Sorting and Baling Recyclables

Have you ever wondered about the journey your recyclables take between the curb and when they are turned into new products? The journey is lived out in a multi-step process where recyclables are sorted, baled, and sold to end markets where they are then recycled into new products.

Sorting

Once your materials are collected at the curb and emptied into our trucks, they are hauled into a receiving facility located in Chemainus. At the facility, contaminants (materials that do not belong in the curbside recycling program) are removed, and the materials are sorted into basic categories such as paper products, household plastic containers, and aluminum food containers.

Baling

After the materials are sorted, they are baled together and sent to a material recovery facility located in the Lower Mainland. At this facility, materials are further sorted and baled into more defined streams before they are sold to the appropriate end market.