What does (and doesn’t) go in the blue bin
Find out what goes in the blue bin—and what doesn’t. Hint: only containers, packaging, and printed paper belong in the bin.
Does it go in the bin?
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The "Spring Fresh" laundry detergent bottle
Your sheets. Your comforter. Your towels. Your curtains. They all smell fresh coming out of the washer. Freshen up your blue bin too by giving it your empty laundry detergent bottle. It's a container.
The laundry detergent bottle
It's a container so don't nest it inside other containers or packaging. If your bottle has a cap, make sure to leave it on the bottle. Otherwise, it might get lost at the sorting centre.
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Your moisturizer jar
It saved your skin during winter. Take care of it in return and put it empty in your blue bin. It's a container.
The body cream jar
It's a container. Make sure it's empty and put it in your blue bin without nesting it inside other containers or packaging.
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The finished toilet paper roll
At the end of your roll? That's no reason to keep collecting finished rolls! Put the roll in your blue bin. It can handle packaging.
The toilet paper roll
It's packaging. Put it separately in the bin, without nesting it inside a container or other packaging, which will help the sorting centre machines do their job properly.
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The outdated newspaper
Still got 2024 news as your bathroom reading? Give it to your blue bin. It loves old printed paper.
The newspaper
It's printed paper. Put it separately in your blue bin, without nesting it. The sorting centre machines will be able to process it better. If you're on the front page, keep it in your collection!
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The seed bucket for your balcony garden
You've planted enough tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers to feed your friends this summer? Great. Now feed your blue bin with your empty seed bucket. It's a container.
The seed bucket
It's a container. Make sure it's empty before putting it separately in your blue bin. Don't nest it with other containers or packaging.
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The dish soap bottle after your cooking marathon
Your grandma's spaghetti sauce is ready, your big pot has never been so clean, and there's not a drop of dish soap left. Put your empty bottle in your blue bin. It's a container.
The dish soap bottle
It's a container. Put it in your blue bin. If your bottle has a cap, make sure to leave it on the bottle. Otherwise, it might get lost at the sorting centre.
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Your toilet bowl hero
Your bathroom smells like a lavender field, and your cleaner bottle is empty. Bring those sweet scents to your blue bin. It's a container.
The toilet bowl cleaner bottle
It's a container, so off to the blue bin! Make sure it's empty and put it separately, without nesting it. If your bottle has a cap, leave it on. Otherwise, it might get lost at the sorting centre.
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The dishwasher pod box that saved your life
Your dishwasher ran more often than your spring cleaning playlist, so it's no wonder the box is empty! Before you get back to dancing with your mop, put the empty container in your blue bin.
The dishwasher pod box
It's a container. As soon as it's empty, into the blue bin it goes. Make sure it's empty before putting it separately in your blue bin. Don't nest it inside other containers or packaging.
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The shampoo bottle that's been empty for way too long
You know which bottle we're talking about. It's been sitting in your shower for two months. Time to put it in your blue bin. It's a container.
The shampoo bottle
It's a container. Make sure the bottle is empty and leave the cap on since it's small. Put it separately in your blue bin, without nesting it.
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The destroyed box from the Christmas toy
Santa’s finished his rounds. Now give your blue bin a gift by putting the empty toy boxes in it—they’re packaging.
Cardboard box
It’s packaging so it goes in the blue bin. Take the time to break down the box. It will help you manage space in your bin between pick-ups.
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The sugar bag from the yule log
The kids helped you make the icing for the yule log. Time to give your blue bin a sweet treat! Make sure the bags are empty and place them separately in the blue bin.
Sugar bag
It’s packaging. Simply place it in the blue bin once it’s empty, and don’t nest it inside other containers or packaging.
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The cranberry container from the holiday meal
Your cranberry sauce is a sure thing (and just sweet enough). Don't let your blue bin go hungry. Put the container in. It's packaging.
Cranberry container
The punnet is packaging, so make sure it’s completely empty before placing it in your blue bin.
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The egg mix box from your Christmas brunch
Your legendary four-cheese omelet is proudly displayed on the table beside Mom’s hash browns. The egg mix box goes in the blue bin; the omelet goes in your belly!
