"What Goes Where?" Blue Recycling Bag Tips

New items included in Blue Bag Recycling Program

Beginning April 1, 2025, the City’s Blue Bag program is now accepting new items with the introduction of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation.

New items include:

Plastic Clamshell Containers: Plastic containers for fruit, takeout, salad and veggie trays.

Single-Use Containers: Yogurt and pudding containers.

Tetra Pak Containers: Soup/broth and liquid egg cartons. 

Recycling must be placed into a Blue Recycling Bag. Utilizing the blue bag ensures that the contents are clean and dry, overall maintaining the quality of our recycling.

Keep these items out of your Blue Recycling Bag:

Unacceptable Plastic Products 

Plastic Bags

plastic bagsPlastic bags are not acceptable in the Blue Recycling Bag as they get caught in the equipment at the recycling facility. Reuse bags as liners for garbage cans or for pet waste.

Plastic Wrap

plastic wrappingPlastic wrap and overwrap are not recyclable. Please place these items in the Brown Garbage Cart or consider choosing products with less packaging.

Plastic Wrappers

assorted plastic wrappersPlastic wrappers from candy, chips, and chocolate are not recyclable. Please place these items in the Brown Garbage Cart. 

Single Use Items

Non-Plastic To-Go Drink Cups

to go cups and lidsWaxed-paper, single-use (to-go) drink cups from coffee, smoothies and fountain drinks are not recyclable and go in the Brown Garbage Cart. The plastic cups, though, can be put in the blue bag, just like loose lids can also be recycled.. Instead, consider using a travel mug or bottle for beverages on the go.

Snack Cups and Pouches

Single serve pouches from sauces go in the Brown Garbage Cart. These items are made with a mix of plastic and paper that cannot be recycled. Try buying yogurt and sauces in bulk and portioning them out in reusable containers. 

Coffee Pods and Stir Sticks

Coffee pods and stir sticksCoffee pods and stir sticks are not recyclable as they’re too small, and will fall between the equipment at the recycling facility. They cannot be made into something new, so please place these items into the Brown Garbage Cart. Coffee grounds can be emptied and placed into the Green Organics Cart.

Drinking Straws

strawsGo strawless! Say “no thanks” to a straw when dining out. Straws are not recyclable and go in the Brown Garbage Cart.

Plastic Utensils

plastic cutleryPlastic utensils are not recyclable and go in the Brown Garbage Cart. Carry a reusable set of utensils in your backpack or purse for meals on the go, instead of using disposable plastic.

Miscellaneous

Styrofoam

packing peanuts, styrofoam take out containersStyrofoam cups, food take out containers, plates, packing peanuts, memory foam, #7 items and dirty/soiled packaging are not acceptable for recycling. Please put these items in the Brown Garbage Cart. Certain types of soft foam, coloured foam, meat trays and clean white packing blocks can be recycled at the Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot. Learn more at Styrofoam 101.  

Napkins, Paper Towels, Tissues

wrapping paper, tissue paperNapkins, paper towels, tissues and tissue paper are not acceptable for recycling. Instead, they can go inside the Green Organics Cart to be composted.

Shredded Paper

pile of shredded paperShredded paper is very messy and difficult to recycle. The pieces get stuck onto other recyclables, and get caught in the equipment at the recycling facility. Instead put shredded paper in your Green Organics Cart and it can be composted.

Spiral Wound Containers

Spiral wound containersSpiral wound containers from tea, coffee, nuts, and crescent rolls are not acceptable in the Blue Recycling Bag. These items are made of mixed plastic and paper that cannot be recycled. Please place these items in the Brown Garbage Cart.

Glass Bottles, Jars and Containers

Glass bottlesGlass bottles, jars, and containers are not acceptable in the Blue Recycling Bag. Glass is difficult to recycle as it can break at many points of the recycling journey. Anything broken cannot be recovered and must be sent to the landfill. Glass bottles and jars are accepted at the Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot and can also be reused for crafts or home storage.

Non-Attached Bottle Caps, Lids and Pumps

bottle caps, lids, and pump topsA 'handy' tip - you can recycle lids the size of your palm or larger. Anything smaller, such as bottle caps and pumps should be placed in the Brown Garbage Cart. These items are too small and will fall between the equipment at the recycling facility. If bottle caps, lids or pumps are attached to a bottle, it can be placed in a blue bag.

Household Items

Plastic Toys

discarded children's toysNot all plastics can be recycled. Items like plastic toys are not acceptable in the Blue Recycling Bag. Donate or share with others if reusable, or place these items in the garbage.

Lawn Chairs, Laundry Baskets, Plastic Hangers

hamper filled with household plasticsHousehold items like plastic toys, lawn chairs or laundry baskets are not acceptable in the Blue Recycling Bag. Dispose of large items through the City’s Seasonal Waste Programs, or place these items in the garbage.

CDs, DVDs, Cassettes and VHS

dvds, cassettes, cdsCDs, DVDs, cassettes and VHS tapes are not recyclable. These items get caught in the equipment at the recycling facility and cannot be made into something new. Donate or share with others if reusable, or place these items in the Brown Garbage Cart.

Not sure where an item goes? Download the Be Waste Wise App and click on "What Goes Where?" for more sorting tips.


Related Pages

Last edited: April 9, 2025