Milk & Plant-Based Beverages Transition into the Deposit System
Now, you can recycle milk containers for 10¢ each!
By:
Nadine |
Recycling milk containers is part of the CleanBC Plastics Action Plan that the Government of BC launched in 2019. This program will save millions of plastic materials from landfills. By adding these containers to BC Recycling programs, local businesses, schools, and restaurants will be able to include milk containers in with their other empty containers.
Let’s start with which milk containers can be recycled. We are happy to report that we can take a wide range of dairy milk and plant-based milk containers such as glass milk containers, plastic milk jugs, and cardboard milk containers. Use this chart as a guideline.
Accepted Milk Containers 10¢
Best before date after Feb 1, 2022
- Plastic dairy milk jugs
- Glass dairy milk containers
- Cardboard dairy milk boxes
- Plastic nut milk jugs
- Glass nut milk containers
- Cardboard nut milk boxes
- Plastic soy milk jugs
- Glass soy milk containers
- Cardboard soy milk boxes
Non-Refundable Milk Containers
Any milk product from above with an expiry date before Feb 1, 2022
- Drinkable Yogurts
- Infant Formula
- Meal Replacements
- Diet Supplements
- Beverage concentrates (condensed milk)
- Coffee creamers, whipped cream, & similar.
Are milk cartons refundable in bc?
Now that you know which milk containers you can recycle let’s talk about how you can put more money in your pocket. Milk containers provide a 10C return. They are a part of the universal return rate; all containers recycled in BC are worth a 10¢ return.
You can earn simpler and faster than ever with our two convenient services.
FastDrop
Drop of your unsorted containers to any of our eight depot locations. You can be in and out of the depot in minutes. We’ll sort your empties, and you’ll have the option of picking up your return in cash or withdrawing it from your FastDrop account after we finish processing your return. Yes, you can put your milk containers in with your other empties!
Depozip
You can also recycle your milk containers from home. With Depozip, you can schedule a free pick-up of your unsorted empties. Set up a free account, schedule a convenient pickup time, and put your unsorted empties on the curb. We’ll process your recycling and send a return to your account.
This new recycling program, implemented by the Government of BC, launches on February 1st, 2022. Please keep in mind that we can only accept milk containers with a best-before-date that falls on or after Feb 1st.
Making an A-moo-zing Impact
In 2017/2018, BC dairy farmers produced 808 Million gallons of milk. With this new recycling program, including dairy milk, nuts milk, soy milk, and other milk substitutes, the impact of recycling milk containers will be immense. To ensure we can recycle all the containers we collect, please give your milk containers a good rinse. This will mean we can give them a new life. Thank you for being a part of this great community and helping us keep containers out of landfills!
For more information about this exciting new recycling program, follow this link or reach out to the Regional Recycling team.
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Can we at least flatten one gallon
Milk containers?
Hi Elizabeth, thanks for checking on this. We ask that containers not be crushed due to our need to see the brand and purchase information. This allows us to determine if and when a deposit was paid on the container, and to process an accurate refund value. We look forward to seeing you at the depot.
One empty full size beer keg return amount? Thanks
Hi Kevin, thanks for checking in with us about this. We do not provide refunds for full sized kegs. Your best option would be to return it where you purchased it to receive your deposit refund.
hello, I have boxes of liquid floor stripper that I need to dispose of from my job site. Is this something you can help me with?
Thank you for checking in with us about your recycling!
Unfortunately we do not take your item for recycling. You can check with the RCBC Recycling Hotline to find a location where you can recycle: https://www.rcbc.ca/services/recycling-hotline
You can also call them at: 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253)
We look forward to seeing you at the depot.
Do you accept light blub?
Hi Nixon. We do accept all types of light bulbs and lighting products for recycling.
do you accept empty cardboard boxes like Amazon or diaper boxes for recycling purposes?
Hi Sham, thanks for checking on this. Only our Nanaimo locations accept cardboard for recycling.
Can we recyle a small upright freezer to the Abbotsford location?
Hi Julie. Yes, our Abbotsford location accepts all types of residential appliances. Look forward to seeing you there.
Do you accept toilets ? 🙂
Hi Jared. Thank you for checking in with us about your recycling!
Unfortunately we do not take your item for recycling. You can check with the RCBC Recycling Hotline to find a location where you can recycle: https://www.rcbc.ca/services/recycling-hotline
You can also call them at: 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253)
We look forward to seeing you at the depot.
Hi when sorting gable milk containers can they be mixed with juice gable containers or all milk has to be in one
HI Kevin. Thanks for asking! All gable tops can go together as long as they are not alcohol containers. See you at the depot!
Hi. Do you take old sewing machines? If not, any suggestions as to where I can take them?. Thanks
Hi Terri, we sure do! Look forward to seeing you at the depot.
do you accept air conditioners
Hi Dawn, we do take residential air conditioners at all of our Regional Recycling locations.
Do you accept gas lawn mowers?
Hi HM – we sure do. please make sure the gas and oil are drained before transporting to the depot. We look forward to seeing you there.
Good day do you take old bbqs?
Hi Gordon, we do take old BBQs. Please make sure the fuel source is disconnected and that the unit(s) are free of food waste before transporting to the depot.
I got lot of nails and rusty screws and small metal fittings etc can they be put in recycled bin or else?
We have a bin for loose metal fittings at each of the depots where you can deposit your scrap metal bits.
Do you take collapsible metal bed frames at the Evans St location?
Hi Stuart, if the frames are 100% metal we can take them for recycling. We look forward to seeing you there.
Hi, do u take window air conditioners?
Thx
Hi Lisa, we sure do. Look forward to seeing you at the depot!
Do you take Styrofoam package material
Hi JWK, While our Nanaimo locations do take household styrofoam packaging, our mainland locations do not take your item it for recycling. you can call the recycling hotline to find a location that recycles near you: 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253)
We look forward to seeing you at the depot.
I have some dismantle dinning chairs. Can I drop it off to Vulcan? Are there charges?
Hi Jane, Unfortunately we do not take your item for recycling. You can check with the RCBC Recycling Hotline to find a location where you can recycle: https://www.rcbc.ca/services/recycling-hotline
You can also call them at: 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253)
We look forward to seeing you at the depot.
Hi do you accept broken glass large amt.
Hi Eden. Unfortunately we do not take your item for recycling. You can check with the RCBC Recycling Hotline to find a location where you can recycle: https://www.rcbc.ca/services/recycling-hotline
You can also call them at: 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253)
We look forward to seeing you at the depot.
Hello – do you take old magazines?
Hi Tom,
Unfortunately we do not take your item for recycling. You can check with the RCBC Recycling Hotline to find a location where you can recycle: https://www.rcbc.ca/services/recycling-hotline
You can also call them at: 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253)
We look forward to seeing you at the depot.
Hi Tom,
Unfortunately we do not take your item for recycling. You can check with the RCBC Recycling Hotline to find a location where you can recycle: https://www.rcbc.ca/services/recycling-hotline
You can also call them at: 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253)
We look forward to seeing you at the depot.
Hello. Do you take styrofoam?
Hi Christine, While our Nanaimo depots do take household Styrofoam, we do not take it for recycling at any of our lower mainland locations. You can check with the RCBC Recycling Hotline to find a location where you can recycle: https://www.rcbc.ca/services/recycling-hotline
You can also call them at: 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253)
We look forward to seeing you at the depot.
Hello. Do you accept hard case luggages?
Unfortunately we do not take hard luggage cases (or any luggage) for recycling. You can check with the RCBC Recycling Hotline to find a location where you can recycle: https://www.rcbc.ca/services/recycling-hotline
You can also call them at: 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253)
Hello, can you tell me where I can take old child booster car seats to get recycled? They are not the full child car seats, just the booster. Do your recycling depots take them?
Thank you,
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for checking in with us about your recycling!
Unfortunately we do not take your item for recycling. You can check with the RCBC Recycling Hotline to find a location where you can recycle: https://www.rcbc.ca/services/recycling-hotline
You can also call them at: 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253)
We look forward to seeing you at the depot.
Can i bring stand fan and full car seats?
Hi Victor, We can recycle your stand fan, but not your car seats. An auto wrecker that resells may take those.
Do you take clothes washing machines and dryers
Hi Carol, We do take residential clothes washers and dryers at all of our depots EXCEPT Burnaby. Look forward to seeing you then.
Does the Cloverdale location accept mini fridges?
Hi Karen, It sure does. We look forward to seeing you there.
Doest the cloverdale location take bar fridges?
Hi there. Yes, the Cloverdale location will recycle all types of residential appliances, including fridges.
Do you take small amounts of cooking oil?
Hi Josh, unfortunately no. We do not recycle cooking oil.
Good morning, do you take empty plastic cd cases?
Hi Joy, absolutely. Happy to recycle those for you!
Hi,
How about damaged suitcases?
