RECYCLING
Click the image to download a short pdf guide to help you know which bins your plastics should go into.
South Island Organics fully aligns with Recycle BC’s comprehensive guidelines for residential recycling, with a primary focus on packaging and paper products. We accept a wide range of everyday items, including newspapers, magazines, cardboard, plastic containers, cartons, aluminum, and steel. Glass bottles, glass jars, flexible plastics, and foam packaging are accepted directly at our depot.
To ensure your items are processed smoothly, we encourage visitors to consult Recycle BC’s Waste Wizard or review their detailed materials list prior to drop-off. Please note that certain items—such as hardcover books, wax-coated cardboard, motor oil containers, plastic wrap, and specialized electronics—are not accepted in our standard recycling streams.
Materials Accepted Under Recycle BC
Paper Products
For example: Newspapers, flyers, softcopy books, magazines, telephone books, cardboard, paper bags, and more see Recyclebc.ca for full list of acceptable materials under Paper and Paper Packaging for Dry Goods.
Containers:
Semi – Rigid Plastics
For example: plastic jugs (milk, cooking oil, shampoo bottles, etc), Plastic jars (Peanut butter, etc), plastic containers (margarine, yogurt, etc), plastic packaging, and more – see Recyclebc.ca for full list of acceptable materials under Plastic Containers.
Containers:
Aluminum & Steel
For example: Aluminum non-refundable cans and lids for food, aluminum foil wrap and foil take out containers or food trays – Do not include aerosols with these, for proper aerosol container disposal see Paint products.
Other Flexible Plastics
For example: Zipper lock bags, stand up pouches bags for potato chips, candy bars, packaging for dry pasta, net bags for produce and more, to see full list visit Recyclebc.ca under Other Flexible Plastic Packaging.
Glass Containers
Jars / non – refundable bottles – Must be clean – No lids. For further information visit Recyclebc.ca under Glass Containers.
Foam Packaging
For example: Foam trays, foam egg cartons, foam clamshell cups/take out containers, Styrofoam and more. Items that cannot be accepted: Foam Peanuts, packing chips or noodles, blue or pink insulation, see full list visit Recyclebc.ca under Foam Packaging- Note: All containers must be clean and dry, otherwise it cannot be recycled.
Film Plastics
For example: Overwrap, bags for produce, bread bags, overwrap for mattresses or furniture, and more, to see full list visit Recyclebc.ca under Plastic Bags and Overwrap.
Materials Accepted Under Other Programs
Paint Products
Includes residential paint, paint aerosols, non-paint aerosols, pesticides with DOT#, and more, for full list of accepted materials visit productcare.org or ask Fisher Road Recycling staff for the Product Care pamphlet. Note: Products must be in original container with legible labels.
Batteries
Household batteries includes: single use/Alkaline batteries and rechargeable batteries. See Call2recycle.ca for more information.
Automotive batteries are also accepted.
Light Bulbs
Includes: Compact flourscent lights (CFLs), Floursecnt tubes, UV and germicidial bulbs, Incandescent & halogen bulbs, Light emitting diodes (LEDs), Ultra High Preformance (UHP) bulbs, High-intensity discharge (HIDs) – For more information visit Productcare.org/products/lights.
Tires
For free disposal tires cannot have rims, they can be accepted as this facility with rim but for a fee. Tires from following vehicles are accepted: Car, Light truck, motorcycle and ATV. As well as:
Wheel barrow tires: With rim, no rocks or debris inside, tire liners and inner tubes are ok, may have rim bead severed.
Semi-Truck tires (Highway only) may be accepted: 19.5 Inches or larger, no “P’ or “LT” rating, rim bead must be intact but – side walls and tread surfaces may be cut, no rocks or debris inside.
Agricultural tires can be accepted if R1 or R4
For further information visit tsbc.ca
Used Oil Products
Motor Oil, Oil Filters, Oil Containers, Antifreeze and Antifreeze Containers are accepted under BCUOMA – BC Used Oil Management Association for more information
Yard Waste Drop Off
It Cannot Contain:
- Branches larger than 3″ in diameter
- Invasive species (Giant Hogweed, Knotweed, Poison Hemlock, Daphne/Spurge Laurel, etc. For more information regarding invasive species visit cvrd.bc.ca Yard and Garden)
- Garbage or plastics
- Rocks
- Sod
- Dirt
Cowichan Valley Regional District residents can drop off yard waste for free. Businesses, commercial entities, and haulers are subject to fees.
Other Accepted Materials
Scrap Metal, not including fridges, freezers, watercoolers or other items containing freon
Small household Electronics – Accepted for a fee if not bringing in other chargeable material.
Propane Tanks
The above highlighted items free to dispose of if brought in with other chargeable materials – If brought in on its own, a fee will apply.