LTT December 2023 – 

Recycling: A Mixed Bag

    Waste Manager Mark and I recently went across Canada and along the way we took note of how other provinces handle recycling and waste. All of the places we stayed in had blue boxes for recycling but no instructions about what went in them. While walking through Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax we saw recycling bins in public places with three categories: recycling, compost and trash. In general, clear instructions about what was considered recycling was lacking which meant those public boxes were filled with a mix of things that made both Mark and I shake our heads and say,“Wishcycling”.

    In 2021, “wishcycling” was added to the Collins English Dictionary and defined as, “The practice of putting something in the recycling bin without being certain it’s actually recyclable.” It’s not surprising that confusion can lead to wishcycle, no matter how well intended we are. 

    In Canada, recycling is regulated by Provinces, so someone moving from Ontario to Alberta would need to learn new recycling habits. Fortunately, in BC, the list of items that can be recycled is continually being expanded due to technological advancements (eg. mesh avocado bags and most snack food packaging) and recycling regulation changes (eg. disposable hangers). Keeping tabs on what has been added (eg. single use plastic cutlery), changed from one bin to another (eg. milk and mylk substitutes can get a deposit through ReturnIt now, though they can still go to depots), or on the rare occasion taken out of the recycling program (eg. plastic lined paper chip bags) can be tough. When in doubt, ask depot staff who are there to help you. 

    Other reasons for changes in what is recycled include global market price fluctuations of recycled goods and raw materials, which can make the recycling of certain materials no longer cost effective. Budgetary constraints, municipal priorities and differing Provincial recycling regulations can mean that items are recyclable in one city but not the next. Some regions are more committed to reducing waste and increasing the rate of recycling so they offer streetscape waste sorting bins, education programs (Let’s Talk Trash) and apps (Check out qathet Waste Wise App) that make this easier. All of this means that what and how you can recycle really depends on where you live. 

     The act of wishcycling comes from a place of good intentions but it actually creates more problems than throwing out any item that is in doubt. Contaminated recyclables in the system slow down manual sorting processes and disrupt the reprocessing of genuinely recyclable products with garbage or incompatible materials. They can lead to costly recycling machinery breakdowns, increased operational expenses and a more hazardous work environment. Not only that, they also degrade the quality and end market price of recyclable materials. 

    To be fair, the global waste crisis hasn’t been created by consumers who fail to wash out their metals cans or put unacceptable plastic into a bin. Powerful global corporate forces driven by the capitalistic reliance on consumption, strong international waste trade incentives, a lack of standardized recycling policies and the devaluation of used resources are at major fault. The plastic industry invests heavily in advertising for recycling even though it’s known that recycling alone isn’t a viable solution to the massive problem of plastic pollution.

    In the best case scenario for the planet, there would be significant cuts to plastic production. Governments and businesses would think about designing products with disposal and re-use in mind. Single use plastics would be a thing of the past and recycling infrastructure with a circular economy in mind would be built. Instead, the oil and gas industry and producers of plastic packaging and products fight any progress and instead plan to increase plastic production, thereby escalating the ecological crisis we are already in. 

    All that said, BC is introducing some encouraging bans across the Province on a few single use items starting December 20th. Businesses will be banned from distributing single use plastic and compostable plastic:

shopping bags

paper bags and reusable shopping bags will have a charge

utensils

straws (except those used for accessibility), and

stir sticks

There will also be a ban on distributing...

cups

containers (eg. take out bowls and clamshells), and

other food service ware

...that are made from styrofoam, compostable plastic, and other problematic plastics. 100% plastic versions of these are still permitted and there are many exceptions, but it is a step in the right direction. Another change we will see is to disposable accessories like napkins, condiments, beverage cup sleeves and food trays. These will only be available upon customer request.  

    Another good news story happens on Lasqueti every day at the depot. It’s hard to wishcycle there as each piece of recycling brought in finds its appropriate place with the help of knowledgable staff. This is something to be grateful for. The recycling that leaves Lasqueti is not destined for landfill but ends up in Richmond where it is processed and on its way to its second life (Learn what happens to your depot recycling at RecycleBC.) 

For more information, please see...: 

Waste and Recycling

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