Recycle BC Expands Curbside Pickup in RDCO Starting May 2026
On April 14, Recycle BC announced it will assume responsibility for curbside recycling collection in RDCO communities: including Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country, Peachland, and Electoral Areas East and West starting May 1, 2026.
To amplify the event’s reach, SOMA PR coordinated event setup, managed on-site media relations, supported speechwriting, and led post-event media outreach.
As part of the transition, two new containers will be introduced: a pink bin for flexible plastics and a grey bin for glass. Placed directly at the curb, these additions are designed to make recycling more convenient for residents and eliminate the need for trips to local depots.
The rollout will be supported by Environmental 360 Solutions’ fleet of seven trucks equipped with three separate compartments, allowing materials to remain sorted during collection.
“Currently, we’re only recovering about 24 per cent of flexible plastics supplied by producers, which highlights a clear opportunity for improvement,” said Recycle BC Executive Director Sam Baker. “This updated system reflects a shared responsibility model, shifting the management of paper and plastic recycling from municipalities and taxpayers to producers,” added RDCO Chair and Kelowna City Councillor Loyal Wooldridge.
What goes where?
Pink bins (Flexible plastics):
This includes soft, easily compressible plastics such as shopping bags, bread and chip bags, resealable bags (ex. Ziplock), netting, and protective packaging like bubble wrap. Residents are encouraged to place these materials inside a single larger bag before putting them in the bin to prevent items from scattering.
Grey bins (Glass):
Accepted items include glass bottles and jars used for food and beverages. Lids should be removed, and containers should be rinsed before recycling.
While the program makes it easier for households with curbside collection to recycle these materials, it does not currently extend to apartment or multi-family buildings.
Media Coverage:
