The CRD curbside blue box program provides recycling collection services to 123,000 single family homes in the region. To participate have your recyclables at the curb by 7:30am on your collection day and utilize at least one CRD blue box or blue bag to indicate to the recycling truck driver the materials are intended for this program. There is no need to register to participate in the program.

The program is paid for by Recycle BC, a non-profit stewardship organization that represents producers of packaging and paper products in BC. The BC Recycling Regulation requires producers of packaging and paper products in BC to be responsible for the recycling costs associated with the material, not residential taxpayers. 

New materials were added to curbside collection on January 1st, 2023. To see the full list of new materials click here. 

Collection schedule

Visit our Blue Box Schedules page to:

  • Find your next scheduled collection day
  • Subscribe for bi-weekly reminders via email, voicemail or Twitter
  • Download the RecycleCRD app
  • Sign up for service alerts (eg. inclement weather, holidays)
  • Download the schedule into your electronic calendar
  • Print your own calendar
  • Note - With the exception of Christmas and New Years Days, collection proceeds as usual on holidays.

Items accepted

The program is for the collection and recycling of packaging containers, cardboard, newsprint and mixed paper.

To meet Recycle BC processing and quality standards and ensure that items placed out by residents get to recycling markets, items are collected in three separate material streams. This ensures that materials such as glass are kept separate from paper fibres and plastics so each stream can be efficiently sorted for processing into new materials.

  1. Paper, Boxboard and Cardboard
  2. Metal, Plastic and Paper Containers
  3. Glass Bottles and Jars

Visit the Recycle BC website for complete list of items accepted and posters.

Note: all items accepted for recycling are banned from residential garbage.

Glass bottles and jars

Glass bottles and jars must be kept separate from your other containers. An old plastic tub or pail can be used to contain your clean glass containers. Cardboard boxes, paper bags or plastic bags are not suitable receptacles for your glass containers. While not required, pink "Glass Bottles and Jars Only" labels are available by contacting Emterra at 250.385.4399 or by email. These are helpful in designating your glass collection bin.

Clean recyclables

There are several reasons we need to ensure that containers are clean when placed at the curb, such as:

  • Dirty containers smell and may attract animals, rodents and insects (including wasps and bees). Learn more about waste and wildlife
  • Health risks to drivers and processing plant staff from pathogens and mold that can become airborne
  • Safety risks if a container has bleach residue or other potentially dangerous substances in it
  • Dirt and debris can damage recycling equipment and other manufacturing equipment
  • Heavily soiled items may end up being sent to landfill

To prepare pizza boxes for recycling, empty them of all food waste, liners and inserts. Tear off lid or fold in half and place out with your cardboard.

CRD blue boxes and bags

The program provides residents with one CRD blue box and two blue bags per home. If you are a new resident or require a replacement blue box or blue bag, please contact our collection contractor, Emterra Environmental, at 250.385.4399 or by email.

Boxes and bags are also available for pick up at the following locations.

Use of other boxes and bags

While the CRD blue box size promotes efficient, safe lifting and limits items that are too heavy and too large, other plastic boxes or bins may be utilized as well. Look for receptacles that are similar in size to a CRD blue box (see dimensions below), as the recycling truck driver lifts and empties over 2,000 boxes and bags every collection day. Receptacles placed out in addition to a CRD blue box or bag do not have to be blue or contain the recycling symbol. Cardboard boxes and paper bags are not suitable receptacles for the container stream and glass. Plastic bags are also not suitable for containing recyclables at the curb, materials left in plastic bags will not be collected. 

CRD blue boxes are 47 litres (12 gallons) and measure 48 x 40 x 31cm or 19 x 16 x 13" (L x W x H).

Note: The recycling bins measuring 15.5" high available through Home Hardware are an acceptable size and may be used.

Missed collection

Check if your materials have been tagged with a preparation sticker. If there does not appear to be an issue and your items are not picked up by 9pm on your collection day, leave materials at the curb and contact Emterra Environmental at 250.385.4399 by 11am the following day.

There is no limit to the amount of material you may place at the curb.

You can also drop your recyclables off for free at Recycle BC depots in the region.

Inclement weather

Wind

  • Secure your materials on windy days to ensure your recycling doesn’t litter your neighbourhood.
  • Place your blue box on top of cardboard.
  • Pinch tops of blue bags by folding down or placing under box.
  • Consider placing your items out in the morning (by 7:30am).

Ice and Snow

  • Hold on to your recyclables until your next collection day should service be affected by unsafe road conditions. There is no limit to the amount of material you may place at the curb.
  • You can also drop your recyclables off for free at Recycle BC depots in the region.
  • Subscribe for service alerts through our Blue Box Schedules page.

Deposit/refund beverage containers

Tips to reduce individuals going through your recyclables:

  • Do not include deposit/refund beverage containers (which now includes milk containers) with your mixed container stream. If you do place deposit/refund beverage containers out on collection day, place them in a separate receptacle which is easily identifiable.
  • Place your recyclables at the curb in the morning (by 7:30am) on your collection day.
Visit the Return-it program website for a list of deposit/refund locations.

Note: The CRD scavenging bylaw was repealed in June 2021.

Multi-family buildings

  • For information on recycling services available to your multi-family residential complex, please contact your waste hauler.
  • Learn more about collection services in the region.

More about Recycle BC

Recycle BC is the industry association that is responsible for residential recycling of packaging and printed paper in the Province, as required under the BC Recycling Regulation. These services are provided through a combination of curbside collection, drop-off depots and multi-family residential programs.

Where to recycle other items

Have extra items? Want to recycle styrofoam, plastic bags and overwrap or other flexible plastic packaging? Click here for a list of Recycle BC Depots in the region.

Visit myrecyclopedia.ca to learn what else you can recycle.

Winter Weather

Hold on to your recyclables until your next collection day should service be affected by unsafe road conditions.

Free Drop-off

Missed your collection or have extra items to drop off? Find a Recycle BC drop-off location.

Contacts

Missed collection, replacement blue boxes and blue bags:
250.385.4399
Email

What to include, preparation information:
250.360.3030
Email