Regional district adds ‘flexible plastic packaging’ to recycling program

KAMLOOPS – Thompson-Nicola Regional District Eco-Depots and transfer stations have a new category of recycling.

'Other Flexible Plastic Packaging' includes items such as stand-up pouches, crinkly chip bags, and net bags for produce, according to a regional district media release.

But don't leave it out on your curb. This material is accepted at depots only, not curbside or multi-family recycling. 

These plastics are some of the fastest growing types on the market and the largest category that was previously not collected, the regional district says.

The regional district wants to see residents reduce the waste in their garbage bags to achieve greater diversion and waste reduction targets.

Some of the newly accepted plastics include:

• Crinkly Wrappers and Bags (i.e. chip bags, pasta bags, cereal bags, coffee bags, snack and granola bar wrappers;
• Zipper Lock and Standup Pouches (i.e. flexible soap refills, frozen fruit and vegetable bags, zippered produce bags);
• Non-food Protective packaging (i.e. bubble wrap, bubble mailers);
• Flexible packaging with plastic seal (i.e. pre-sliced meat and cheese packages); and
• Woven Plastic bags (i.e onion and avocado bags).

Go here for a full list.

READ MORE: How this Kamloops couple is going zero waste

To contact a reporter for this story, email Shelby Thevenot or call (250) 819-6089 or email the editor You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won’t censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.