Recycling in the RDEK

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To view or download information on the Recycle BC Depots: CLICK HERE.

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.

To view or download information on the Household Hazardous Waste Depot: CLICK HERE


When it comes to the three Rs there is no mistake as to the order that they appear. Once you have done a great job reducing and reusing, let us help you figure out the best way to recycle. There are many different options in the East Kootenay to keep waste out of our landfills, each one having its place in making things efficient and effective.

Recycle BC Depots
Recycle BC is a not-for-profit organization responsible for residential packaging and paper product recycling in BC. Recycle BC Depots (located at the Invermere, Kimberley, Cranbrook, Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford Transfer Stations) offer the greatest opportunity for keeping products out of the trash, including paper, cardboard, containers, cartons, flexible plastic packaging, glass, styrofoam and more.

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 Athalmer

Yellow Bins
The Yellow Bin system has been operating in the RDEK for over 20 years. Through this system we don’t have access to the same markets. The Yellow Bins accept only paper, cardboard, tin cans, grocery bags and plastics 1-6 (no styrofoam).

Municipal Curbside Programs
Invermere, Kimberley, Cranbrook and Fernie all have curbside recycling programs, check with your municipality to find out which products are accepted by your local program.

Provincial Product Stewardship Programs
When you pay an eco fee on a product, such as oil or electronics, those funds go to Provincial Stewardship Programs for their proper collection and recycling/disposal. These programs are Provincial and are totally separate from the RDEK. There are hundreds of products that can be recycled through these programs including: oil, antifreeze, paint, light bulbs, tires, batteries, cellphones, power equipment, smoke alarms, electronics, medications, small appliances and so many more.

Small Appliances
You can recycle over 300 types of electrical products at the Cranbrook Bottle Depot, Fernie Bottle Depot and Kimberley Transfer Station. The program accepts small appliances, power tools, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, hair dryers/curling irons, scales, timers, sewing machines, treadmills and more. To view a full list of accepted products visit www.electrorecycle.ca

Electronics
The environmental handling fees you pay on electronics in BC are managed by Encorp and there are drop-off locations at the Invermere Bottle Depot, Cranbrook Bottle Depot, Fernie Bottle Depot and Kimberley Transfer Station. They accept a wide range of electronics, including: televisions, computers, monitors, fax machines, DVD/VHS players, stereos, MP3 players, speakers, earphones, microphones, telephones, radios, vehicle audio and video systems, etc. To view a more complete list of acceptable products visit www.return-it.ca/electronics.

Oil, Oil Filters & Antifreeze
The BC Used Oil Management Association (BCUOMA) oversees the used oil program in BC. There are several depots throughout the region. Ensure every drop of used oil and antifreeze, every filter and every container is brought to a collection facility so it can be disposed of properly. To find a drop-off location near you visit www.bcusedoil.com

Paint
There are many drop-off locations for paint and aerosol paint throughout the East Kootenay. Containers must be sealed in paint containers and clearly labeled. If paint cans are dried out and there is no liquid left, the cans can go in the garbage. To find a drop-off location near you visit www.productcare.org

Light bulbs & Fixtures
LightRecycle is the BC residential light recycling program. Accepted products include incandescent lights, LEDs, compact fluorescent, tube fluorescent light bulbs, lighting fixtures, lamps, string lights, and much more. To find a drop-off location in your area visit www.productcare.org/products/lights

Tires
Tire Stewardship BC collects an eco fee when you buy tires to pay for transporting and recycling of old tires. There are depots that take up to 4 tires at a time free of charge throughout the East Kootenay. To find a depot near you visit www.tsbc.ca

Batteries & Cellphones
Alkaline and rechargeable batteries as well as cellphones are recyclable. There are many drop-off locations throughout the region. To find a drop-off location near you visit www.call2recycle.ca

Outdoor Power Equipment
Mowers, lawn tractors, snow blowers and gardening tools – corded, battery powered or fuel powered can be recycled at many locations throughout the East Kootenay. To find a location near you visit www.opeic.ca

Smoke Alarms & CO2 Alarms
There are drop off locations for used or expired smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms throughout the East Kootenay. To find a drop-off location near you visit www.productcare.org

Medications
Unused and expired medicines can be returned to pharmacies participating in the Medications Return Program. to find particiapating location near you visit www.medicationsreturn.ca

Regional Household Hazardous Waste Depot at the Cranbrook Transfer Station.

