Tools and Resources

Tools and Resources

With the large variety of high rises, townhouses, low rises and other multi-unit residential buildings in the region, there is no single solution or recommendation to plan and establish a food scraps recycling program.

Municipal Garbage Collection

If you live in an apartment, condo or a townhouse with municipal garbage collection, your city may also offer food scraps recycling. Ask your building manager or strata to contact your municipality to discuss your property's eligibility for your city’s green bin program.

Private Garbage Collection

If you live in an apartment, condo or townhouse with private garbage collection, ask your building manager or strata to contact your garbage hauler to discuss adding food scraps collection to the building’s garbage collection contract. There are many private haulers who will provide this service. The Recycling Council of BC maintains a list. Call 604-RECYCLE (732-9253).

Tools and Resources

Resources for building managers, property managers & stratas

How-To Guide For Apartments and Condos
Use this booklet as a step by step instruction guide as you plan a new food scraps recycling program for your building.
How-To Guide For Apartments and Condos - Chinese language version
Use this booklet as a step by step instruction guide as you plan a new food scraps recycling program for your building (Chinese language version)
Food Scraps Recycling Room Poster
Print and laminate this poster and tape to recycling bins or to the wall above recycling bins. Check with your hauler to ensure that the items listed on this poster match the items accepted/not accepted in your specific program.
Green bin tips
Tips for Green Bin maintenance, to help you keep pests and odour to a minimum.
Letter template to introduce a new food scraps recycling program
A letter you can adapt for your residents and post in common areas.
How many green bins does your building need?
Use this guide to estimate how many Green Bins your building may require. Number of bins may need to be adjusted over time to meet your building’s needs. Discuss with your collection service provider.
Green Bins needed for non-residential buildings
Use this guide to estimate how many Green Bins are needed for an office building, restaurant, food retail space, or large venue.
No plastic bags - Signage
“No plastic bags” icons. Print, laminate and tape these reminders onto lids or walls, or print them as a sticker.
Lobby Event Poster
Planning a lobby event or info session on food scraps recycling? Use this poster to advertise.
Poster to promote a new food scraps recycling program
Post on hallway or elevator information boards, or other common areas.

Standard colours and icons for recycling

Consistent use of recycling colours and icons increases recycling rates. Find the region-wide recommendations here.

Multi-Family Recycling Toolkit

A resource to help building owners and motivated residents improve recycling within their complexes.

Resources for Property Managers to Distribute to Residents

Food Scraps Recycling Introductory Brochure for residents
Print and fold this brochure to distribute to your residents prior to launching a new program. Check with your hauler to ensure that the information supports the program you have in your building.
Food Scraps Recycling Introductory brochure for residents - Chinese Language Version

Stickers for kitchen containers

A reminder of what’s in and what’s out for your residents’ kitchen containers. Print as stickers, or laminate and post.

Video: how to line a kitchen container – Demonstrates how to line a kitchen container with newsprint.

Brochure on worm composting
Residents in apartments have successfully composted food scraps using an apartment-sized worm bin. Contact City Farmer for tips, ideas, information and workshops. http://www.cityfarmer.info/wormcomposting/

Related Links

Recycling Signage and Colours