Articles

  • Hoses and Soil Bags and Pots, Oh My!

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    It’s that time of year again—gardening and yardwork season! If you have plans to get out in the garden over the long weekend and beyond, here are a few tips on how to dispose of yard-related materials:

    • Plastic plant pots and trays: These are recyclable and can go in your curbside recycling cart—please be sure to remove any remaining soil first!
    • Ceramic and clay flowerpots: Try to find someone else to reuse these pots before throwing them away. You could also break them up to use for drainage in another pot! If all else fails, these go in your black garbage cart or to the Transfer Station.
    • Soil bags: Soft plastic, including soil bags, grocery bags, bread bags, etc. can be recycled at Do Your Part. It does NOT go in curbside recycling carts.
    • Garden hoses: Hoses, ropes, and strapping get tangled in conveyor belts at recycling sorting facilities. Please, these do NOT go in curbside recycling carts and should be placed in the black garbage cart or taken to the Transfer Station.
    • BBQ propane/pressurized tanks: These should NEVER go in any curbside cart—pressurized containers can explode when compacted or catch fire. Please take these tanks to ABC Recycling, Allen’s Scrap & Salvage, or the Transfer Station.

    Wondering about something not listed here? Check out Recycle Coach and search for your item—you’ll probably find it there! Find the web version and links to the app for Apple and Android devices on our website.

    recycle@terrace.ca | 250-615-4019

    It’s that time of year again—gardening and yardwork season! If you have plans to get out in the garden over the long weekend and beyond, here are a few tips on how to dispose of yard-related materials:

    • Plastic plant pots and trays: These are recyclable and can go in your curbside recycling cart—please be sure to remove any remaining soil first!
    • Ceramic and clay flowerpots: Try to find someone else to reuse these pots before throwing them away. You could also break them up to use for drainage in another pot! If all else fails, these go in your black garbage cart or to the Transfer Station.
    • Soil bags: Soft plastic, including soil bags, grocery bags, bread bags, etc. can be recycled at Do Your Part. It does NOT go in curbside recycling carts.
    • Garden hoses: Hoses, ropes, and strapping get tangled in conveyor belts at recycling sorting facilities. Please, these do NOT go in curbside recycling carts and should be placed in the black garbage cart or taken to the Transfer Station.
    • BBQ propane/pressurized tanks: These should NEVER go in any curbside cart—pressurized containers can explode when compacted or catch fire. Please take these tanks to ABC Recycling, Allen’s Scrap & Salvage, or the Transfer Station.

    Wondering about something not listed here? Check out Recycle Coach and search for your item—you’ll probably find it there! Find the web version and links to the app for Apple and Android devices on our website.

    recycle@terrace.ca | 250-615-4019

  • Don't Make Us Dread Your Shred

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    How do I recycle shredded paper?

    Great question! First of all, kudos to you for shredding your sensitive documents. It’s a great way to help prevent identity theft. Second of all, recycling shredded paper is easy! Here’s what to do:

    Shred that paper!

    1. Collect your shredded paper in a paper bag (like the kind from the grocery store) or a small box (recycled boxes work great—like a cereal box, or reuse a small box you received in the mail). If you’re putting it in a box, make sure the box is 30" x 30" x 8" or smaller.
    2. Close up your bag or box securely (staples and tape, respectively, work well).
    3. Put your bag or box into your blue cart.
    4. If your blue cart is full, put your bag or box into a transparent plastic bag along with your additional extra recycling and set this next to your cart. (Any extra recycling placed in a bag next to the cart is dumped into your cart after it’s been emptied into the truck, and then it gets emptied into the truck, too.)

    Loose shredded paper will get EVERYWHERE. Please don’t put it loose in your cart, or (if there is one) in the bag beside your cart!

    BONUS: If you have just a little bit of shredded paper, you can also put this in your green organics bin!


    recycle@terrace.ca | 250-615-4019

    How do I recycle shredded paper?

    Great question! First of all, kudos to you for shredding your sensitive documents. It’s a great way to help prevent identity theft. Second of all, recycling shredded paper is easy! Here’s what to do:

    Shred that paper!

