The City of Kamloops is part of the Recycle BC Printed Paper and Packaging (PPP) recycling program. This program outlines what materials are accepted in the curbside recycling program. What happens after it's collected? Learn more about what happens to my recycling.
Recycling Guide for Single- and Multi-Family Residences
Recycling Drop-Off Information Chart (for Items Not Accepted in Curbside Recycling)
What? Where? When? Waste Wise Kamloops App
Plastics Recycling
The City accepts some hard plastics in curbside recycling (e.g. plastic bottles, jars, and jugs; plastic caps, tops, lids, and pumps; plastic take out trays/lids; plastic garden pots/seeding trays; plastic straws and cutlery; disposable hangers), while flexible plastic materials must be returned to a Recycle BC Depot.
*In September 2019, CBC Marketplace aired a story exposing challenges related to plastics recycling in British Columbia. The following link to Recycle BC provides a response from the organization about this media coverage and further information about its processes for recycling. https://recyclebc.ca/response-marketplace/
Textiles Recycling
When residents make unused textile donations, they are supporting our community in a variety of ways. Donations help:
- keep waste from our landfills
- support local charities that use unwanted textiles as a way to raise funds
- make it easy for residents to declutter in ways that are environmentally friendly
Learn more about textile recycling opportunities in Kamloops.
Recycling Inspections
As part of our commitment under the provincial Recycle BC program, the City performs regular inspections of recycling carts for both curbside and multi-family recycling. The goal is to educate residents on what is accepted and not accepted in the program.
OOPS! Tags
Carts with any amount of contamination may be tagged with an OOPS! tag recycling reminder. Recycling is still collected, and the tag educates the resident on what the specific contaminant was. This is often a well-intentioned case of items being missorted.
Recycling Enforcement
Unfortunately, some carts have consistently high contamination. In these carts, we find a significant amount of garbage, hazardous material, or material not accepted by RecycleBC. These carts receive a sticker over the lid informing the resident their recycling will not be collected. Collection is temporarily suspended until the resident contacts staff to discuss how to resolve the contamination issue.
Recycling Tips
You can help ensure that more materials are recycled by following these steps:
- Keep your recycling loose. Place materials loose in cart or bin.
- Flatten and cut boxes to fit inside cart or bin (staples and tape are accepted).
- Place shredded paper in a paper bag or cardboard box.
- Empty and rinse containers, and recycle all caps and lids.
- Put metal lids inside cans and squeeze slightly.
- Ensure the seal and coffee grounds are removed before recycling single-use coffee pods. Foil seals can be recycled. Plastic-lined-foil seals cannot be recycled.
- Return deposit beverage containers for a refund (this now includes milk and milk-substitute containers).
- Remove leftover food, plastic liners, and wrap from flats.
Don't forget, you can use the Waste Wise Kamloops app any time to find out what can be recycled and where in Kamloops.
Free Landfill Items
Did you know that there are variety of items you can recycle for free any time at the Mission Flats Landfill? These include:
- Household paint and aerosols**
- Flammable liquids**
- Domestic pesticides**
- Gasoline**
- Light bulbs and fixtures
- Electronics
- Small appliances
- Batteries
** In original containers only
Other Accepted Items*
*at designated depots only
Glass and flexible plastics can be taken to a designated depot location.
