Where is the Recycling Program located? For directions to the Abbotsford Community Services Recycling Program, see the Contact Us page.

What can I put into my blue bag? For a list of materials that can go in your blue bag, see the Recycling page.

When is the Recycling Program open? For Hours of Operation, see the Contact Us page.

What happens to my blue bags? The blue bags are trucked to the Abbotsford Community Services Recycling Program for sorting. The blue bags are opened and the contents are placed onto a conveyor belt. Recyclables are then sorted by Abbotsford Community Services staff. Once sorted, recyclables are baled or loaded loose into shipping containers and sent to local markets for processing.

Are the blue bags recycled? Yes. Once emptied, the blue bags are separated and sent to a plastics facility where they are recycled into plastic products like new blue bags.

Why do we use blue bags instead of a blue box? The blue bag collection method has many advantages over the blue box system.

• Blue bags keep the recyclable materials dry. Paper products delivered wet cannot be recycled and are land filled.
• Blue boxes require an extra sort at the curb.
• Blue bags utilize any type of collection truck, whereas the boxes require the purchase of specialized compartmented trucks.
• Collecting recyclables in bags is much more flexible than boxes. Blue bags allow us to collect a variety of different recyclables making it easy to add new items whereas a blue box system is limited by the number of compartments on the collection truck.
• There is a decreased amount of glass breakage in the bags due to the ‘cushioning effect’ of other recyclables in the bag.

Where can I purchase blue bags?

• Blue bags can be purchased at any major grocery store chain or hardware store; usually any place that sells garbage bags. There are several brands of blue bags and they can vary in price.

Why do I have to buy blue bags? Having customers purchase blue bags has many advantages:

• There are several brands of blue bags on the market. Customers can choose the brand they wish to buy.
• Allowing customers to choose from several brands creates competition among manufacturers keeping the cost of the product low.
• This creates a user pay system where only those using the program are paying for the blue bags rather than the municipality passing the cost onto all taxpayers.

Can I bring my recycling to the depot and what can I drop off? Yes, you can bring your recyclables to the depots. For a list of items that we accept go to the Recycling page.

Why do the collection crews seem to put recycling and garbage in the same truck? It may appear that recycling and garbage are being placed together into the same truck, however they are being separated. The collection trucks have a spilt compartment. One compartment is for recycling and the other is for garbage.

Can I recycle Styrofoam? No, Styrofoam is currently not recyclable and needs to go either in your curbside garbage or be brought to the land fill or transfer station.