    1. Collect your shredded paper in a paper bag (like the kind from the grocery store) or a small box (recycled boxes work great—like a cereal box, or reuse a small box you received in the mail). If you’re putting it in a box, make sure the box is 30" x 30" x 8" or smaller.
    2. Close up your bag or box securely (staples and tape, respectively, work well).
    3. Put your bag or box into your blue cart.
    4. If your blue cart is full, put your bag or box into a transparent plastic bag along with your additional extra recycling and set this next to your cart. (Any extra recycling placed in a bag next to the cart is dumped into your cart after it’s been emptied into the truck, and then it gets emptied into the truck, too.)

    Loose shredded paper will get EVERYWHERE. Please don’t put it loose in your cart, or (if there is one) in the bag beside your cart!

    BONUS: If you have just a little bit of shredded paper, you can also put this in your green organics bin!


    recycle@terrace.ca | 250-615-4019

  • Spring Cleaning? Start Here.

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    Have you been doing some spring cleaning recently? We salute you! However, a common challenge we see in our recycling programs is “wish-cycling.” This is when we put items in our curbside carts that we think *should* be recyclable, when they actually are not—or, at least not in the curbside program. It’s easy to assume that everything will find its way to the correct recycling stream, but that’s not usually the case. Wish-cycling could actually contaminate a whole truckload of recycling. Here are a few tips for properly disposing of some common spring-cleaning items.

    IF YOUR CLOSET IS FIT TO BURST: Textiles are some of the most wasteful items. First of all, please do not put any clothing, blankets, sheets, shoes, etc. in your blue recycling cart as our recycling program does not accept these items. Instead, consider repairing ripped items or repurposing irreparable ones into rags—perfect for dusting and wiping down the rest of your home during your spring cleanup! You can also sell or donate items that just simply aren’t your style anymore. There are tons of buy-and-sell groups in our area for adults and kids. Clothing swaps with friends can be another fun way to refresh your wardrobe (or your kids') without sending the existing contents of your closet to the landfill.

    IF YOUR COFFEE TABLE KICKED THE BUCKET: Furniture, especially wooden furniture, may seem like it can be recycled (it’s made of trees, after all!) but this doesn’t belong in your curbside carts. For instance, we’ve seen whole kitchen chairs in blue carts before, and they just cannot be recycled this way. In fact, bulky, heavy items like furniture shouldn’t be in any curbside cart—black garbage cart included—as they can damage the truck or pose a risk to workers. Please consider selling or donating items that are still in decent condition or find someone who refurbishes furniture for their business or hobby project. Items that are truly beyond hope should go to the Transfer Station in Thornhill.

    IF YOU JUST FOUND AN OLD WALKMAN IN YOUR BASEMENT: Electronic waste, aka e-waste, is a huge problem these days, and many people simply throw things in the garbage when they stop working. But wait! While your old rotary dial phone from the 80s or that Tamagotchi from 1996 can’t be tossed in the curbside recycling cart, it absolutely can be recycled! Whether it’s a broken blender, busted hand-held drill, ancient TV set, or old-school flip-phone, there’s a place to take it: our local Return-It, aka Bottle Depot. Find a full list of acceptable items here—you might be surprised what’s on the list!

    IF YOU JUST DID ONE HECK OF DEEP CLEAN: Our blue recycling cart is the perfect spot for most of your empty cleaning product containers—but please check the label first! We don’t want hazardous materials in our curbside collection program. Paints, solvents, flammable liquids, and similar items that contain warnings like poison, toxic, corrosive, etc, will need to go to Do Your Part Recycling in Thornhill—but if you’re not certain about a product, check in with the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine before disposing of it. Most regular household cleaners won’t fall into this category, though—if the container has a #1 through #7 material-type indicator on it, then it should be accepted in curbside recycling. That includes spray, pump, and pull-up tops. Just remove the lids and/or spray taps and place all parts into your cart separately. There are lots of “greener” ways to clean, too—try baking soda, lemon, white vinegar, and salt to clean up. Check Recycle Coach for tips!

    IF YOU’RE STANDING THERE HOLDING A THING AND DON’T KNOW WHERE TO PUT IT: Just head to Recycle Coach, our handy app/website search tool. It probably has information on the item you’re wondering about. Recycle Coach includes a customized collection calendar for your address, as well as Terrace-specific information about what goes where.


