New Pink Bins Around Vancouver for Recycling Flexible Plastics
We’ve heard of blue bin, or green bin, recycling, now what will the new pink bins be for around Vancouver? Starting mid-February, apartments and condos around the City of Vancouver will have the new pink bin option to recycle flexible plastics.
New Pink Bins Around Vancouver for Recycling
Until February 15, 2026 the service provider for the City of Vancouver apartments and condos continues to be Waste Management. Starting February 16, 2026 and on, Recycle BC will transition the City of Vancouver recycling collection for apartments and condos to two new contractors:
- Recycling Alternative (collection in blue in the map above)
- Emterra Environmental (collection in green in the map)
Recycle BC has been slowly adding pink recycling boxes in municipalities, after launching the program a year ago. When the CBC spoke with them, the non-profit organization did not say why it is not implementing pink boxes for single-family homes in Vancouver at this time or other areas of the province.
What Are Flexible Plastics?
There will be a new guide available from Recycle BC after February 15th. Currently, the guide excludes flexible plastics from pick-up and you can only drop them off for recycling at depots (or spots like your local London Drugs).
- Plastic bags, outer bags and over wraps, flexible plastic with plastic seal (like certain food containers or electronics packaging).
- Zipper-lock and stand-up pouches, crinkly wrappers (like chip bags)
- Women plastic bags, protective and squishy cushion packaging
Styrofoams are their own category, and it’s unclear whether they will be included in the new pick-up or if you will only be able to continue to drop-off at depots. This includes: foam meat trays, cups and containers; foam cushion packaging that protects electronics in shipping.
Not Available for recycling pick-up or drop off:
- Cellophane wrap for floral arrangements, etc.
- Garbage bags
- Plastic squeeze tubes, plastic-lined paper
- Paper-lined plastic, plastic strapping
- 6-pack rings, biodegradable plastic, vinyl
- Blue or pink foam insulation, packing chips
- Squishy or flexible foam, foam noodles
You can download the Recycle BC app and be sure to update it in February to get the new guide to see what you will soon be able to put in the pink bin right at home.
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