Recycling - What Does it Become?

Find out what happens to materials collected through:

Hover over each recyclable item to see how it can be used.

Material collected through Blue Bags, Blue Bins and Recycling Depots

CARDBOARD: recycled into cardboard, boxboard and fibre insulation
NEWSPAPER: recycled into newspaper, boxboard and egg cartons
PLASTIC CONTAINERS: recycled into plastic containers, automotive plastics, fleece clothing and carpet
PLASTIC BAGS: recycled into plastic lumber, plastic bags, drainage pipe and other plastic products
PLASTIC MILK JUGS: recycled into plastic sheeting, plastic containers and plastic lumber
METAL CANS: recycled into metal cans, rebar, tractor/grader blades and other metal products
MILK CARTONS AND JUICE BOXES: returned to bottle depots for revenue and recycling
MIXED PAPER: recycled into boxboard, egg cartons, newspaper
RETURNABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS: returned to bottle depots for revenue and recycling

AEROSOL CANS: plastic lids, nozzles and metal cans are recycled into new products
ANTIFREEZE (GLYCOL): recycled into low-grade glycol
WET CELL BATTERIES: acid recycled into Styrofoam, plastic cases are melted to make new cases, lead plates are melted down to make new plates
COMPUTER COMPONENTS: glass, copper, ferrous metal, gold, silver, platinum, lead and plastics are recycled
DRY CELL BATTERIES: metal is recycled (78%) into new products
FLUORESCENT TUBES: aluminum tips and glass recycled
GASOLINE: used as a fuel blend for incinerators at Swan Hills Special Waste Treatment Facility
APPLIANCES AND SCRAP METAL: recycled into new metal products
PLASTIC OIL CONTAINERS: residual oil is recycled, and plastic is recycled into new products
OIL FILTERS: residual oil recycled and filters are recycled into new metal products
MOTOR OIL: oil recycled into oil for refinery feedstock, fuel oil and diesel fuel for industrial burners
REUSABLE PAINT: recycled into new paint and/or made available for free to the public
TIRES: ground down and crumbed so that they can be recycled into paving blocks, mats, landscaping items and sports turf