    Happy spring cleaning!

    recycle@terrace.ca | 250-615-4019

    Have you been doing some spring cleaning recently? We salute you! However, a common challenge we see in our recycling programs is “wish-cycling.” This is when we put items in our curbside carts that we think *should* be recyclable, when they actually are not—or, at least not in the curbside program. It’s easy to assume that everything will find its way to the correct recycling stream, but that’s not usually the case. Wish-cycling could actually contaminate a whole truckload of recycling. Here are a few tips for properly disposing of some common spring-cleaning items.

    IF YOUR CLOSET IS FIT TO BURST: Textiles are some of the most wasteful items. First of all, please do not put any clothing, blankets, sheets, shoes, etc. in your blue recycling cart as our recycling program does not accept these items. Instead, consider repairing ripped items or repurposing irreparable ones into rags—perfect for dusting and wiping down the rest of your home during your spring cleanup! You can also sell or donate items that just simply aren’t your style anymore. There are tons of buy-and-sell groups in our area for adults and kids. Clothing swaps with friends can be another fun way to refresh your wardrobe (or your kids') without sending the existing contents of your closet to the landfill.

    IF YOUR COFFEE TABLE KICKED THE BUCKET: Furniture, especially wooden furniture, may seem like it can be recycled (it’s made of trees, after all!) but this doesn’t belong in your curbside carts. For instance, we’ve seen whole kitchen chairs in blue carts before, and they just cannot be recycled this way. In fact, bulky, heavy items like furniture shouldn’t be in any curbside cart—black garbage cart included—as they can damage the truck or pose a risk to workers. Please consider selling or donating items that are still in decent condition or find someone who refurbishes furniture for their business or hobby project. Items that are truly beyond hope should go to the Transfer Station in Thornhill.

    IF YOU JUST FOUND AN OLD WALKMAN IN YOUR BASEMENT: Electronic waste, aka e-waste, is a huge problem these days, and many people simply throw things in the garbage when they stop working. But wait! While your old rotary dial phone from the 80s or that Tamagotchi from 1996 can’t be tossed in the curbside recycling cart, it absolutely can be recycled! Whether it’s a broken blender, busted hand-held drill, ancient TV set, or old-school flip-phone, there’s a place to take it: our local Return-It, aka Bottle Depot. Find a full list of acceptable items here—you might be surprised what’s on the list!

    IF YOU JUST DID ONE HECK OF DEEP CLEAN: Our blue recycling cart is the perfect spot for most of your empty cleaning product containers—but please check the label first! We don’t want hazardous materials in our curbside collection program. Paints, solvents, flammable liquids, and similar items that contain warnings like poison, toxic, corrosive, etc, will need to go to Do Your Part Recycling in Thornhill—but if you’re not certain about a product, check in with the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine before disposing of it. Most regular household cleaners won’t fall into this category, though—if the container has a #1 through #7 material-type indicator on it, then it should be accepted in curbside recycling. That includes spray, pump, and pull-up tops. Just remove the lids and/or spray taps and place all parts into your cart separately. There are lots of “greener” ways to clean, too—try baking soda, lemon, white vinegar, and salt to clean up. Check Recycle Coach for tips!

    IF YOU’RE STANDING THERE HOLDING A THING AND DON’T KNOW WHERE TO PUT IT: Just head to Recycle Coach, our handy app/website search tool. It probably has information on the item you’re wondering about. Recycle Coach includes a customized collection calendar for your address, as well as Terrace-specific information about what goes where.


    Happy spring cleaning!

    recycle@terrace.ca | 250-615-4019

  • Scoop That Poop!

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    Today’s #CurbsideCollectionTip is all about scooped poop! If you make one change this week, it should be to ensure you’re disposing of dog waste (or other pet waste) correctly.


    Step 1: Buy poop bags. There are a range of prices and materials available, including some labelled as “compostable” or “biodegradable.” (If you’re really looking for these qualities, do your research first as not all brands’ marketing claims may be true, depending on what the bags are made of.) But regardless of your bag choice, just take note: it doesn’t matter how you scoop it; animal waste NEVER goes in your green organics bin or yard waste bags.

    Step 2: Scoop poop (with our heartfelt thanks for keeping our streets, parks, and trails free from pet waste). If you can squeeze the air out before you tie the bag, even better. It helps prevent nasty explosions inside our trucks (hope you’re not eating lunch right now).

    Step 3: Dispose of poop bags in your BLACK garbage cart only. You’re done! No muss, no fuss.


    Stay tuned: a future tip will also explore the compostable bags that are acceptable for food waste scraps in your organics cart!

