THE City of Vancouver is moving closer to its Greenest City 2020 Action Plan goals with an expanded recycling program for Vancouver residents this spring.

The City has reached an agreement with industry association Multi-Material BC (MMBC) to expand recycling options for Vancouver residents, with industry covering the costs.

As of May 19, residents will be able to recycle paper containers such as milk cartons, Tetra Paks, paper cups, ice cream tubs, and paper/metal containers such as frozen juice cans through the City’s curbside recycling program. In addition, Styrofoam and plastic bags will be accepted at the City’s depots. This expanded recycling program will help divert waste from the landfill and is a key strategy for meeting the City’s Zero Waste environmental goals.

The expansion of recycling options follows significant reductions in waste going to the landfill with the launch of the City’s expanded Green Bin program (food scraps recycling program for single-family and duplex homes). In the first year of the expanded program, the City has seen a 40 per cent reduction in the amount of residential garbage going to the landfill.

The agreement between MMBC and the City of Vancouver will allow the City to continue a proud, 20-year track record of delivering recycling services to residents. Once the program begins in May 2014, the City will receive compensation from MMBC to support the cost of operating its recycling programs and services.

In May 2011, the BC Provincial Government introduced legislation that holds industry responsible for the collection and recycling of packaging and printed paper (PPP) products sold and distributed within the province, and achieving a recovery rate of at least 75 per cent. The City supports the intention of the legislation as it encourages industry to minimize PPP waste and maximize recycling of these materials.

For more information about the City’s recycling program, visit vancouver.ca.