Recycling

Items that can go in your recycling for curbside collection include:

Paper: clean and dry paper only

Containers: empty and rinse containers

Depot Items:

Flexible Plastics: empty bags and remove non-plastic items

Foam Packaging:

Glass can easily break during collection. When broken glass mixes with paper and other containers it becomes difficult to properly recycle these materials, meaning that less glass—and less of the other material—is recycled. Broken glass is also a safety hazard. Glass can be disposed of at Bings Creek Solid Waste Management Complex (3900 Drinkwater Road, Duncan).

Plastic bags and film plastics (such as overwrap) are accepted at Island Return-It Bottle Depots, Bing’s Creek, and Peerless Road Recycling depots at no cost:

• Island Return-It Duncan (6476 Norcross Road, Duncan)
• Bings Creek Solid Waste Management Complex (3900 Drinkwater Road, Duncan)
• Peerless Road Drop-off Depot (10830 Peerless Road, Ladysmith)

Additionally, some grocery stores accept single use grocery bags for recycling at no cost. Please make sure that the bags are clean before taking them to be recycled.

Any paint cans, whether full, half-full, or empty can be dropped off at a local recycling depot, along with items such as old appliances or computers. If appliances or electronic devices are in good working order please consider donating to a reuse centre, like the Salvation Army.

There is no limit on the amount of recyclable materials you can put out on your collection day; however, each container should be no more than 120 L (30 US gallons) in size so the collection contractor can easily lift the materials into the truck. Some other jurisdictions allow much larger bins (up to 240L) as their recycling trucks are equipped with hydraulic arms that can lift these heavier recycling containers. North Cowichan's recycling contractor trucks are not equipped with these arms, so recycling containers must be lifted by hand, necessitating smaller bins.

The recycling routes are not the same as the garbage pickup zones. Your recycling day is identified by your colour zone and whether it is an “A” zone, or a “B” zone. Your neighbours’ may differ from yours, as they may be in the opposite “A” or “B” zone. Recycling is collected on an alternating cycle; normally every two weeks. Download the "MNC Curbside" app from the App Store or Google Play store to receive reminders sent to you before your collection day.

No, all apartment, strata, business, and institutional complexes within the municipality must arrange their own recycling services. Buildings may either self-haul recyclables to drop-off depot locations or utilise the services of a private waste hauler.