    #OneChangePerWeek #CurbsideCollectionTips

    recycle@terrace.ca | 250-615-4019

    Today’s #CurbsideCollectionTip is all about scooped poop! If you make one change this week, it should be to ensure you’re disposing of dog waste (or other pet waste) correctly.


    Step 1: Buy poop bags. There are a range of prices and materials available, including some labelled as “compostable” or “biodegradable.” (If you’re really looking for these qualities, do your research first as not all brands’ marketing claims may be true, depending on what the bags are made of.) But regardless of your bag choice, just take note: it doesn’t matter how you scoop it; animal waste NEVER goes in your green organics bin or yard waste bags.

    Step 2: Scoop poop (with our heartfelt thanks for keeping our streets, parks, and trails free from pet waste). If you can squeeze the air out before you tie the bag, even better. It helps prevent nasty explosions inside our trucks (hope you’re not eating lunch right now).

    Step 3: Dispose of poop bags in your BLACK garbage cart only. You’re done! No muss, no fuss.


    Stay tuned: a future tip will also explore the compostable bags that are acceptable for food waste scraps in your organics cart!

    #OneChangePerWeek #CurbsideCollectionTips

    recycle@terrace.ca | 250-615-4019

  • Shake Shake Shake!

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    Shake shake shake!

    In most cases, that’s really all it takes to rinse a dirty food container for recycling. Rinse containers as soon as they’re empty, add some warm water and a little soap, put the lid on, and shake it up. Or rinse them out before you dump the water in your sink from washing dishes. You can also fill that last empty spot in your dishwasher with an empty peanut butter jar or to-go container that needs a little more scrubbing power. But no worries, they don’t have to be spotless (as you can see in the video below!). And labels may be left on plastic packaging as they can be removed later during the recycling process.

    Why rinse?

    • First, it’s just more pleasant for everyone. Dirty containers in your cart will smell, attract rodents or bears, and generally get gross between pickup days. Once they get to the depot, dirty containers probably smell that much worse for the workers in these facilities.
    • Second, containers with contents remaining can contaminate other materials in your cart. Think of a coffee cup with a splash of coffee remaining. If that spills onto paper products like the newspapers in your cart, the paper can no longer be recycled.
    • Third, packaging with contents might damage machinery—or the workers operating it—at the processing facilities. Think of aerosol containers, which can explode if improperly handled. And bottles of hair gel that still contain product? Now that’s just a mess! Use or dispose of those contents before adding the container to your cart.

    Just remember to shake shake shake and you’ll make a world of difference for contamination in our recycling system.


    Quick how-to video from Recycle BC:

    More from Recycle BC on rinsing containers here.


    recycling@terrace.ca | 250-615-4019

    #OneChangePerWeek #CurbsideCollectionTip

    Shake shake shake!

    In most cases, that’s really all it takes to rinse a dirty food container for recycling. Rinse containers as soon as they’re empty, add some warm water and a little soap, put the lid on, and shake it up. Or rinse them out before you dump the water in your sink from washing dishes. You can also fill that last empty spot in your dishwasher with an empty peanut butter jar or to-go container that needs a little more scrubbing power. But no worries, they don’t have to be spotless (as you can see in the video below!). And labels may be left on plastic packaging as they can be removed later during the recycling process.

    Why rinse?

    • First, it’s just more pleasant for everyone. Dirty containers in your cart will smell, attract rodents or bears, and generally get gross between pickup days. Once they get to the depot, dirty containers probably smell that much worse for the workers in these facilities.
    • Second, containers with contents remaining can contaminate other materials in your cart. Think of a coffee cup with a splash of coffee remaining. If that spills onto paper products like the newspapers in your cart, the paper can no longer be recycled.
    • Third, packaging with contents might damage machinery—or the workers operating it—at the processing facilities. Think of aerosol containers, which can explode if improperly handled. And bottles of hair gel that still contain product? Now that’s just a mess! Use or dispose of those contents before adding the container to your cart.

    Just remember to shake shake shake and you’ll make a world of difference for contamination in our recycling system.


