Flexible plastics collection expands to Vancouver apartments

Recycle BC, a not-for-profit organization responsible for residential packaging and paper product recycling throughout British Columbia, will be expanding flexible plastics recycling to apartments and condos across the City of Vancouver. Starting in February, residents will be able to recycle flexible plastics in a new dedicated flexible plastics cart as part of their packaging and paper recycling collection program. In preparation for collection, new pink flexible plastic carts are now being delivered to apartments and condos across the City of Vancouver. 

What are soft and flexible plastics? 

Flexible plastics are lightweight plastic packaging that can be easily crumpled or folded and are widely used to protect food and household products, such as:

• Plastic bags (for bread, produce, bulk foods)
• Overwrap (for toilet paper, paper towels, beverage flats)
• Stand-up and zipper-lock pouches (for granola, grains, dried fruit)
• Crinkly wrappers and bags (cereal box liners, chip bags, pasta bags)
• Packaging with plastic seals (for deli meats, sliced cheese)
• Plastic net bags (for oranges, lemons, avocados, rice)
• Bubble wrap and other protective packaging

While these materials have long been accepted and continue to be accepted at dedicated depots and London Drugs locations, the new carts will provide more convenient access for Vancouver apartment and condo residents. Once service begins, accepted flexible plastics can be placed directly into a dedicated pink cart at participating buildings, eliminating the need to transport these materials elsewhere.

Expanded soft plastics recycling and residential collection 

Introducing a separate cart is intended to simplify recycling and improve recovery. Flexible plastics require different handling than rigid containers and paper, and collecting them in a dedicated bin helps reduce contamination and increase the amount of material that can be successfully recycled. 

Starting in February, 2026, apartments and condo recycling collection in Vancouver will also be provided by new contractors. Recycling Alternative will service Downtown Vancouver and False Creek, while Emterra Environmental will service all other areas of the City of Vancouver. These contractors will assume responsibility for collection previously provided by Waste Management, ensuring continuity of service as the transition takes effect.

The expansion of dedicated flexible plastic collection for Vancouver apartments and condos builds on successful programs already in place in West Vancouver and Maple Ridge where dedicated bins were introduced in 2025. Expanding flexible plastics recycling to City of Vancouver apartments and condos supports Recycle BC's ambitious flexible plastics recovery target of 50 percent by 2027. 

"Flexible plastics are a common part of everyday packaging, and making them easier to recycle is an important step toward improving recovery," said Sam Baker, executive director of Recycle BC. "By introducing a dedicated flexible plastic cart in apartment and condo buildings, we're removing barriers for residents, while ensuring these materials are collected, sorted and properly managed and recycled here in Metro Vancouver."

As part of Recycle BC's transition to new collection partners in Vancouver, recycling collection schedules may change for some buildings, and contractor customer service contact details will change. Property Managers have been reminded to check the Recycle BC app for the collection schedule. Residents are encouraged to begin saving clean flexible plastics at home ahead of the launch.