Recycling in the RDEK

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The Recycle BC program is an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program aimed at printed paper and packaging. It is funded by producers, like retailers and manufacturers that supply packaging and paper product to BC residents, keeping the costs away from homeowners. By opening Recycle BC Depots, the RDEK is classified as a collector, and gets paid per tonne directly from Recycle BC for all materials collected at the Depots.

The benefit to residents is that the Recycle BC Depots take all the same materials as can go in the yellow bins - plus over 76 additional items. PLUS, the RDEK gets paid per tonne collected (we have to pay per tonne for all materials collected in the yellow bins). It saves your taxpayer dollars and you can recycle WAY more...it's a win, win!

Glass recycling in the East Kootenay has changed. Currently, the only viable option for glass recycling is the provincially-regulated Recycle BC program. As a result, all glass recycling can now be done at the Recycle BC depots. All glass collected through Recycle BC depots will be turned into new glass containers or crushed and used in sandblasting. As part of this change, the yellow glass recycling bins around the region are being removed by our contractor.

Recycle BC Depots are open at the following locations:

  • Cranbrook Transfer Station - 2405 22nd St N
  • Kimberley Transfer Station - 800 Jim Ogilvie Way
  • Cranbrook Bottle Depot (non RDEK Recycle BC Depot) - 1125 Industrial Rd. #3
  • Fernie Transfer Station - 6000 HWY 3
  • Elkford Transfer Station - 6 Inkaneep Rd
  • Sparwood Transfer Station - 1001 HWY 3
  • Invermere Transfer Station - Industrial 1 Rd in Athalmere

In addition, there is now a Regional Household Hazardous Waste Depot at the Cranbrook Transfer Station.

  • To view or download information on the new Recycle BC Depots: click on the "Recycle BC Depot Guide" in the document library.
  • For more general information on how to recycle things outside the Recycle BC program (such as oil, electronics, household hazardous wastes and medications): check out the "Recycling Directories" links in the Document Library.

You can also try the Provincial recycling database here: https://www.rcbc.ca/recyclepedia/search or use the Q&A tool below to ask your recycling questions or view the questions / answers from others!


The Recycle BC program is an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program aimed at printed paper and packaging. It is funded by producers, like retailers and manufacturers that supply packaging and paper product to BC residents, keeping the costs away from homeowners. By opening Recycle BC Depots, the RDEK is classified as a collector, and gets paid per tonne directly from Recycle BC for all materials collected at the Depots.

The benefit to residents is that the Recycle BC Depots take all the same materials as can go in the yellow bins - plus over 76 additional items. PLUS, the RDEK gets paid per tonne collected (we have to pay per tonne for all materials collected in the yellow bins). It saves your taxpayer dollars and you can recycle WAY more...it's a win, win!

Glass recycling in the East Kootenay has changed. Currently, the only viable option for glass recycling is the provincially-regulated Recycle BC program. As a result, all glass recycling can now be done at the Recycle BC depots. All glass collected through Recycle BC depots will be turned into new glass containers or crushed and used in sandblasting. As part of this change, the yellow glass recycling bins around the region are being removed by our contractor.

Recycle BC Depots are open at the following locations:

  • Cranbrook Transfer Station - 2405 22nd St N
  • Kimberley Transfer Station - 800 Jim Ogilvie Way
  • Cranbrook Bottle Depot (non RDEK Recycle BC Depot) - 1125 Industrial Rd. #3
  • Fernie Transfer Station - 6000 HWY 3
  • Elkford Transfer Station - 6 Inkaneep Rd
  • Sparwood Transfer Station - 1001 HWY 3
  • Invermere Transfer Station - Industrial 1 Rd in Athalmere

In addition, there is now a Regional Household Hazardous Waste Depot at the Cranbrook Transfer Station.

  • To view or download information on the new Recycle BC Depots: click on the "Recycle BC Depot Guide" in the document library.
  • For more general information on how to recycle things outside the Recycle BC program (such as oil, electronics, household hazardous wastes and medications): check out the "Recycling Directories" links in the Document Library.

You can also try the Provincial recycling database here: https://www.rcbc.ca/recyclepedia/search or use the Q&A tool below to ask your recycling questions or view the questions / answers from others!

Have a question about what goes where? Want clarification on recycling?  Leave your question here and we will get it answered as quickly as we can!

Q&A

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    Can I recycle photographs?

    Deb asked 27 days ago

    Photographs and photographic negatives are not recyclable at this time. They can be disposed of in your household garbage.

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    Can I recycle cds and their cases

    Closet cleanout asked about 1 month ago

    They can be taken to the Fernie Bottle Depot, Cranbrook Bottle Depot or Invermere Bottle Depot.

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    Hi, my Dad brought home a big box of florescent lightbulbs from the free store and of course they do not his fit lightbulbs. Where can we have them recycled?

    Happy to Help Resident asked 2 months ago

    That all depends on which area you reside in.

    The Elk Valley = Fernie Home Building Centre.
    The Columbia Valley = Invermere Home Building Centre.
    The Cranbrook/Kimberley Area = Cranbrook Home Hardware.

    For more info on light recycling visit www.productcare.org

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    How may I be involved in your recycing project? I am an investor outside Canada and have experience in producing Vermi compost, is there any chance for me to produce vermi beside your activities? regards

    Majid asked 2 months ago

    Hello, thanks for your interest in our waste reduction programs. For any direct questions about our regional composting plans, please contact our Environmental Services Manager Kevin Paterson at [email protected] or 250.489.2791. Thanks.

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    Can Mason canning jars be recycled? If so, where?

    Norm asked 2 months ago

    Yes they can. the glass part can go in the Glass Bin and the lids in the Containers Bin at any Recycle BC depot.

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    We have an expired can of Bear Spray...where can it be disposed of safely.

    Darleen Reid asked 4 months ago

    Bear spray can be dropped off at the household hazardous waste depot at the Cranbrook Transfer Station.

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    Does the RDEK recycle program take plastic lids from pop bottles, vitamin bottles, etc.?

    canucknut asked 3 months ago

    Those lids can be placed in the containers bin at any Recycle BC depot.

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    Does the RDEK recycle program take used cooking oul?

    Nicole asked 4 months ago

    No it doesn't.

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    Hi. Can you tell me what I CAN recycle at the Recycle BC bins at the Col. Valley landfill that I CANNOT recycle through the Invermere curbside pick up.

    Merham asked 4 months ago

    Yellow bins accept plastics numbered 1-6 (excluding styrofoam), metal containers and paper and cardboard products. The Recycle BC Depots accept a wider range of plastics, flexible packaging, plastic bags and overwrap, milk cartons, styrofoam (both white and coloured), glass containers, foil and almost countless other materials. For a more comprehensive list check out our Recycle BC brochure or visit https://recyclebc.ca

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    Can I recycle black styrofoam meat trays?

    Wacoba77 asked 4 months ago

    Indeed you can. They go in the coloured/printed styrofoam bin. Make sure to give them a rinse.