still be able to recycle all the same material currently being accepted for curbside collection. It is not known at this time if there will be any changes to curbside collection. |
| Provincial take-back programs |
| For information on where to recycle small appliances, electronics, electronic toys, light bulbs and fixtures, tires, used oil and antifreeze, batteries, power tools, beverage containers, paint, flammables and pesticides and much more visit our provincial take-back program page. |
| Recycle Council of British Columbia (RCBC) |
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Founded in 1974, RCBC is Canada's longest serving recycling council. The organization works on recycling initiatives as well as aiming to avoid and reduce the unnecessary use of resources before they ever need to be recycled.
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