    Quick how-to video from Recycle BC:

    More from Recycle BC on rinsing containers here.


    recycling@terrace.ca | 250-615-4019

    #OneChangePerWeek #CurbsideCollectionTip

  • Spring Cleaning: Styrofoam

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    As spring approaches, you may be in the mood to freshen up your place with some new purchases. And many items come packed in the infamous mess-maker, Styrofoam. Next to glitter, which clearly tops the chart, Styrofoam must be one of the worst items to clean up around the house. As soon as a block of it gets bumped or dented, those teeny, tiny little particles start breaking loose, getting everywhere and sticking to everything. Thanks, static electricity!

    If you think it’s bad around your house, imagine what it would be like to pick those bits off of plastic containers, newspaper, and other materials in a whole community’s worth of recycling bins! Today’s recycling sorting technology is pretty high-tech, but separating out Styrofoam fragments from other materials in your curbside cart is a tall order. That’s why Styrofoam can’t go in your curbside recycling cart and isn’t part of our curbside collection program.

    Most types CAN be recycled, though, with a little help from you! Your #OneChangePerWeek challenge this week: if you bought something that came in a box with some kind of plastic or foam protection inside, take a minute to sort it to see what goes where!

    Do Your Part Recycling Depot:

    • Styrofoam blocks or containers
    • Bubble wrap
    • Stretchy soft plastic overwrap

    Black cart or Thornhill Transfer Station:

    • Packing peanuts
    • Flexible foam packing material

    For more information about foam, please check https://www.doyourpart.ca/ or contact Do Your Part directly as they are not operated by the City of Terrace

    #OneChangePerWeek #CurbsideCollectionTip

    As spring approaches, you may be in the mood to freshen up your place with some new purchases. And many items come packed in the infamous mess-maker, Styrofoam. Next to glitter, which clearly tops the chart, Styrofoam must be one of the worst items to clean up around the house. As soon as a block of it gets bumped or dented, those teeny, tiny little particles start breaking loose, getting everywhere and sticking to everything. Thanks, static electricity!

    If you think it’s bad around your house, imagine what it would be like to pick those bits off of plastic containers, newspaper, and other materials in a whole community’s worth of recycling bins! Today’s recycling sorting technology is pretty high-tech, but separating out Styrofoam fragments from other materials in your curbside cart is a tall order. That’s why Styrofoam can’t go in your curbside recycling cart and isn’t part of our curbside collection program.

    Most types CAN be recycled, though, with a little help from you! Your #OneChangePerWeek challenge this week: if you bought something that came in a box with some kind of plastic or foam protection inside, take a minute to sort it to see what goes where!

    Do Your Part Recycling Depot:

    • Styrofoam blocks or containers
    • Bubble wrap
    • Stretchy soft plastic overwrap

    Black cart or Thornhill Transfer Station:

    • Packing peanuts
    • Flexible foam packing material

    For more information about foam, please check https://www.doyourpart.ca/ or contact Do Your Part directly as they are not operated by the City of Terrace

    #OneChangePerWeek #CurbsideCollectionTip

  • One Change Per Week: Bag-Free Bins

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    Here’s your weekly Curbside Collection Tip on blue cart etiquette!

    Our blue recycling carts are bag free! All items should be placed loosely in your cart, not in bags in your cart. First, it’s a safety concern as we can’t see what’s in there when we rip them open. Second, soft plastics of all kinds are a disaster when it comes to sorting out recycling later in the process—they get stuck on sorting equipment and snag items together, making it difficult for the machines to identify what’s what. Please keep bags and other soft plastics out of your recycling cart!

    If your cart is full to the brim and you have extra recycling this week, then (and only then!) may you bag it. Please use transparent clear or blue bags for extra recycling and place them next to your cart. Workers will dump your cart, and then dump the contents of the bag(s) into your cart and dump that, too. Empty bags are taken away for separate recycling.

    And if you have soft plastic recycling, remember to take this to Do Your Part, along with Styrofoam and glass (also not permitted in your blue cart).

    #OneChangePerWeek #BagFreeBins #CurbsideCollectionTip

    Here’s your weekly Curbside Collection Tip on blue cart etiquette!

    Our blue recycling carts are bag free! All items should be placed loosely in your cart, not in bags in your cart. First, it’s a safety concern as we can’t see what’s in there when we rip them open. Second, soft plastics of all kinds are a disaster when it comes to sorting out recycling later in the process—they get stuck on sorting equipment and snag items together, making it difficult for the machines to identify what’s what. Please keep bags and other soft plastics out of your recycling cart!

