What materials can be sorted for recycling?
Calgary has a comprehensive three-color waste sorting system that allows residents to efficiently separate materials between blue containers for recycling, green containers for composting, and black containers for regular trash. This system, introduced over a decade ago, has diverted more than 930 million kilograms of materials from landfills since 2009 and reduced the amount of household waste going to landfills by nearly 50 percent. Proper sorting of materials is critical not only for protecting the environment, but also for the safety of sorting plant workers and the efficiency of the entire recycling system.
Blue container recycling system
General principles for using blue containers
Blue containers are intended for acceptable household paper, cardboard, and packaging materials. All materials for recycling must be empty, clean, and dry before being placed in the blue container. Most items should be placed loosely in the container, with the exception of two categories of materials that must be placed in bags: shredded paper and tied elastic plastic bags.
Containers are collected weekly along with green containers, and all materials must be inside the container — additional bags will not be accepted. If you have additional materials for recycling, they should be saved until the next week or taken to a public recycling center.
Plastic materials for recycling
Acceptable plastic containers include clean plastic containers marked for recycling 1-7. These include milk jugs, yogurt containers, soda bottles, ready-made meal containers, laundry detergent containers, body lotion containers, beverage and juice bottles, antiseptic bottles, shampoo and conditioner bottles.
Tied elastic plastic bags should be collected in a single plastic bag and tied before recycling. Acceptable bags include grocery bags, shopping bags, sandwich bags, zip-top bags, freezer bags, bread bags, dry cleaning bags, plastic film for wrapping toilet paper or paper towels and water boxes, plastic food wrap, bubble wrap.
Important tip: if a plastic bag stretches like a grocery bag, it can be recycled; if it does not stretch, crinkles, or tears like a chip bag or cellophane, it cannot be recycled.
Paper and cardboard
All types of cardboard boxes are accepted, including cereal boxes, pizza boxes, tissue boxes, toilet paper and paper towel rolls, catalogs, magazines, phone books, newspapers, flyers, brochures, letters and envelopes with plastic windows removed, paper cups without lids, postcards, non-metallized gift wrapping paper, paper bags.
Special packaging such as Tetra Pak, milk and juice cartons are also accepted. Shredded paper should be placed in a transparent bag.
Glass
Clean food jars and bottles with lids and caps removed are accepted. Examples: jars for sauces, jams, pickles, bottles of all colors.
Metal materials
Clean food cans, beverage cans, metal lids and caps, clean aluminum foil (crumpled into a ball), aluminum plates and containers are accepted.
Materials that CANNOT be placed in the blue container
- Styrofoam products (even with a recycling symbol) — accepted only at three city landfills as part of a pilot program.
- Plastic items that are not containers — cutlery, straws, lids, tags, etc.
- Hazardous materials — paint, aerosols, batteries, oil.
- Mixed packaging — toothpaste tubes, deodorants, etc.
- Other prohibited items — hard book covers, ceramics, mirrors, tempered glass.
Green container system for composting
General principles of use
Intended for food waste, garden waste, and pet waste. Use compostable or paper bags; plastic bags are prohibited.
Collected weekly (April–October) and every two weeks (November–March). Excess garden waste can be placed in paper bags 0.5 m away from the container.
Food waste
Meat, fruit, vegetables, dairy products, grains, coffee grounds, tea bags, bones, leftovers from plates, used napkins, pizza boxes, coffee filters, wooden sticks.
Garden waste
Grass clippings, branches, weeds, leaves, pine cones, turf, cold ashes from a BBQ or fireplace.
Pet waste
Dog waste, cat litter, bedding, food, fur, and feathers. Everything must be placed in bags.
Other compostable materials
Unprocessed wood includes unfinished lumber, wood chips, or ice cream sticks, toothpicks, and chopsticks.
Black bin system
General principles for using black bins
Black bins are for items that have reached the end of their useful life and do not belong in the blue bin recycling program, green bin composting program, or other waste disposal programs. All items should be placed in tied garbage bags before being placed in the container.
Black containers are collected every two weeks and can hold up to 60 kilograms of materials or four standard garbage bags. If the container is full, you will need to purchase additional garbage bag tags for $3 each.
Used packaging and non-stretch bags
Bags and packaging that cannot be recycled include:
- Chip bags
- Frozen fruit bags
- Muesli wrappers
- Baby food pouches
- Chocolate bar wrappers and candy wrappers
- Plastic wrap from food containers
- Coffee bags
- Meat paper
Disposable diapers and personal hygiene items
Includes:
- All types of wipes (cleaning, makeup, etc.)
- diapers
- tubes of lotion and toothpaste
- dental floss
- cotton swabs (Q-tips)
- feminine hygiene products and applicators
Household items
These include:
- rubber garden hose
- old sponges and scrub pads
- air fresheners (car, Glade plug-ins)
- vacuum cleaner dust (in bags)
- dryer sheets and dryer sheets
- furnace filters
- disposable cleaning pads (Swiffer wipes)
Non-recyclable plastic items
Examples:
- Plastic plates and cutlery
- Drink lids
- Straws and stir sticks
- Bread tags
- Bottle caps and milk caps
- Security seals, ties, and rubber bands
Specialized recycling programs
Calgary Eco-Centres
Located at three city landfills, these centers accept a wide range of materials that are not suitable for regular containers. These include:
- Garden waste for composting
- Blue bin recycling materials
- Scrap metal
- Household items
- Drywall, wood
- Hazardous waste
- bicycles
- Styrofoam packaging
- electronics
Free: car tires, hazardous waste, electronics, clothing, and shoes for reuse. Fee: some construction waste and large items.
Reuse program
In partnership with Goodwill Industries, furniture, household items, and bicycles are given a new life.
Community recycling centers
Available 24/7, as of 2024 — 17 centers and 147 containers.
Northwest: Beacon Hill, Crowfoot, Huntington Hills, Market Mall, North Hill, Tuscany. Southeast: Deerfoot Meadows, Manchester, Shawnessy, South Trail, Southcentre, Walden.
Pollution problems and solutions
Cost of pollution
Almost $1 million/year. Spot check program — 45,000 addresses annually.
Major pollutants
Car batteries, household chemicals, aerosols, etc.
“Wish-cycling”
Placing unsuitable materials in recycling bins in the hope that they will be recycled leads to pollution and increased costs.
Benefits of proper sorting
Environmental
Converting old materials into new products, saving resources, saving landfill space. The blue bin program saves over 1 million trees every year.
Energy
Manufacturing new aluminum cans from used ones requires 95% less energy.
Waste reduction
Household waste has been cut in half. 80% of materials from blue bins are successfully recycled.
Calgary's waste sorting system is one of the most advanced in Canada, ensuring high rates of waste diversion from landfills. Proper understanding of sorting rules is key to its success and to protecting the environment.