Recycling Fact Sheets

RCBC Fact Sheet Series | GVRD Just the Facts

RCBC Fact Sheet Series

Think Twice

Summary:

Canadians generate approximately 31 million tonnes of garbage a year and only recycle about 30 per cent of that material. This means that each person generates approximately 2.7 kg of garbage each day. The sheer volume of waste that many existing landfill sites are approaching capacity, and few people want new sites built near their communities.

Mobius Loop

Summary:

Recycling Symbols - What do they mean?

This mobius loop means that the container is made up of some recycled materials. When a percentage is indicated within the symbol, that percentage of the product has been made from recycled materials. This symbol indicates that the material is recyclable where facilities exist. It does not mean that the product is made from recycled material.

Recycling and Climate Change

Summary:

Climate Change is the variation in the Earth's climate over time, which can be from both natural and human-induced changes. Human activities alter the chemical composition of the atmosphere through the increase of greenhouse gases (GHG). GHG trap heat and reflect it back to the earth's surface. The result is changes in our climate, including a rise in global temperature and more frequent extreme weather events. 

Waste Prevention Facts

Summary:

Recycling all of your home's waste newsprint,cardboard, glass, and metal can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 400 kg a year. Landfill sites account for about 38% of Canada's total methane emissions. Methane is 20 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. 

Who Would Have Thought?

Summary:

The gold, silver and bronze medals awarded at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games were made in part with metals recovered from ewaste such as computers, TV's and computer keyboards. Talk about trash to treasure! 

GVRD: Just the Facts

A factsheet series from Metro Vancouver, formerly known as the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD), on the most common recylable items we all encounter and waste reduction activites like composting, and grass cycling.

Aluminum
Cardboard
Glass
Newspaper
Plastic
Grass Cycling
Composting

Back to Top