Liquid egg box
It’s a container. It must be emptied and lightly rinsed with a water jet or dishwasher if necessary. Don’t nest it inside another container or packaging. If there’s a cap, since it’s small, leave it on the box so it doesn’t get lost at the sorting centre.
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The holiday spice jar
While your cinnamon rolls rise in the oven, your empty cinnamon jar heads to the blue bin. Make sure there’s nothing left inside and leave the cap on.
Spice jar
This container must be empty and go in your blue bin. Don’t nest it inside another container or packaging. If there’s a cap, since it’s small, leave it on the jar so it doesn’t get lost at the sorting centre.
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The instructions for the invincible spaceship
Fresh out from under the tree, Grandpa helped the little one assemble his spaceship. Next step before conquering space: put the instruction manual in the blue bin. It’s printed paper.
Instruction manual
This printed paper goes in your blue bin. Place it separately and don’t nest it inside another container or packaging—this makes sorting machines’ work easier.
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The holiday flyer
You’ve checked off your whole gift list. Give the flyer to your blue bin—it’s printed paper.
Flyer
A flyer is printed paper. Simply place it in your blue bin and don’t nest it in a container or packaging. That way it can be processed by sorting machines.
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The flour bag from your star-shaped cookies
After baking all night, you finally nailed the recipe you saved on Instagram. If your flour bag is as empty as your energy reserves, put it in your blue bin—it’s packaging.
Flour bag
It’s packaging. Make sure it’s empty before placing it in the blue bin, and don’t nest it in a container or packaging. Sorting machines will process it better.
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The raisin bread bag
The raisin bread Grandma brought was amazing. Hard to believe the bag’s already empty. Now let your blue bin enjoy it—put it in; it’s packaging.
Bread bag
It’s packaging. Make sure it’s empty before placing it separately in the blue bin. Otherwise, sorting machines can’t process it. No more “bags of bags”!
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The milk bag traumatized by the Yule log
Not a drop of milk left, and you’re all fueled up on Yule log for the day. Now give your blue bin some strength by putting the empty milk bag in—it’s packaging.
Milk bag
It’s packaging. Empty it and give it a light rinse with a water jet or dishwasher if needed. Don’t nest it in a container or packaging, and don’t bundle it with other packaging.
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The pages of your class notes
Your end-of-term exams are done! Put your notes in the blue bin—it’ll be 100% satisfied with the printed paper.
Pages of class notes
These are printed paper. Place them separately in your blue bin without putting them in another container or packaging. This helps sorting machines do their homework properly.
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Your ex’s greeting cards
Want to get rid of your ex’s sweet nothings? Give them to your blue bin, which could need a little love (and printed papers).
Greeting cards
These cards are printed paper. Don’t nest them in a container or packaging. Place them separately in your blue bin. Sorting machines will process them more easily.
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Mrs. Claus’s tourtière plate
Mom outdid herself with the tourtière this year. Let your blue bin enjoy it too. Rinse the plate if needed and put it in—it’s packaging.
Aluminum plate
It’s packaging. Empty any leftovers and rinse the plate with a small stream of water or dishwater, if necessary. Place it separately in the blue bin and do not nest it inside other containers or packaging.
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The apple bag from your last picking trip
The apple crumble is done — now it’s the blue bin’s turn to have a share. The bag goes in the bin, as it’s packaging.
Apple bag
It’s packaging. To make sorting easier at the centre, just place it in the blue bin once it’s empty.
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The candy cane-flavoured coffee cup
Your blue bin wants to taste the holiday spirit too. Give the cup a quick rinse if needed and put it in the blue bin—it’s a container.
Coffee cup
It’s a container so it goes in the blue bin. Make sure the container is empty and rinse it lightly with a small stream of water or dishwater, if needed. Place the lid separately in the bin if it’s made of a different material.
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The Halloween treat box
Dragons, pirates, and superheroes have filled their buckets. Now that the kingdom is safe, give your blue bin a treat and drop the box in: it’s packaging.
