In general, a wide variety of commonly used paper, plastic, and metal items in the home can be recycled, either in the curbside recycling bins, or at some Regional District multi-material recycling bins.
However, some specific items are not welcome, typically because they can cause issues with the separation and processing machines used, or that they contain materials that contaminate and diminish the value of the recycled materials. The most common materials that should not be put in recycling are Styrofoam, plastic bags and overwrap, and glass. Please bring these items to a Recycle BC depot and place in appropriate bins.
Options for recycling of paper and packaging have changed.
The Recycle BC program is now available at the Mackenzie Select Waste Landfill and Regional Transfer Station, Quinn Street Regional Recycling Depot and Valemount Regional Transfer Station. Both the Mackenzie and Quinn Street sites are now operating seven days a week year-round to support residents using this new recycling program.
Paper and packaging recycling is also still accepted at the Prince George Recycling Centre off Vance Road and the Hart Return-It Centre on the Hart Highway as well as through curbside collection in Prince George.
Metal, compost, appliances, batteries, and oil will still be accepted at existing locations.
More information about these changes to Regional District transfer stations can be found at rdffg.ca (opens in a new window).
You can recycle in your household bin:
- Paper Cups and Lids
- Milk, and Plant-Based beverage cartons (these are now part of the deposit system, please visit www.return-it.ca (opens in a new window) for more information)
- Aluminum Foil and Food Containers
- Plastic Containers and Lids with #1-7 Recycling Symbols
- Tin Cans and Lids
- Paper, Magazines, Spiral Wound Paper Cans
- Cardboard and Boxboard
- Aerosol Cans (except spray paint)
- Plastic-coated Frozen Food Packaging (like ice cream cartons)
- Microwaveable paper containers
Take to Recycle BC depot for recycling
- Styrofoam (including foam egg cartons)
- Glass
- Plastic bags and overwrap
- Flexible plastic packaging
Available at RDFFG transfer stations
- Compost
- Scrap metal
- Appliances
- Batteries
- Oil
For a downloadable flyer on what to recycle, Download PDF (opens in a new window)
Recycle BC Depot locations:
- Hart Return-It Centre (6665 Hart Highway)
- PG Recycling & Return-It Centre (2614 Peterson Road)
How to prepare items for recycling
Paper & Cardboard Recycling
- remove all liners
- flatten all boxes
- remove plastic from cardboard flats.
Container Recycling
Take deposit containers to Return-It Depot for refund.
Remember to…
- empty and rinse containers, leaving labels on is okay
- remove caps, pumps, and lids, place these loose in the bin
- put metal lids inside cans and squeeze slightly.
Return-It Depot locations:
- Hart Return-It Centre (6665 Hart Highway)
- PG Recycling & Return-It Centre (2614 Peterson Road)
- Nechako Bottle Depot (1st avenue)