Recycling 101

Navigating its importance with tips, how-tos and more.

We Can All Get Involved

Recycling is one way you can fight against climate change. No matter where you live, you can do your part to salvage waste resources and conserve energy simply by recycling.

Figuring out how to responsibly dispose of your waste can be overwhelming. But don’t sweat it — we’ll get you up to speed.

Did You Know...?

Recycling sorting guidelines differ throughout the province. Before sorting, check your municipality’s sort guide – most also have a waste app you can download.

Beverage containers are valuable — but only if they are clean! Rinsing your containers means that more get recycled.

Sharps should never be placed in recyclable containers or put out for curbside waste collection. It is bad for the environment and dangerous for waste collection workers.

Why Recycling Matters

Recycling is the process of collecting and transforming materials, giving them a new life. Not only does recycling cut down on waste going to landfill, but it also means fewer raw materials are taken from our precious planet.

You can recycle items like plastics, paper, metal, glass, household hazardous waste and organic materials through your municipality’s waste collection programs. Other items like tires, beverage containers, textiles, paint cans and electronics can also be thoughtfully recycled through stewardship programs.

Doing your part to recycle will keep your community and environment healthy for a better tomorrow.

Making a Difference

Together, our everyday actions matter and they do make a difference. For example, Divert NS’ two recycling programs (beverage containers and tires) have contributed $594.7 million dollars to Nova Scotia’s economy since 1996.

Through these programs alone, we have avoided taking up landfill space, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and created jobs.

We can make recycling part of our daily routines. Proper disposal of items, big or small, has a positive environmental impact that you can be proud of.