Red Box – Plastic Packaging – Containers & Soft Plastic (bags & film)
The following items can be put in the Red Box for curbside collection. If you don’t have a Red Box, you can order one online or pick one up at the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot.
Please clean & rinse everything first!
-plastic bags & plastic wrap – please place all soft plastic bags & wrap into a plastic grocery bag before putting it in the red box to make it easier for our sorters to pull out!
-plastic containers & bottles
-plastic lids
-plastic packaging – for a complete list, visit Recycle BC’s website
Please do not include non-packaging plastics, or containers that held toxic materials in your red box. Please note that oil containers and filters and antifreeze containers can be recycled in our oils yard and we also accept styrofoam at the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot.
NOTE: We are currently in the process of phasing out some of the recycling bags. This will take place over a number of months, so keep on using what you’ve got till it is no longer usable. Our workers will pick up whatever you put out, as long as it is recyclable items that we accept in our curbside pickup program.
Why is it Important to Recycle Plastic?
What Happens to the Plastic Bags & Containers?
In the past, plastics were sorted into the type of plastic they are made from, then baled & sold to Merlin Plastics on Annacis Island to be recycled into pellets for the manufacture of non-food bearing products (bags, bottles, blue boxes, piping). Since 2014, all plastic packaging is collected and processed by industry under the stewardship of Recycle BC.
Plastic beverage containers are recycled through the Beverage Container EPR Program, run by Encorp Pacific. Learn more about Extended Producer Responsibility Programs.
Want to Know More?“What do the Numbers on Plastics Mean?”
The numbers on plastics refer to the type of plastic it is. #1,2,4,&5 are the easiest ones to recycle as they are higher grades and there is more of a market for these types of plastics.
#1 – Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET/PETE):
Includes products such as soft drink bottles and peanut butter jars. Recycled into pullover sweatshirts, pillow stuffing, carpeting, binders and T-shirts.
#2 – High Density Polyethylene (HDPT):
Includes products such as milk and juice jugs, shampoo and bleach bottles. Recycled into playground equipment, blue boxes and oil bottles.
#4 – Low Density Polyethylene (LDPT):
Includes such products as bread bags, grocery bags and six-pack rings. Recycled into plastic lumber, compost bins, shopping and garbage bags.
#5 – Polypropylene (PP):
Includes products such as syrup and ketchup bottles, yogurt and margarine tubs. Recycled into plastic scrapers, automotive battery cases and parts, measuring cups.