Information for building managers

Resources for buildings managers on how best to help your residents dispose of their recycling, compost, or garbage in your building.

General best practices

Bins and signage
Make sure you have all the required bins for waste collection, and use bin decals and signage to help residents know what goes where.

To help create automatic association, use consistent colour schemes for bin decals and signage.

In general:
- Green is for green bin
- Blue is for mixed container recycling
- Yellow for mixed paper recycling
- Grey for glass jars and bottles recycling
- Black for garbage
If your building is serviced by Waste Management on behalf of Recycle BC, you can request bin decals and signage by contacting:
- Waste Management Canada: 604-282-7961
- Recycle BC toll free: 1-855-875-3596
- Email: info@recyclebc.ca
Learn more about accessing and printing waste room signage
Speak to your waste hauler
Ask your waste hauler about services that meet your building’s needs.

The most common questions are:
- What type of waste streams do they collect?
- What are the fees associated with collection or bin replacement?
- What type of flexibility is offered with any changes?
- What type of educational support or materials are provided?
How to find a waste hauler
Depot recyclables
You can help improve and expand existing recycling options in your building by encouraging residents to take these items to their nearby depot or to the Vancouver Zero Waste Centre:
- Foam packaging
- Flexible plastics
- Household batteries
- Electronics
- Small appliances
- Lightbulbs
Set up a collection point in the recycling area if space allows, and recruit volunteers to start a depot recycling 'car-pool' program. You can incentivize maintenance staff or residents to transport items to your local depot by paying them for their time, giving them a gift, or letting them keep deposits from deposit beverage containers.

A fun way to use the funds collected from the deposit beverage containers is to direct it toward activities and initiatives in your building, such as improve recycling infrastructure (new bigger signage, or fresh coat of paint) or boost community spirit with activities and events, like a community BBQ.
Hazardous waste
There are various commonly used items that are considered hazardous waste, and are not accepted in your garbage, recycling, or green bins.

Items not accepted:
- Batteries, small appliances, light bulbs, and electronics
- Paint, paint thinners, and paint strippers
- Pesticides and fertilizers
- Adhesives, sealants, caulking, and fillers
- Cleaners, degreasers, solvents, furniture polishes. and rust and lime removers
- Aerosols such as paint, bug repellant, and insecticides
- Propane cylinders and tanks,
- Flammable liquids: BBQ lighter fluid, kerosine, lamp oil, and acetone
Some of these items can be dropped off at the Vancouver Zero Waste Centre and other local recycling depots , while others require special handling and disposal.

Engage with your residents

Communicate frequently with your residents about expectations and responsibility when using the recycling and green bin program.

You can also organize activities:

Encourage residents to participate in the Waste Diversion Program by using the customizable new resident welcome letter template (28 KB) and recycling reminder letter template (16 KB).
Attach signage in high traffic areas of your building.
Share information about our reuse and recycling drop-off and repair cafes.
Invite residents to join our Zero Waste Ambassador Program as you may have zero waste-minded residents in your building who might be interested in green initiatives.
Invite a guest speaker to discuss different aspects of recycling, including requesting a member from the Solid Waste Outreach and Education team to come out and hold a “Lobby Talk/ Booth” or a “Recycle Right” seminar.
Inquire with your waste hauling company if they offer any outreach activities.
Organize a community yard sale or swap table to give unwanted items a new home and reduce landfill waste.