What would you like to Recycle?

Cartons

carton, gable top containers

Glossary
Cartons

Residential cartons (soup, coffee creamers, buttermilk, whipping cream, etc.) can be recycled for free through the provincial Recycle BC program. In the Capital Region this is available through the curbside blue box recycling program as well as some drop off locations.

Paper cartons can be challenging to know what to do with as they can’t be recycled with regular paper, due to their plastic content. They are accepted in the curbside recycling program with your plastic and metal containers, in the blue box.

Refundable cartons are managed through the beverage container return program.  See the listing for Beverage Containers (refundable) for the location of collection facilities in the region. 

Effective February 1, 2022 cartons for "ready-to-drink" milk and plant-based beverages like oat, soy, and almond will become part of beverage container return program. Find out more >>

Reduce | Reuse | Recycle | Facilities

How do I go green?

Some companies offer glass containers, which are sturdy but easily recycled. Buy liquids in large containers to reduce packaging.

Cartons can be used in kid’s art projects or to store nails and screws in your work shed.

Residential cartons are accepted in the curbside blue box recycling program and for free at Recycle BC Depots found here. 

Please be sure to wash the cartons out, flatten them and remove any lids no matter where you take them for recycling.

Contact facilities listed below regarding size limits and charges.

Facilities

  • Alpine Bottle Depot

    1045 Dunford Ave
    Victoria
    250.474.5145

  • CRD Curbside Blue Box Recycling Program



    236.470.0186

  • Darryl's and James's Digs

    103 East Point Road
    Saturna Island
    250.539.3385

  • Esquimalt Return-It

    935 Ellery
    Victoria
    250.381.1482

  • Galiano Recycling Depot

    220 Sturdies Bay Road
    Galiano Island
    250.539.5769

  • Grocery Stores



  • Hartland Depot

    1 Hartland Avenue
    Victoria
    250.360.3030

  • Pacific Mobile Depots (PMD)

    6215 Marilyn Rd
    Sooke
    250.893.3851

  • Pender Island Recycling Depot

    4400 Otter Bay Road
    Pender Island
    250.629.6962

  • Saturna Island Recycling Depot

    101 Harris Road
    Saturna Island
    250.539.8080

  • Sidney Return-It

    5-10025 Galaran Road
    Sidney
    778.351.2828

  • Sooke Bottle Depot

    2032 Idlemore Road
    Sooke
    250.642.4040

  • South Jubilee Neighbourhood Association Recycle

    1625 Bank Street
    Victoria
    250.595.2685

    • The Environmental Story

    Gable top cartons are made from ‘polycoat’ – lightweight, high-grade paperboard sandwiched between two thin layers of polyethylene (plastic) film.  The result is a strong, rigid container that effectively maintains the integrity of the product inside.

    Polycoat is a high-value material that can be converted into new material using a process known as hydra pulping.  A hydra pulper is like an enormous blender, where a combination of heat, water and agitation break down the material to produce raw fibre, or pulp.  The pulp is then used to make new paper products such as corrugated medium (the inner layer of corrugated cardboard), linerboard and household tissue products.  The small amount of residual polyethylene can be screened off for use in other plastic and composite materials. 

    Did You Know?

    When you pick up a carton at the store, you’re picking up a gable top carton.  The name comes from the fold at the top which looks like the gable roof of a house.