Recyclepedia
What Can I Recycle?
Most packaging and paper are accepted in your blue bin, but there are exceptions. Look up items in the Recyclepedia to learn if and how you can recycle them in your community.
Accepted and Non-Accepted Materials List
Click on a material category to see examples of items that can or can’t go in your blue bin.
Aluminum & Steel
Accepted
- Aluminum cans and lids
- Steel containers and lids
Examples
- Food and beverage cans
- Coffee cans
- Tuna cans
- Soft drink cans
- Soup cans
- Sauce cans
- Pet food cans
- Cookie tin containers
Not Accepted
- Pots, pans and baking trays
- Aluminum foil, trays and pie plates
- Aerosol/spray cans
- Foil-lined cardboard take-out containers and lids
- Electronics and appliances
- Metal toys
- Wire coat hangers
- Scrap metal
- Paint cans
- Propane, butane and other gas cylinders
Cardboard and Boxboard
Accepted
- Cardboard boxes and inserts
- Boxboard packaging
Examples
- All sizes of cardboard boxes
- Pizza boxes (with minimal food and grease residue)
- Cereal boxes
- Shoe boxes
- Molded paper packaging such as box inserts, egg cartons, and take-out beverage trays.
- Tissue paper boxes
- Empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls
- Take-out beverage trays
Not Accepted
- Greasy pizza boxes
- Wet boxboard and cardboard
- Boxes with a foil, wax, or plastic lining
Cartons
Accepted
- Aseptic cartons
- Gable top cartons
Examples
- Juice boxes
- Milk cartons
- Soup cartons
- Juice cartons
- Frozen dessert boxes (i.e., ice cream and frozen yogurt cartons)
Not Accepted
- Food and drink pouches
- Straws (paper or plastic)
Glass
Accepted
- Clear and coloured glass jars, bottles, and containers
Examples
- Glass food and beverage containers
- Salsa jars
- Olive oil bottles
- Juice bottles
- Hard liquor and wine bottles
- Cosmetic containers
- Perfume bottles
Not Accepted
- Drinking glasses and dishes
- Glass cookware
- Ceramics and porcelain
- Broken glass
- Mirrors
- Light bulbs
- Automotive glass
Paper
Accepted
- Plain and printed paper
Examples
- Office paper
- Note paper
- Envelopes (with windows and without)
- Paper-padded shipping envelopes
- Telephone directories
- Greeting cards without ribbon, foil, or sparkles
- Flyers (glossy and matte)
- Store receipts
- Newspaper
- Paper bags
- Craft paper
- Magazines and catalogues
- Shredded paper (must be put in a large, clear plastic bag before it goes in the blue bin)
Not Accepted
- Books (hardcover and paperback)
- Greeting cards with ribbon, foil, or sparkles
- Paper towels and napkins
- Paper envelopes with plastic/bubble padding.
- Facial tissue paper
- Wrapping paper and decorative tissue paper
- Paper bags with plastic or foil lining (i.e. microwave popcorn bags, pet food bags, or carry out bags)
- Disposable food and beverage containers with plastic lining
Plastics
Accepted
- Most plastic packaging and containers
Examples
- Plastic water bottles
- Peanut butter containers
- Shampoo bottles
- Body care product containers
- Plastic bottles and jugs with caps, spray pumps, or pull-up tops
- Laundry detergent bottles
- Margarine containers
- Milk jugs
- Cleaning solution bottles
- Pill/supplement bottles (prescription or over the counter)
- Plastic clamshell containers with hinged or click-closed tops
- Rigid plastic packaging
Not Accepted
- Plastics that are not packaging
- Foam packaging (e.g., Styrofoam)
- Black plastics (any number)
- Toys
- Plastic plant pots
- Plastic plates and cutlery
- Plastic film (e.g., plastic bags, cellophane wrap, kitchen stretch wrap, cereal bags, etc.)
- Plastics labelled biodegradable or compostable
- Zipper lock pouches for frozen foods
- Potato chip bags
- Rice bags
- Mesh bags for avocados, onions, citrus fruit
Get the Recyclepedia Mobile App
Your pocket recycling guide
Be ready to recycle right at any time.
Download the app for Android or iOS.
Download or Print
Recycling Guides