Cardboard box
It’s packaging so it goes in the blue bin. Take the time to break down the box. It will help you manage space in your bin between pick-ups.
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Those magazines stacked by the toilet
Make room for new gossip and drop this printed paper in the blue bin.
Magazines
Magazines are considered printed paper and go in the blue bin. Make sure they’re not hidden inside another container or packaging so they can be sorted efficiently at the sorting facility.
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The boxes from your latest online shopping spree (hey, it was on sale!)
The only thing easier than ordering online is dropping the packaging in the blue bin.
Cardboard box
It’s packaging, so it goes in the blue bin. Take a moment to flatten the cardboard box to help you make better use of space in your bin between collections. If possible, remove any tape from the box.
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The chicken broth carton that adds all the flavour
The recipe is simple: the broth goes in the pot, the empty container goes in the blue bin.
Broth container
This goes in the blue bin. Make sure the container is empty and give it a quick rinse with a small splash of water or dish water, if needed. Since the cap is small, put it back on the container before placing it in the bin so it doesn’t get lost at the sorting facility.
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The can of food your cat goes crazy for
They’ll purr with approval when you sort it correctly: this packaging goes in the blue bin.
Tin can
Make sure this packaging is empty before placing it in the blue bin. You can rinse it with a small splash of water or dish water, if needed.
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The aluminum foil covering grandma’s pie
Packaging that protects a family recipe so well deserves a second life—toss it in the blue bin.
Aluminum foil
It’s considered packaging and goes in the blue bin, whether it’s clean or dirty. Remove food scraps, ball it up withtout compressing it too tightly, and place it in your bin. Do not put it inside another container or packaging.
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The takeout container from your favourite fried chicken
Give this container a finger-lickin’ good ending by placing it in the blue bin.
Food container
This goes in the blue bin. Empty it and give it a quick rinse if needed, using a small splash of water or dish water, before placing it in the bin. If the lid is made of a different material than the container, you need to separate them, unless the lid is small.
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Friday night’s pizza box
Pineapple on pizza: love it or hate it? Either way, this packaging belongs in the blue bin.
Pizza box
Remove any leftover food and parchment paper from the packaging before placing it in the blue bin. Even if it’s greasy, the box still goes in the bin!
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The wine bottle from happy hour
Give this container a send-off worthy of a fine vintage: the blue bin.
Wine bottle
Once empty, place the bottle in the blue bin. Since the cap is small, put it back on the bottle before placing it in the bin to prevent it from getting lost at the sorting facility.
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The sour cream tub you forgot at the back of the fridge
Be brave—empty it out. Then, don’t forget to put it in the blue bin.
Sour cream container
This goes in the blue bin. Make sure the container is empty. If needed, you can give it a quick rinse with a small splash of water or dish water. Remove the plastic film from the tub before putting it in the bin. Since the lid is large enough, you can place it separately in the bin.
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The laundry detergent bottle you share with your roommates
Once it’s empty, this container can go straight from the delicate cycle to the blue bin.
Laundry detergent bottle
Make sure the container is empty before placing it in the blue bin. Since the cap is small, leave it on the bottle to prevent it from getting lost at the sorting facility.
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The olive oil bottle from your last trip to Spain
Yummm. Tastes like vacation! Next destination for this container: your blue bin.
Olive oil bottle
This goes in the blue bin. Make sure the container is empty and the cap is on. If needed, you can give it a quick rinse with a small splash of water or dish water.
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The paint can from your high school days
Remember when your room was purple and turquoise in high school? The empty paint can in your storage room remembers. Bring this very colourful memory to an Éco-Peinture drop-off point. It's a hazardous product for your blue bin!
The paint can
Even empty, it doesn't go in your blue bin. It's a hazardous household product that contaminates other materials and can damage sorting equipment. Find an Éco-Peinture drop-off point near you or ask your municipality.
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The gas canister
An empty canister won't make your blue bin laugh. It's not a container, packaging, or printed paper, and it can explode at the sorting centre.
The gas canister
Warning, danger! It doesn't go in your blue bin. The pressurized gas can explode and endanger truck and sorting centre staff. Return the canister to the supplier or contact your municipality to find out what to do with it.