In 2019, the RDEK opened a year round Household Hazardous Waste Depot at the Cranbrook Transfer Station. Any residents with any of the accepted materials listed in this brochure can take the items free of charge to the Cranbrook Transfer Station at 2405 22nd St N.


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!

To view or download information on the Recycle BC Depots: CLICK HERE.

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.

To view or download information on the Household Hazardous Waste Depot: CLICK HERE


When it comes to the three Rs there is no mistake as to the order that they appear. Once you have done a great job reducing and reusing, let us help you figure out the best way to recycle. There are many different options in the East Kootenay to keep waste out of our landfills, each one having its place in making things efficient and effective.

Recycle BC Depots
Recycle BC is a not-for-profit organization responsible for residential packaging and paper product recycling in BC. Recycle BC Depots (located at the Invermere, Kimberley, Cranbrook, Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford Transfer Stations) offer the greatest opportunity for keeping products out of the trash, including paper, cardboard, containers, cartons, flexible plastic packaging, glass, styrofoam and more.

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 Athalmer

Yellow Bins
The Yellow Bin system has been operating in the RDEK for over 20 years. Through this system we don’t have access to the same markets. The Yellow Bins accept only paper, cardboard, tin cans, grocery bags and plastics 1-6 (no styrofoam).

Municipal Curbside Programs
Invermere, Kimberley, Cranbrook and Fernie all have curbside recycling programs, check with your municipality to find out which products are accepted by your local program.

Provincial Product Stewardship Programs
When you pay an eco fee on a product, such as oil or electronics, those funds go to Provincial Stewardship Programs for their proper collection and recycling/disposal. These programs are Provincial and are totally separate from the RDEK. There are hundreds of products that can be recycled through these programs including: oil, antifreeze, paint, light bulbs, tires, batteries, cellphones, power equipment, smoke alarms, electronics, medications, small appliances and so many more.

Small Appliances
You can recycle over 300 types of electrical products at the Cranbrook Bottle Depot, Fernie Bottle Depot and Kimberley Transfer Station. The program accepts small appliances, power tools, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, hair dryers/curling irons, scales, timers, sewing machines, treadmills and more. To view a full list of accepted products visit www.electrorecycle.ca

Electronics
The environmental handling fees you pay on electronics in BC are managed by Encorp and there are drop-off locations at the Invermere Bottle Depot, Cranbrook Bottle Depot, Fernie Bottle Depot and Kimberley Transfer Station. They accept a wide range of electronics, including: televisions, computers, monitors, fax machines, DVD/VHS players, stereos, MP3 players, speakers, earphones, microphones, telephones, radios, vehicle audio and video systems, etc. To view a more complete list of acceptable products visit www.return-it.ca/electronics.

Oil, Oil Filters & Antifreeze
The BC Used Oil Management Association (BCUOMA) oversees the used oil program in BC. There are several depots throughout the region. Ensure every drop of used oil and antifreeze, every filter and every container is brought to a collection facility so it can be disposed of properly. To find a drop-off location near you visit www.bcusedoil.com

Paint
There are many drop-off locations for paint and aerosol paint throughout the East Kootenay. Containers must be sealed in paint containers and clearly labeled. If paint cans are dried out and there is no liquid left, the cans can go in the garbage. To find a drop-off location near you visit www.productcare.org

Light bulbs & Fixtures
LightRecycle is the BC residential light recycling program. Accepted products include incandescent lights, LEDs, compact fluorescent, tube fluorescent light bulbs, lighting fixtures, lamps, string lights, and much more. To find a drop-off location in your area visit www.productcare.org/products/lights

Tires
Tire Stewardship BC collects an eco fee when you buy tires to pay for transporting and recycling of old tires. There are depots that take up to 4 tires at a time free of charge throughout the East Kootenay. To find a depot near you visit www.tsbc.ca

Batteries & Cellphones
Alkaline and rechargeable batteries as well as cellphones are recyclable. There are many drop-off locations throughout the region. To find a drop-off location near you visit www.call2recycle.ca

Outdoor Power Equipment
Mowers, lawn tractors, snow blowers and gardening tools – corded, battery powered or fuel powered can be recycled at many locations throughout the East Kootenay. To find a location near you visit www.opeic.ca

Smoke Alarms & CO2 Alarms
There are drop off locations for used or expired smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms throughout the East Kootenay. To find a drop-off location near you visit www.productcare.org

Medications
Unused and expired medicines can be returned to pharmacies participating in the Medications Return Program. to find particiapating location near you visit www.medicationsreturn.ca

Regional Household Hazardous Waste Depot at the Cranbrook Transfer Station.

