The District of Sparwood and Recycle BC will launch a community-wide curbside recycling program in Sparwood on April 6, 2026.
The program’s recycling collection will use the same collection routes as garbage collection, so residents stay familiar with when pickup will be. Under this new program recycling and garbage will run on an alternating bi-weekly schedule with one week being garbage collection, and the next week recycling.
The district said the alternating schedule will allow recycling to be added efficiently while reducing equipment, staffing and service impacts.
Residents will use new blue 240L bins for paper, cardboard, and mixed containers, the same main materials currently accepted in the green bins at the Sparwood Transfer Station.
The transfer station will continue to play a role in the community, accepting items that can’t go in the blue carts. Materials that are classified as contaminants under curbside recycling standards, such as glass, flexible plastics, Styrofoam, electronics, and others.
The program places a focus on reducing contamination, and keeping recycling clean. That means garbage, hazardous waste, food-soiled items, or non-accepted packaging do not belong in the blue carts.
Keeping recycling clean and properly sorted makes sure the program can run safely. It helps lower costs, keeps workers safe, and ensures more materials are appropriately recycled instead of going to the landfill.
The District of Sparwood, Recycle BC, and Waste Management will run an education campaign to help residents understand what can and can’t go in the blue carts so they can recycle confidently and responsibly.
Through working together and learning to use the blue carts correctly, the program aims to make recycling easier, increase waste diversion, and build a cleaner, more sustainable future for Sparwood.
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