Recycling

FAQs (frequently asked questions)

• What can go into my Recycling cart?

  Recycle BC has partnered with the Town of Comox for processing the recycling from curbside carts. They set the guidelines for what is acceptable recycling content.

  Check out the resources below for a full list of items:

  • Wizard tool available on the:
    • Comox Curbside App (on Apple or Google Play) or the
    • Town website solid waste page (scroll about halfway down that webpage, look for the magnifying glass symbol called Wizard).
    • This Wizard tool includes items such as engine oil, paint, solvent, and chemicals, as well as any materials/supplies that are associated with them, such as a paint tray, oil filter, etc.
    • If the Wizard tool shows that an item cannot be put into the curbside recycling cart, then an alternate location will be suggested for household hazardous items and other items, for example, take certain items such as: cardboard, glass, foam, overwrap, bags, and flexible plastics to the Courtenay Return-It Depot.

  Please note:

  • Do not line your cart with a plastic bag.
  • Place all loose items in the cart, no need to bag or stack items however if you need extra space, before you place items into the cart, crush, compact and compress them such as bulky plastic containers and tin cans. Once the cart is full, not compact the contents inside it or they may not fully fall out into the collection truck.
  • Empty and rinse containers.
  • Remove any tape, string, ribbon or other contaminants.

  At a glance, the common items below are:

  ACCEPTED:

  • paper
    • shredded paper must be placed in a paper bag or box
  • cardboard
  • plastic (hard only)
  • metal

  NOT ACCEPTED:

  • glass: bottles, jars 
  • foam packaging 
  • plastic 
    • soft/flexible packaging such as plastic bags, plastic overwrap, crinkly plastic, stand-up and zipper lock pouches, flexible packaging with plastic seal, woven and net plastic bags and protective squishy cushion packaging. 
  • Household Hazardous Waste 
    • (take to the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre on a Household Hazardous Waste drop-off day)

   

• I cannot fit all of my recycling into my cart with the lid fully closed.

  • Stack related items together – such as yogurt containers.
  • Ensure all your cardboard is flattened - cut up larger pieces so they can stack flatter.
  • Crush, compact and compress items such as bulky plastic containers and tin cans.
  • Do not pack down the recycling inside your cart as it may not fully empty into the collection truck.
  • Store your extras and refill your recycling cart over the following collection week.
  • Drop off certain items at a Recycling BC Depot, visit their website to see what is acceptable.
  • If you still need an additional or larger cart, please visit our Cart Changes webpage.
• What are the weight limits for the carts?

  Please find below the weight limits for each cart. The limits are based on the cart size, not on the cart type.

  • 360L Cart max weight limit = 332.5 lbs
  • 240L Cart max weight limit = 227.5 lbs
• I have a question that was not answered here.

  Click to explore:

  • Solid Waste, especially the Calendar and Wizard tools (halfway down that page) and the GENERAL FAQs section (bottom of that page).
  • Cart Basics 
  • Cart Set Out Guidelines 

  Still have a question? Please contact Comox Public Works by email at publicworks@comox.ca or phone: 250-339-5410.

  Thank you.