    If your cart is full to the brim and you have extra recycling this week, then (and only then!) may you bag it. Please use transparent clear or blue bags for extra recycling and place them next to your cart. Workers will dump your cart, and then dump the contents of the bag(s) into your cart and dump that, too. Empty bags are taken away for separate recycling.

    And if you have soft plastic recycling, remember to take this to Do Your Part, along with Styrofoam and glass (also not permitted in your blue cart).

    #OneChangePerWeek #BagFreeBins #CurbsideCollectionTip

  • Holiday Challenge #4: Natural Decorations

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    Did you deck the halls with cedar and holly this year? Or did you have a live Christmas tree? Here’s what to do with those natural Christmas decorations once your fa-la-la-ing is over for another year.

    Remove any wire, ribbons, ornaments, or similar from your natural wreaths, garlands, and centrepieces. Now, these items are ready for your green compost cart or backyard compost bin. If there’s glue or glitter, please throw these decorations in the garbage instead.

    Dried-out trees are a fire hazard that should not be left in the home, the garage, or outside the home. If you chose a live Christmas tree this year, make sure to remove lights and every ornament and strand of tinsel, then head to the Christmas Tree Chipping for Charity event, in partnership with the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine:

    Date: January 8, 2022
    Time: 11 am to 3 pm
    Location: 4617 Greig Ave (old Co-Op parking lot beside the George Little House)
    Bring: Please consider bringing a non-perishable food item. Donations will go to local food banks.

    This will be a contact-free, drop-and-go event for safety. Check out our Events Calendar for more information.

    Thanks for doing your part to reduce waste this holiday season.

    recycle@terrace.ca | 250-615-4019

    Did you deck the halls with cedar and holly this year? Or did you have a live Christmas tree? Here’s what to do with those natural Christmas decorations once your fa-la-la-ing is over for another year.

    Remove any wire, ribbons, ornaments, or similar from your natural wreaths, garlands, and centrepieces. Now, these items are ready for your green compost cart or backyard compost bin. If there’s glue or glitter, please throw these decorations in the garbage instead.

    Dried-out trees are a fire hazard that should not be left in the home, the garage, or outside the home. If you chose a live Christmas tree this year, make sure to remove lights and every ornament and strand of tinsel, then head to the Christmas Tree Chipping for Charity event, in partnership with the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine:

    Date: January 8, 2022
    Time: 11 am to 3 pm
    Location: 4617 Greig Ave (old Co-Op parking lot beside the George Little House)
    Bring: Please consider bringing a non-perishable food item. Donations will go to local food banks.

    This will be a contact-free, drop-and-go event for safety. Check out our Events Calendar for more information.

    Thanks for doing your part to reduce waste this holiday season.

    recycle@terrace.ca | 250-615-4019

  • Holiday Challenge #3: Styrofoam

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    There’s a good chance you’re going to give or receive items this holiday season containing Styrofoam packaging. Please remember these items cannot go in your curbside recycling bin. Instead, some can be recycled at the Do Your Part Recycling Depot, and those types that can’t can be put in your black cart—or taken to the transfer station if you’ve done more shopping than you care to admit 😉

    Do Your Part Recycling Depot:

    • Styrofoam blocks or containers
    • Bubble wrap
    • Stretchy soft plastic overwrap

    Black cart or Thornhill Transfer Station:

    • Packing peanuts
    • Flexible foam packing material

    For more information, please contact Do Your Part directly as they are not operated by the City of Terrace.

    Thanks for doing your part to reduce waste this holiday season.

    recycle@terrace.ca | 250-615-4019

    There’s a good chance you’re going to give or receive items this holiday season containing Styrofoam packaging. Please remember these items cannot go in your curbside recycling bin. Instead, some can be recycled at the Do Your Part Recycling Depot, and those types that can’t can be put in your black cart—or taken to the transfer station if you’ve done more shopping than you care to admit 😉

    Do Your Part Recycling Depot:

    • Styrofoam blocks or containers
    • Bubble wrap
    • Stretchy soft plastic overwrap

    Black cart or Thornhill Transfer Station:

    • Packing peanuts
    • Flexible foam packing material

    For more information, please contact Do Your Part directly as they are not operated by the City of Terrace.

