Green Ideas – “What the heck goes where??”

Your guide to recycling in New Brunswick

Just over a year ago, the list of what can be recycled in New Brunswick got much longer – a good thing.  But you could be forgiven if you didn’t hear about it or are still scratching your head about what is recyclable and how do you go about recycling it.  

So here are three basic guidelines for recycling in NB (with apologies to non-New Brunswick subscribers), and a few waste reduction guidelines for all of us.

Recycling in NB:

Guideline 1: Your previous recycling program did not change.  So you can still recycle everything you were previously able to recycle in the same way you did it (for most of us, that would be paper, cardboard, metals and some plastics via curbside boxes or bins). 

Unfortunately, local recycling programs differ depending on where you live in the province. However, you can find specifics for your area at the website of your Regional Service Commission; here’s a directory.

Guideline 2: GREAT NEWS: glass, white Styrofoam and most types of flexible plastic packaging are now recyclable everywhere in NB.  Click here to see pictures of the extensive list of what’s now recyclable (and it’s nice to see that MANY types of plastic packaging, from plastic film on meat to deli meat packaging to stand up pouches to chip bags, are now recyclable).

The only downside: these newly-recyclable items can’t be placed in your usual recycle bins; they need to be taken to your local Redemption Center (AKA bottle exchange).  Click here to find the one nearest you.

Guideline 3: Procedures for recycling beverage containers, paint, electronics, tires, oil, glycol (anti-freeze) and pharmaceuticals haven’t changed.  Some can be taken to points of purchase; others to Redemption Centers; others to your local solid waste facilities.  Directions for each can be found on the Where to Recycle tab of Recycle NB’s website. 

Batteries are also recyclable; you can find a drop-off location here. 

A few waste reduction guidelines for us all:

1. REDUCE, the first of the three Rs, is also the most important by far.  Strategies for reducing trash include using your own bags and containers as much as possible when you shop; avoiding heavily packaged products; using refillable containers in lunchboxes; keeping a few sets of cutlery and some containers for leftovers in the trunk of your car so you can avoid single-use plastic when you eat out; and refusing products like bottled water.

2. Compost organic materials to keep them out of the trash.  (The decomposition of organic materials in landfills releases methane, which is an even worse greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.)  Here’s a simple guide (PDF); and a website with great info.  If you don’t have a place to compost, you can probably find a neighbour or friend who gardens and would love to have your organics.

3. Strive to learn about what’s recyclable in your area, and then make a commitment to recycle everything you can, every time.  It can be a bit grueling, as the above info demonstrates, but a cleaner world is worth the effort.

4. Be a waste reduction champion in your workplace, school, faith community… anywhere people gather and waste is generated.  Get the support of leaders, find a few like-minded helpers and make good things happen!

Happy – and hopefully CLEARER – recycling!!