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Your trusty blender
You used your blender so much you gave it a name . . . but The Saint just died. Give it a second life at the ecocentre, not in your blue bin. It's not a container, packaging, or printed paper.
The blender
It's not a container, packaging, or printed paper. It's an electronic product so it doesn't go in your blue bin. The glass from the bowl contaminates recyclable glass and can cause breakage at sorting centres. Some models also contain lithium batteries that can explode. If it's in good condition, drop it off at a reuse location, like a donation centre. Otherwise, contact your municipality to find out what to do with it.
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Your pots and pans that have seen it all
Your secret chili recipe, your baked beans that stuck in your pan, your old cookware has seen it all, but it won't make it into your blue bin. Contact your municipality to find out what to do with it.
Pots and pans
They're not containers, packaging, or printed paper. They're durable household items (more than five years). If they're in good condition, drop them off at a donation centre. Otherwise, contact your municipality to find out what to do with them.
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The whipped cream bottle from your hot chocolate
Whipped cream on your comforting hot chocolate is delicious, but the container doesn't go in your blue bin. Its gas is a poisoned gift. You need to leave it at a municipal drop-off point, it's an exception!
The whipped cream bottle
It's a container, but it's an exception. The pressurized gas it contains can explode even if it's empty. Take it to a municipal drop-off point.
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The old Santa costume
Delivering gifts wears you out: it’s time for a new outfit. But careful, Santa—don’t offer it to the blue bin, as it’s neither a container, packaging, nor printed paper.
Santa’s costume
A costume is neither a container, packaging, nor printed paper. Santa should keep it for next year or take it to a donation centre if it’s too worn.
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The garland that’s been on your tree for 10 years
It has sparkled brightly, but it’s not a bright idea for your blue bin—it’s neither a container, packaging, nor printed paper. At least let it have one last Christmas and pass it on.
The Christmas garland
It’s neither a container, packaging, nor printed paper—and above all, it’s not a gift for sorting centres because it can get tangled in the machines. If it’s in good condition, reuse it next year or pass it on. If it’s broken, contact your municipality to find out how to dispose of it.
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The toy cars that have had their day
They’ve driven all over your little cousin’s floor, but now they’re parked in a box of toys to donate. They can’t head for the blue bin: they’re neither containers, packaging, nor printed paper.
The toy
It’s neither a container, packaging, nor printed paper. Some toys also contain lithium batteries that can break in collection trucks or at sorting centres and catch fire when exposed to air. Contact your municipality to find out what to do.
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Your friend’s baby’s diaper
It’s not a container, packaging, or printed paper. Its smell gives your blue bin and the sorting centre cold sweats. It goes in the garbage.
The diapers
They are neither containers, packaging, nor printed paper. Diapers do not go in the blue bin. They can contaminate recyclable materials. They also produce bad odours and can pose health risks to workers. Put them in your garbage bin.
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The syringe that shouldn’t be left lying around
It’s not a container, packaging, or printed paper. Be careful — it can injure workers in sorting centres and spread disease. Return it to a drop-off location (CLSC, pharmacy, hospital).
Syringes
They don’t go in the blue bin. They are not containers, packaging, or printed paper. They expose sorting centre workers to the risk of accidental needle sticks. Syringes and other sharp objects must be brought to designated locations such as CLSCs, pharmacies, and hospital emergency rooms.
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Your DIY “spooky” bat
You followed the tutorial well to make it. But now it needs to fly far from the blue bin. It’s impossible to sort items that are glued together.
Halloween craft
It doesn’t go in the blue bin. Even if it’s made from containers, packaging, or printed paper, a craft can’t be sorted because its different components can’t be separated at the sorting centre. Save it for next year.
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Your horror movie VHS tape
It’s not a container, packaging, or printed paper. It gives your blue bin the chills. Because of the tape, the ending can be tragic at the sorting centre.
VHS tape
It’s neither a container, packaging, nor printed paper. The tape can get tangled in machines and damage equipment. If it’s broken, contact your municipality to find out what to do with it. If it’s in good condition, drop it off at a donation centre or give it to a collector.