    Thanks for doing your part to reduce waste this holiday season.

    recycle@terrace.ca | 250-615-4019

  • Holiday Challenge #2: Gift Wrap

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    Five days till Christmas! If you’re celebrating, have you wrapped your gifts yet? For one small change to try this year, why not aim to reduce waste when packaging up your presents?

    While glitter, foil paper, or bows can add a certain festive flair, this type of décor cannot be recycled. In fact, things like glitter can contaminate other materials because—as you most certainly know—it gets EVERYWHERE. (Even just a little bit on the front of a card seems to find its way into everything, honestly.)

    When wrapping gifts, consider what happens to the packaging afterward. You can help out your recipients by choosing recyclable or reusable materials. With any luck, they’ll do the same for you!


    Here are some great choices for holiday recycling because they can all go in your curbside RECYCLING cart:

    • 100% paper wrapping paper (for an alternative to store-bought patterns, try brown kraft paper or even newspaper!)
    • Tissue paper
    • Paper gift bags (fabric handles, metal grommets, and decorations removed)
    • Paper greeting cards (without glitter, music, or recorded greetings)
    • Paper basket filler from a gift basket

    Plus: natural decorations on top of your gift, like holly, cedar, or pinecones, can go in the compost cart, as long as there aren’t contaminants like glitter or ribbon on them. You can also try making your packaging part of the gift by wrapping gifts in other gifts, like a Christmas tea towel or scarf.

    Here are some items you can recycle elsewhere:

    • Holiday string lights (see last Monday’s post for more on this topic)
    • Some types of foam packaging (more about foam later this week)
    • Batteries (Do Your Part Recycling, City Hall, Staples, and many other locations around town accept batteries; check our website for a full list)

    Here are items you will have to reuse if possible or throw in your curbside GARBAGE cart:

    • Foil or plastic wrapping paper
    • Ribbons and bows
    • Foil gift bags or bags with non-paper decorations
    • Rope handles and grommets from all gift bags
    • Glittery cards or battery-powered cards that play music or recorded greetings
    • Cellophane wrap for gift baskets and the gift baskets themselves

    Hot tip: Don’t write on gift bags or gift bag tags so that your recipient can reuse the gift bag next year.

    Thanks for doing your part to reduce waste this holiday season.

    recycle@terrace.ca | 250-615-4019

    Five days till Christmas! If you’re celebrating, have you wrapped your gifts yet? For one small change to try this year, why not aim to reduce waste when packaging up your presents?

    While glitter, foil paper, or bows can add a certain festive flair, this type of décor cannot be recycled. In fact, things like glitter can contaminate other materials because—as you most certainly know—it gets EVERYWHERE. (Even just a little bit on the front of a card seems to find its way into everything, honestly.)

    When wrapping gifts, consider what happens to the packaging afterward. You can help out your recipients by choosing recyclable or reusable materials. With any luck, they’ll do the same for you!


    Here are some great choices for holiday recycling because they can all go in your curbside RECYCLING cart:

    • 100% paper wrapping paper (for an alternative to store-bought patterns, try brown kraft paper or even newspaper!)
    • Tissue paper
    • Paper gift bags (fabric handles, metal grommets, and decorations removed)
    • Paper greeting cards (without glitter, music, or recorded greetings)
    • Paper basket filler from a gift basket

    Plus: natural decorations on top of your gift, like holly, cedar, or pinecones, can go in the compost cart, as long as there aren’t contaminants like glitter or ribbon on them. You can also try making your packaging part of the gift by wrapping gifts in other gifts, like a Christmas tea towel or scarf.

    Here are some items you can recycle elsewhere:

    • Holiday string lights (see last Monday’s post for more on this topic)
    • Some types of foam packaging (more about foam later this week)
    • Batteries (Do Your Part Recycling, City Hall, Staples, and many other locations around town accept batteries; check our website for a full list)

    Here are items you will have to reuse if possible or throw in your curbside GARBAGE cart:

    • Foil or plastic wrapping paper
    • Ribbons and bows
    • Foil gift bags or bags with non-paper decorations
    • Rope handles and grommets from all gift bags
    • Glittery cards or battery-powered cards that play music or recorded greetings
    • Cellophane wrap for gift baskets and the gift baskets themselves

    Hot tip: Don’t write on gift bags or gift bag tags so that your recipient can reuse the gift bag next year.

    Thanks for doing your part to reduce waste this holiday season.

    recycle@terrace.ca | 250-615-4019