If you live in an apartment or condo, your recycling works differently from a house with curbside boxes. Instead of a blue box on the curb, there is usually a shared recycling room or area, and your building's service provider collects from there. This guide covers how that works, what the sorting rules look like, and where to take the things the building cannot.
This guide is for residents. If you sit on a strata council and want to arrange service, there is a section at the end that points to the official request process.
Who runs recycling in an apartment or condo
Recycle BC is a non profit funded by businesses that supply packaging and paper. Its Vancouver Apartments and Condos page says Recycle BC manages the program and works with a collection provider to collect material from your building. It says your local government no longer provides multi family collection of residential packaging and paper.
The page also answers the cost question. You do not pay for multi family recycling collection, because businesses that supply packaging and paper to BC residents fund the program under the BC Recycling Regulation. A replacement cart is different. For multi family buildings, the page says you do pay for a replacement cart and should contact your designated service provider.
For Vancouver apartments and condos, the page says that as of February 16, 2026 Recycle BC moved to two collection contractors, Recycling Alternative in service area 1 (Downtown and False Creek) and Emterra Environmental in service area 2. It also says flexible plastics can now be recycled in your building using a new pink cart. Other cities may have different providers, so check your own city's page or Recycle BC's.
What to recycle and how
Recycle BC's page covers sorting. Its tips include:
- Do not toss shredded paper. Put it inside a paper bag or box before it goes in the cart.
- Keep it clean. Empty and rinse containers. That prevents contamination, helps more material get recycled and avoids attracting wildlife when material is set out.
- Flatten and cut cardboard. If cardboard is too large for the bag, flatten it and cut it down to 30 inches by 30 inches (76 cm by 76 cm) or smaller. Keep plastic wrap out of recycling.
The page also explains why glass is separated. Glass containers should be kept apart from other recyclables because they break easily during collection, and broken glass mixed with paper and other containers makes those materials harder to recycle. It also asks you to take deposit containers to a depot for a refund.
Recycle BC says flexible plastics, foam packaging such as Styrofoam, and non deposit glass in communities without separated curbside glass collection can only be returned to a depot. For a full accepted list, see Recycle BC's page for your building, and use its app to look up items.
Things that do not belong in the building's recycling
The building's recycling is for packaging and paper. It is not for batteries, electronics, light bulbs, paint, propane or bulky items. Those need a depot or a special program. For Vancouver residents, the Vancouver Zero Waste Centre at 8588 Yukon Street takes many of them, as does Metro Vancouver's network of recycling and waste centres. Check each site's own page for what it takes.
Garbage is separate too. Recycle BC says its program does not affect garbage collection.
Bulky items and moving out
Furniture, mattresses and large household items are the usual problem for apartment and condo residents. Do not leave them in the recycling room or in a lane. That can count as illegal dumping. Call the building manager first, ask how your building handles bulky items, and check your strata bylaws.
For a move out or a big cleanout, a bin can help. Condo and strata bins are usually arranged through the strata or building manager, so check with them first. Our condo bin placement guide and strata cleanup day post cover how that works.
Delivery and haul away are on us. You load the bin. The usual starting point for junk, cleanouts and renos is the 20-yard. A 15-yard junk bin is at times available, but it is commonly sold out. Plan on the 20-yard. Ask when you book about other smaller sizes. If the job looks larger when you call, we may suggest a larger bin. More is on the 20-yard bin page.
Your driveway or yard is private property, so a bin there takes no permit. A street, boulevard or lane spot is different, since some cities need a permit for it. Confirm with your City before you book. Check any strata or HOA rules as well, since they can still apply. If yours does, apply to the City for the permit, and we will line delivery up with any permit dates.
Leave paint, propane, tires, fuel and electronics out of the bin. They never go in a Trash King bin. Our what not to put in a bin page lists the rest.
Mattresses and box springs are an add on with an extra fee, so mention them when you book.
If you are on the strata council
Recycle BC lists requirements for its apartments and condos service. The property must be residential with more than 5 residential units, must have a centralized waste collection room, shed or space in the alley to store carts, and must agree to be serviced by the contracted collector and provide access to carts for weekly collection. Institutional and commercial properties are not eligible. Requests must be made by building or property managers, strata council members or other authorized individuals who represent the whole property. The page lists the contact details for service requests. Check the page for the current process.
If carts are stored where the collector cannot reasonably reach them, the page says carts must be moved to an accessible place on collection day, either by staff or residents or by a third party pull out service the property pays for directly.
A resident checklist
- Learn the sorting rules for your building.
- Rinse containers.
- Bag shredded paper.
- Flatten and cut cardboard.
- Keep glass separate if your building asks.
- Take electronics, batteries and bulbs to a depot.
- Ask the building manager about bulky items.
FAQ
Who collects recycling in my building? It depends on your city and building. In Vancouver, Recycle BC lists Recycling Alternative and Emterra Environmental as contractors for different service areas.
Do I pay for recycling collection? Recycle BC says no, but you pay for a replacement cart.
Can I recycle batteries in the building's recycling room? No. Take batteries to a depot or program.
Where do I take bulky items? Ask your building manager first. Facilities and a bin are the other options.
Can I order a bin for my condo? Ask your strata or building manager first. See our condo bin placement guide.