Updated November 24, 2008

Can I throw my plastic bags in my Blue Bin?
Grocery and other retail plastic shopping bags can now go into your Blue Bin.

Do I just throw them in?
No. The bags have to be empty; remove any receipts and put all the bags in one bag and then tie closed. Do not use a rubber band or twist tie.

Can all plastic bags go in?
No. At this time only plastic retail and grocery bags can go in.

What type of bags can’t go in?
Bags with drawstrings, hard plastic handles and metal details cannot go in. They can go in, if you cut these items off.

The following bags are also not included:

• Dry cleaning
• Milk (outer and inner)
• Produce
• Bread
• Sandwich
• Plastic food wrap

Why can’t all types of plastic bags go in?
Some plastic bags are not being included at this time because of contamination concerns (e.g., biodegradable outer milk bags, odour from inner milk bags). Plastic retail and grocery bags represent 70% of plastic film and recycling markets for this material are more stable than “all plastic film” markets.

Why are plastic retail and grocery store bags being recycled? Aren’t people re-using them?
It’s best if people reduce the number of plastic bags they are getting by re-using them. If bags cannot be re-used, they can be recycled after December 8, 2008.

How else can I reduce the number of plastic bags?
By refusing them in the first place and using durable reusable bags when shopping.

Can polystyrene items go into the Blue Bin?
Polystyrene is one of the most widely used kinds of plastic and comes in two types: clear/rigid polystyrene and polystyrene foam. Only polystyrene foam can be put in your Blue Bin.

What foam polystyrene items can go in the Blue Bin?

• Foam packaging (hard, white – used for cameras, stereos, etc.)
• Foam cups
• Foam takeout containers
• Foam meat trays
• Foam egg cartons

Do I need to rinse these?
Yes. All food residue needs to be removed.

What about other polystyrene items?
Packing peanuts (popcorn) and pure solid polystyrene, which is a hard plastic with limited flexibility, are not accepted in the Blue Bin Program at this time.

Polystyrene can be transparent or can be made to take on various colours. Solid polystyrene is used in hard (rigid) products such as plates, glass, cutlery, clamshells and clear egg cartons, plastic models, CD and DVD cases. These items are not accepted in the Blue Bin.

What about those clear clamshells used for fruits and vegetables?
No, these are not accepted in the Blue Bin. Please put these in the Grey Garbage Bin.