Recycle BC to bring flexible plastics and glass recycling to the curb in the Central Okanagan

Recycle BC, the not-for-profit organization responsible for residential packaging and paper product recycling throughout British Columbia (BC), will transition to managing curbside recycling service in the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) and its member municipalities of Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country, Peachland and Electoral Areas (East and West) beginning May 1, 2026. As part of this change, curbside recycling service will expand to include flexible plastics and non-deposit glass bottles and jars, making it easier for residents to recycle these materials from home.

In preparation for collection in May, two new boxes are now being delivered to homes in the region. The pink box will be used for flexible plastics, and the grey box will be used for non-deposit glass bottles and jars.

Flexible plastics are lightweight plastic packaging that can be easily crumpled or folded and are widely used to protect food and household products, such as:

• Plastic bags (for bread, produce, bulk foods, etc.)
• Overwrap (for toilet paper, paper towels, beverage flats, etc.)
• Stand‑up, zipper‑lock pouches (for granola, grains, dried fruit,  etc.)
• Crinkly wrappers and bags (cereal box liners, chip bags, pasta bags, etc.)
• Packaging with plastic seals (for deli meats, sliced cheese, etc.)
• Plastic net bags (for oranges, lemons, avocados, rice, etc.)
• Bubble wrap

Non-deposit glass bottles and jars include:

• Clear and coloured glass bottles and jars from condiments, sauces, pickles etc.  

While these materials have long been accepted and continue to be accepted at dedicated depots, with flexible plastics also accepted at London Drugs locations, the new pink and grey boxes will provide more access and convenience for Central Okanagan curbside residents.

“By expanding curbside recycling to include flexible plastics and non-deposit glass bottles and jars, we’re making it more convenient for Central Okanagan residents to recycle these materials and keep them out of landfills and nature,” said Sam Baker, Executive Director of Recycle BC.

“We are excited for Recycle BC to manage recycling services for residents across the Central Okanagan,” said Cynthia Coates, Supervisor of Solid Waste Services for the Regional District of Central Okanagan. “Adding flexible plastics and glass to curbside collection makes recycling more convenient and accessible for households while helping to improve waste reduction in the region and protect our environment.”

Environmental 360 Solutions (E360S), the current curbside garbage and recycling contractor for the Regional District of Central Okanagan and its member municipalities, is also the contractor selected to provide direct service on behalf of Recycle BC in the region. While the service provider remains the same, some collection days may change as routes are adjusted to accommodate the new material streams.

The new boxes will be collected every two weeks on the same day as blue-lidded recycling carts. Residents are encouraged to bundle flexible plastics inside reused clear plastic bags (for example bread or produce bags), then to stack the grey glass box on top of the pink flexible plastic box contents, and place both beside their blue-lidded cart at the curb. An educational brochure with a detailed recycling guide and collection calendar will be provided prior to the first collection in May.

To receive notifications about collection days, service alerts, and to learn more about the accepted materials, residents can visit RecycleBC.ca/CentralOkanagan or download the Recycle BC app.

About Recycle BC

Recycle BC is a not-for-profit organization responsible for residential packaging and paper product recycling throughout British Columbia, servicing over two million households or over 99 per cent of BC through curbside, multi-family and/or depot services. Recycle BC ensures packaging and paper products are collected from residential households and recycling depots, sorted and responsibly managed and recycled.

Recycle BC provides recycling services either directly to communities or by working in partnership with local governments, First Nations, private companies, and other not-for-profit organizations. The Recycle BC program is funded by businesses that supply packaging and paper products to BC residents. For more information, visit RecycleBC.ca.