In 2019, the RDEK opened a year round Household Hazardous Waste Depot at the Cranbrook Transfer Station. Any residents with any of the accepted materials listed in this brochure can take the items free of charge to the Cranbrook Transfer Station at 2405 22nd St N.


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!

Q&A

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!

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    Does RDEK accept coroplast signs for recycling

    Ronald asked 26 days ago

    At this point, there is no facility in the East Kootenay that can accept Coroplast signs or corrugated plastic.

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    Where can I take larger appliances like a fridge?

    riverdude asked 4 months ago

    Large appliances can be taken to the Kimberley, Cranbrook, Fernie, Sparwood, or Elkford transfer stations, or the Windermere Landfill.

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    Can broth tetra packs be recycled

    Ingrid asked 6 months ago

    Yes, they can be taken to any Recycle BC Depot and the go in the  large green bin marked "CONTAINERS". Recycle BC Depots are located at our Cranbrook, Kimberley, Elkford, Fernie and Sparwood Transfer Stations and the Invermere Transfer Station (in the Industrial Park).  To see all the items accepted at these depots: https://engage.rdek.bc.ca/11771/widgets/46424/documents/41752

    There is also a Recycle BC Depot at the Cranbrook Bottle Depot; however, their bins are marked differently. 

    Note: tetra packs of any kind are NOT accepted in the yellow bins - and must be taken to a Recycle BC Depot.

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    I have an old rug. Maybe 8’X4’. Where can I get rid of it?

    Heather asked 6 months ago

    Area rugs can be taken to any municipal or rural transfer station in the Central or Elk Valley Subregion. Municipal transfer stations include: Cranbrook, Kimberley, Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford.

    In the Columbia Valley, they can be taken to the Brisco, Edgewater, Fairmont or Canal Flats Transfer Station or the Columbia Valley Landfill (they are not accepted at the Invermere Transfer Station as the bins are too small to accept bulky waste).

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    where can we recycle glass in Cranbrook

    humbug2410#$ asked 6 months ago

    The Cranbrook Transfer Station has resumed collection of recyclable glass packaging. It was suspended temporarily after the November 2021 flood event in the Fraser Valley as the processing facility was closed and transportation was challenging.

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    Where can I take a carpet cleaner, that still works, but has seen better days? Can I bring it to the Cranbrook or Kimberley transfer stations?

    Laurel asked 6 months ago

    If it is still in working condition, the best place to take it would be a thrift store. If it is of no use anymore it can be recycled in the small appliances section of the Kimberley Transfer Station (the attendant will be able to direct you to the appropriate place once you are there), or at the Cranbrook Bottle Depot (1125 Industrial Road No3 ). Thanks

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    Where can I take an old fridge? I live in Fairmont Hot Springs.

    Nicola asked 7 months ago

    It can be taken to the Columbia Valley Landfill (1884 Windermere Loop Road )

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    can compact discs be recycled in the RDEK

    columbiagal asked 7 months ago

    They can be recycled at any Return-it depot. You can find the depot closest to you here: https://www.rcbc.ca/recyclepedia/search

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    Can you put pizza boxes in your household recycling?

    Autumn72 asked 7 months ago

    If they don't have any chunks of pizza left in them, they can go to any Recycle BC Depot (Invermere, Kimberley, Cranbrook, Fernie, Sparwood or Elkford) or be placed in Cranbrook or Kimberley's curbside recycling.

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    Can I recycle old VCR tapes and dvd's?

    Sheila Hansen asked 7 months ago

    They can be recycled at any Return-it depot. For a list of locations visit: https://www.rcbc.ca/

Page last updated: 12 Jul 2022, 09:17 AM