‘Life in plastic, it’s fantastic’: Vancouver’s new pink bins make recycling absolutely adorable

You may have noticed that shiny, new recycling bins have been popping up across the city—and they’re pink!

This is because Recycle BC has transitioned to two new contractors for Vancouver apartments and condos recycling services: Recycling Alternative and Emterra Environmental. Over the month of February, they’ve been rolling out adorable pink bins that not only give recycling a little pizzazz, but also make the process more convenient and efficient.

Which materials can be recycled in the new pink bins?

Recycle BC explains that, unlike their bin predecessors, the new pink bins accept flexible plastics, including plastic bags, overwrap, crinkly wrappers, bubble wrap, zip-lock bags, flexible plastic containers, and any packaging with a plastic seal. This saves all of these items from being tossed in the trash.

“Collecting flexible plastics in its own segregated cart helps improve recyclability by keeping them separate from other recyclables like glass, paper, and rigid containers,” Recycle BC explains. “Starting the week of Feb. 16, residents of Vancouver apartments and condos can recycle flexible plastics right in their building’s pink recycling cart — no more depot drop-offs required.”

There are a few notable items that residents should not recycle in their pink bins. This includes garbage bags, cellophane (e.g. tea bag packaging, floral arrangements, gift baskets, etc.), plastic squeeze tubes, vinyl, and plastic-lined paper.

Note that any biodegradable, compostable, or Oxo-degradable plastics should not be placed in these bins either.

Plenty of Vancouver residents noticed the change of bins and took to social media to share their excitement.

“They’re so beautiful, I can hardly contain myself,” writes one Reddit user.

“This is awesome. I hate putting flexible plastic in the trash, knowing it can be recycled,” writes another.

“It’s Barbie pink. For flexible plastics. Brilliant.”

Flexible plastic collections officially started last week, and yes, even the curb sorters that collect your recycling are pink!

@thatclarissalike love her!♬ Barbie Fairytopia/Mermaidia Themes – Sarah Frances

While flexible plastics have long been accepted (and will continue to be) at dedicated depots and London Drugs locations, the new bins make it way easier for Vancouver apartment and condo residents.

Where do recyclables go after they’re collected?

After materials are collected from houses, apartments, and condos, and recycling depots, they are brought to one of over 40 receiving facilities across the province. After that, Recycle BC works with its post-collection partner, GFL Environmental, to transport the sorted materials to a material recovery facility. In Vancouver, there are two such facilities: the Richmond Material Recovery Facility and the New Westminster Material Recovery Facility.

From there, recycled materials are sorted into multiple types of each category, such as multiple grades of paper, containers, or plastics. They are then “baled” and prepared for sale to end markets.

In B.C., there are local end markets for plastic and glass, while metal and a significant amount of paper stay in Canada and North America.

Recycle BC says that its source-separated and depot-only materials ensure that collected recyclables get repurposed “as close to home as possible.” 

In 2024, the not-for-profit organization sent 80 per cent of its collected materials to North American end markets. Currently, Recycle BC serves over two million households, or over 99 per cent of the province, via curbside, multi-family, and depot collections.

With plans to roll out pink bins in the Central Okanagan starting May 1, 2026, it looks like B.C. is in for a total recycling revamp when it comes to flexible plastics.

Unsure if a couple of items are recyclable? You can review Recycle BC’s comprehensive list of what’s accepted and what’s not on your way down to your building’s recycling area, or search for materials directly through their “Waste Wizard.”

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Isabelle Vauclair

Staff Writer, Vancouver – Isabelle is a West Coast native with an appreciation for Vancouver’s natural landscape, patio scene, and community spaces. She loves to discover new hidden gems in her neighbourhood and share them with readers across the city.

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