Blue Cart - Preparing your recyclables

Calgarians are recycling more than ever! Another way to help us recycle even more is to remember to put your recyclables loose in your blue cart or community recycling depot. Don't bag them.

Only plastics bags should be bundled together in one bag and shredded paper placed inside a clear plastic bag.

Why do recyclables need to be loose inside the bins?

Recyclables go to a recycling sorting facility in Calgary where they are separated both by hand and with modern equipment. Recyclables need to be loose so the sorting equipment can properly separate the plastic containers, paper, food cans and glass from each other.

For the safety of workers and to avoid contaminating other recyclables, anything in a garbage bag is considered garbage and goes straight to the landfill.

Take a behind the scenes look at the recycling facility in our how recycling works video.

More recycling tips

• Only put acceptable recyclables in the cart.
  View a list of items that are accepted in the blue cart.
  
  View a list of items that are
  not accepted in the blue cart.

• Don't bag your recyclables.  The only items that should be bagged are plastic bags and shredded paper.

• Bundle plastic bags into one plastic bag and tie closed.
• Place shredded paper in a clear plastic bag and tie closed.
  
• If you wash dishes by hand, use the dirty dish water to clean off food residue from your recyclables.
  
• It's okay to leave labels on food cans, bottles, and food containers.
  
• Remove lids and caps.
  
• Place metal food can lids inside the can or leave attached.
  
• Remove plastic wrapping and elastics from magazines, catalogues and newspapers.
  
• ​Break down larger boxes to make extra room in your cart.  You can also hang on to extra recyclables for next week's collection or bring it to a nearby Community Recycling Depot. 
  
• Ensure your cart is properly placed when set out for collection.

You can learn more about preparing your recyclables in our recycle smart video.