Hi there. Unfortunately we do not take suitcases for recycling. If they could be repaired perhaps a donation center may be interested, otherwise they would be trash.
How about old locks and keys? Do you pay cash for them? Are they considered scrap metal?
Great question. We can recycle all types of metal. Whether we pay for it depends on the material, the condition, and the amount. You can learn more on this page of our website: https://www.regionalrecycling.ca/scrap-metal-recycling/
Do you accept Christmas string lights
Hi Kerry, yes. We’re happy to recycle Christmas string lights and all other types of lights.
Do you take microwave, desk lamps, small heater, computer monitor and ink toner?
Thank you!
Hi Dan. Thanks for checking in on this. We can take all except the ink toner, which you can recycle at a Staples location. Look forward to seeing you at the depot.
Do you take Boost containers and Glucerna contaners
Hi Marlene, We accept all refundable containers listed in the Encorp Brand registry: https://www.return-it.ca/registeredbrands/ Unfortunately Glucerna and Boost are not included in the program.We look forward to seeing you at the depot.
Can I drop off the old chest freezer without making an appointment?
Hi Angela, thanks for checking in on this. You can drop your freezer off without an appointment. We look forward to seeing you at the depot.
Can I recycle plastic coolers here?
HI Kobe – Thanks for checking on this, but we cannot take those for recycling. You can check with the Recycle BC hotline to see if they can point you in the right direction: 604- recycle (604-732-9253)
Do you take old gasoline?
Hi Joe, we do take gas – Only in approved ULC Container that you will leave at the depot.
Our plastic goat milk containers were refused at your Burnaby location. These were from a Canadian goat dairy farm so why can they not be recycled??
Photo also shows a yogurt container but these were also refused.
Please explain why.
HI Jane, You don’t mention the brand so we can’t look it up for you, but you can check the Encorp brand registry. If a product is listed there we will accept it at the depots. https://www.return-it.ca/registeredbrands/
.do you take propane tanks with gas still in it
We haven’t had a barbecue for years now to use it up.If not where can I take it
Sorry Neil, we cannot take those for recycling.
Hi, are you accepting old paints and use oil cooking . Thanks !
Hi Larry,
Thank you for checking in with us about your recycling!
We can take old paints if they are in the original container and the lid tightly fits.
Unfortunately we do not take your used cooking oil for recycling. You can check with the RCBC Recycling Hotline to find a location where you can recycle: https://www.rcbc.ca/services/recycling-hotline
You can also call them at: 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253)
We look forward to seeing you at the depot.
Do you take paint cans that still have a little paint in them?
Hi Kurt, we do take your paint cans with paint in them. Please make sure the lid is tightly fastened to ensure safe cartage and storage at our facility. We look forward to seeing you there.
Does the Cloverdale location accept plastic shelves?
Hi Launa, Thank you for checking in with us about your recycling!
Unfortunately we do not take your item for recycling. You can check with the RCBC Recycling Hotline to find a location where you can recycle: https://www.rcbc.ca/services/recycling-hotline
You can also call them at: 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253)
We look forward to seeing you at the depot.
Do you take car batteries?
Do you take car oil?
Hi Dale, We do take car batteries. Unfortunately we no longer accept motor oil or motor oil products. To find a location where you can recycle near you, please visit the BC Used Motor Oil Management website: https://bcusedoil.com/recycling-centres/
hi want to make a work of scrap like plastic botals,glass bottle,drinking cups, pouches, card bord, alluminium can , metalsheet, iron metrial, than how i can do this work in BC and which are the recycling point wher i can drop all recycle material and gain money in my pocket, i want to make it my business
plz give me price of every recycling produt and list
so i can do my work interestingly and better
Hi Sachin. Thanks for checking in on this. The items we bring into our depots are not sold to anyone. They are responsibly recycled by the product steward responsible for the product.
Do u guys take clothes and shoes for recycling??
Hi Hiro, we do have clothing donation bins on site, but they do not accept shoes. If they’re in reasonable condition perhaps the Salvation Army Thruft Store might take.
Please delete my last comment I didn’t realize it would be public and I don’t want my phone number displayed…I will repost it without the phone number…If you can see it on my message you can still call and answer my questions please…I don’t do the drop off services so you don’t need to explain those I just do the self sort so I know how much money I will get right away…thanks
Hi Cindy. With self-sort you receive the full 10 cent refund per container. Because you are sorting containers onto the carts provided you can bring your containers to the depot in any type of bag. (You only need to use a transparent bag if you are using our Fastdrop service) We look forward to seeing you at the depot.