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1. Where can I get my recycling or garbage pick-up schedule?

Find your curbside collection schedule here. You can also access and download your schedule to your calendar through our Cowichan Recycles App available in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

2. Why wasn't my recycling collected?

1. If your tote is not collected on your scheduled pickup day, please revisit the tips for a successful pickup to ensure that you are correctly placing your materials at the curb. The most common issues are:

        a. Incorrect spacing. Please space totes 1m apart from other totes and surrounding objects such as cars, telephone poles, and utility boxes.

        b. An overfilled tote. Totes cannot be collected correctly if they are overfilled or have materials placed on their lids, which fall out and litter the roadway when tipped.

        c. Totes facing the wrong direction. These totes can be rejected as they pose a safety concern when contents are tipped into the collection truck 

   Have a yellow "oops" or red "we left" sticker on your collection tote? The CVRD reserves the right to refuse the collection of any materials that do not belong in the curbside recycling program. Call the Recycling Hotline at 250.746.2540 or 1.800.665.3955 for more information.
   
   For up-to-date information about missed collections due to mechanical failures or weather-related disruptions, subscribe to CVRD newsflashes (sign up here), download the Cowichan Recycles app or visit the CVRD Facebook page.

3. What belongs in my curbside recycling tote?

Clean household packaging and paper products. This includes:

• Paper, paper packaging, paper cups, cardboard 
• Plastic containers, bottles, and cartons
• Metal food containers/cans, non-hazardous aerosols and foil

4. Why can’t I put glass in my recycling tote?

When glass (bottles, jars, refundable beverage containers) is placed in curbside totes, it breaks into unrecoverable pieces which contaminates the recyclables and can create potential health and safety issues at the sorting facility. Please take glass to a Recycling Centre to be properly handled and recycled.

5. Why can’t I put styrofoam in my recycling tote?

When styrofoam (foam meat trays, takeout containers, foam packaging) is placed in curbside totes, these materials break into unrecoverable pieces which contaminate the load. Please take styrofoam to a Recycling Centre to be properly handled and recycled.

6. Why can’t I put plastic bags and plastic wrappers in my recycling tote?

Film plastic material (plastic bags, plastic wrap, bubble wrap) and snack wrappers (potato chip bags, cookie bags) are not accepted in the curbside recycling program. These materials get tangled in sorting equipment requiring lengthy shut-downs and expensive delays. Plastic bags also tangle other materials making it difficult to separate and sort recyclables. Please take plastic bags and wrappers to a Recycling Centre to be properly handled and recycled.

7. Can I get a different tote?

If you are wanting a different tote, please fill out the tote exchange form.

8. Can I opt out of the program?

All eligible residents are required by bylaw to participate in the curbside pick-up program and cannot opt out. This ensures that costs per household are kept as low as possible and encourages broad participation. Only those with Farm Status on their property may request an exemption from the program. Call the Recycling Hotline at (250) 746-2540 or email curbside@cvrd.bc.ca to request an exemption (must be able to supply Notice of Assessment showing active farm status).

9. How is the curbside pick-up program funded?

No taxes are used to fund the program. The program is paid for by user fees.

10. I just moved in. How do I get my recycling and garbage collected?

Curbside totes are the property CVRD and should remain at their assigned address. If you are moving into an existing single-family home in an Electoral Area, you will already be included in the pick-up program and totes should have been left at your property by the previous owner. If there are no totes at your address, you can order one here. Please call the Recycling Hotline (250.746.2540) if you have any questions.

11. I just built a house. How do I get included in the collection pickup?

If you've built a new house in an Electoral Area, you will automatically be eligible for the curbside collection program. New totes will be sent to your home about 2 months after your final inspection is completed. 

You will receive a standard 240L blue tote for recycling. If you live in Electoral areas D, E, F, G, or I, you will also receive a 140L black tote for garbage. Different tote sizes can be requested in advance by filling out this form, calling the Recycling Hotline at (250) 746-2540 or emailing curbside@cvrd.bc.ca. Annual billing will begin upon substantial completion of your final inspection.