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Your Halloween party costume
Even though your costume was a smash hit, it doesn’t go in the blue bin. Keep it away: it’s neither a container, packaging, nor printed paper.
Halloween costume
It doesn’t go in the blue bin because it’s neither a container, packaging, nor printed paper. If the costume is in good condition, you can drop them off at a donation centre. Otherwise, reuse it next year.
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The garland from your haunted house decor
It’s not a container, packaging, or printed paper. If it gets tangled in the machines, it can play nasty tricks on the sorting centre. Reuse it next year instead.
Halloween garland
It’s neither a container, packaging, nor printed paper. It doesn’t go in the blue bin. It can break sorting centre machines and equipment by getting tangled in them. If you can’t reuse it, contact your municipality to find out what to do with it. If it’s in good condition, drop it off at a donation centre — someone else might use it.
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The mask you’ve worn for the last 10 years
It scares everyone — including the blue bin. It’s not a container, packaging, or printed paper.
Halloween mask
It’s neither a container, packaging, nor printed paper. It doesn’t go in the blue bin. If it’s in good condition, you can drop it off at a reuse centre, like a donation center. Otherwise, contact your municipality to find out what to do with it.
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The garden hose your dog chewed up
Rocky had a great time, but whether it’s leaky or not, a hose doesn’t belong in the blue bin. It’s not a container, packaging, or printed paper.
Garden hose
It’s not a container, packaging, or printed paper. When placed in the blue bin, a garden hose can get tangled in sorting facility machinery and damage the equipment. If it’s damaged, contact your municipality to find out how to dispose of it. If it’s in good condition, take it to a donation centre such as a thrift shop.
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That abstract elementary school art project
It’s sweet that your mom kept it, but it doesn’t belong in the blue bin because different materials glued together can’t be sorted in the sorting facility.
Crafts
Even if they’re made from containers, packaging, or printed papers, a craft project cannot be sorted because it’s not possible at the sorting facility to separate its different components. It does not go in the blue bin.
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The batteries from your headlamp
Follow the light and take your batteries to a designated drop-off point. They’re not a container, packaging, or printed paper, so they don't go in the blue bin.
Batteries
They are neither containers, packaging, nor printed paper. When placed in the blue bin, lithium batteries can break in collection trucks or at sorting facilities and, when exposed to air, catch fire. Contact your municipality to find out how to dispose of them.
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The aerosol can of bug spray
It repels mosquitoes and blue bins. It’s an exception: pressurized gas inside can cause it to explode, so it doesn’t belong in the bin.
Aerosol can
It’s a container, but it’s an exception because it contains pressurized gas that can explode in collection trucks and sorting facilities. Therefore, it does not go in the blue bin. Contact your municipality to find out how to dispose of it.
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The polystyrene protective packaging from your new game console
Yes, it’s packaging, but it’s an exception: styrofoam breaks apart and sticks to sorting machines, which is bad news for sorting facilities.
Polystyrene protective packaging
You’ll find this, for example, in the packaging for furniture or electronic devices. It is indeed packaging, but it’s an exception and does not go in the blue bin. It breaks apart into small beads and causes problems in sorting facilities. Contact your municipality to find out how to dispose of it.
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Worn-out undies
Their adventures end today: they don’t belong in the blue bin. Underwear isn’t a container, packaging, or printed paper.
Clothing
This does not go in the blue bin, as it is neither a container, packaging, nor printed paper. If the clothing is in good condition, you can take it to a donation centre, such as a thrift shop. Otherwise, contact your municipality to find out how to dispose of it.
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The wine glass you shattered while telling a great story
For a happy ending, don’t put it in the blue bin. This kind of glass can’t be recycled (unlike your story).
Wine glass
Wine glasses are considered “long-duration” items because they can be reused indefinitely. They are made of non-recyclable glass, and if they end up in sorting facilities, they contaminate other recyclable glass. They therefore do not belong in the blue bin. If they are in good condition, take them to a reuse location, such as a donation centre. Otherwise, contact your municipality to find out how to dispose of them.