Curbside Recycling Program
The City of Prince Rupert began its curbside recycling pickup service to residents in January of 2022.
Details of the program and answers to common questions are included below. Don’t see what you’re looking for below? Email recycling@princerupert.ca and a City staff member will respond as quickly as they’re able and update this page as needed to keep all information accurate and up-to-date.
For pick up schedules, go to:http://www.princerupert.ca/services/garbage_recycling
For additional detail on what can/cannot be recycled download our brochure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who receives the new recycling pickup service?
All residential addresses that currently receive solid waste pickup service from the City of Prince Rupert will be served by the new curbside recycling program. Multi-family dwellings served by private waste collection contractors will not be receiving this service from the City.
When did curbside pickup for recyclables begin?
All eligible households began receiving curbside service the week of January 1st, 2022. The collection service collects both your garbage and recycling waste on your assigned collection day. Please note that in 2022, the collection areas and schedule have changed. You can see the updated area map and schedule at www.princerupert.ca/services/garbage_recycling.
Which collection area am I in?
If you’re unsure which of the new collection areas you’re in, you can look at a more detailed interactive map by visiting www.princerupert.ca/maps. If you’re still not certain after looking at this map, you can call the City Hall front desk to have a clerk assist you, at 250-627-1781.
What kinds of materials are collected?
The City’s curbside recycling program collects all paper, metal, and rigid plastic consumer print and packaging materials. This includes newspapers, magazines, cardboard boxes, and cartons, as well as aluminum, tin, steel, and hard plastic containers. A visual guide to the included materials and the most common excluded materials is included below.
Soft plastics (like plastic bags and overwrap material) glass, Styrofoam and hazardous materials (such as propane canisters, batteries, paint, or biological waste) will not be collected. Many of these excluded materials will continue to be accepted at the North Coast Regional District Recycling Depot. Please check https://www.ncrdbc.com/services/waste/recycling to see what materials can be accepted directly at the depot outside of the curbside pickup program.
Not sure what goes where? The City has partnered with Recycle Coach to offer residents access to their helpful schedule and sorting tools. Look at your individual collection schedule, set reminders for your pickups, or use the "What Goes Where" tool by clicking on the link to the right.
Do I need to provide my own recycling bin?
No. The City has provided new recycling and garbage bins to every household receiving solid waste pickup services. These bins are sturdy upright wheeled bins with hinged lids. The recycling bins being provided have 240L of capacity while the garbage bins have a 120L capacity.
What do I do if I have not received or have lost my bins?
If you believe you are entitled to receive bins from the City but have not received them, contact recycling@princerupert.ca to request that your bins be delivered. Please provide your name, telephone number and home address, and if you are eligible for curbside collection service, City staff will make arrangements with you to deliver a new set of bins to your address.
Please be aware that it is the responsibility of property owners to keep their bins safe and secure to the best of their ability. Bins that are lost or damaged due to negligence or intention on the part of a property owner or their tenant may result in the charging of a replacement fee.
What if I have more garbage than can fit in my garbage bin?
Beginning January 1st, the City will only be collecting garbage that is placed within the City-provided bin. If you need more capacity for your weekly garbage, you can request a larger bin be provided to you for a one-time exchange fee and an increase to your annual utility bill.
Can I get a larger bin for my garbage?
The City has heard that some residents would like additional capacity in their garbage bins, and is making arrangements to have larger bins provided to those who request them. Residents who would like to request a larger bin should understand that there is a one-time exchange fee of $10 and an additional $100 annual charge for the increased solid waste service, which will be charged to your annual utility bill.
Before requesting a larger bin and incurring the associated fees, we recommend that you try to recycle! Reducing your waste going to landfill is not only good for the environment, but extends the life of the City’s landfill, which lowers the costs incurred by all local taxpayers.
Still certain you want to request a larger bin?
What kind of garbage bags can I use for my garbage?
You can use any size of bag to contain your garbage, provided it is placed in the City-provided bin. If you have requested a larger bin but have not yet received it, please put any additional garbage that can't be contained in your City-provided bin in standard sized black garbage bags, as they will need to be collected manually by the City's collectors.
What are the dimensions of the city-provided bins?
The 240L bins are 43 ¼” (109.9cm) tall, 24 ½” (62.2cm) wide, and 27 ½” (69.9cm) deep, while the 120L bins are 37 5/8” (95.5cm) tall, 19 1/8” (48.6cm) wide, and 21 1/16” (53.5cm) deep.
Do I need to sort my recyclables into separate bins?
No. The City is providing single-stream collection at this time, meaning all of your eligible recyclable material can be placed in the same recycling bin. However residents should make sure to only include eligible materials in their recycling bin, and be careful not to include common contaminants such as Styrofoam, glass, food waste, or plastic bags.
Do I need any special bags for my recyclable materials?
No. In fact, no bags will be accepted as part of curbside recyclable pickup. All recyclable material will need to be placed loose in the bin to allow for the easy removal of any ineligible or contaminated materials by City collectors.
Will the City be collecting yard waste?
Not at this time. The curbside collection program beginning in January 2022 will deal only with paper, metal and plastic print and packaging material as described above.
Can I continue to use my existing garbage bin?
Garbage will only be collected if placed within a City-provided bin. Customers who have requested a larger bin but not yet received it by their collection date may place one garbage bin for collection in addition to their City-provided bin.
All garbage will need to be contained within a bin to be collected. Loose garbage bags will not be collected, and may incur fines for property owners who place waste in this way on a repeated basis.
Who should I contact if I have any other questions?
If you have any other questions or comments about the program, please direct them to recycling@princerupert.ca.