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Knowledge Base

Packaging Related to Serving Food

This information helps stewards report using the correct material categories. 

For Recycle BC stewards:

COMMON PRODUCTS

COMPONENTS

TYPICAL WERECYCLE MATERIAL SUBCATEGORIES

REPORTING TIPS

Sandwich packaging

 

Wrapper

  • Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging
  • Paper Laminates
  • Other Aluminum Packaging

 

Box

  • Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging
 

French fry holder

N/A

  • Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging
  • Paper Laminates

 

 

Cold food containers and platters (for salads, popcorn, sushi, etc.)

Container

  • PET Thermoform Containers < 5 Litres – Non-Beverage
  • Non-Expanded Polystyrene – Other
  • Other Plastic Packaging (not listed above) < 5 Litres – Non-Beverage
  • Other Aluminum Packaging
  • Other Steel Containers and Packaging - Non-Beverage

 

Lid

  • PET Thermoform Containers < 5 Litres – Non-Beverage
  • Non-Expanded Polystyrene – Other
  • Other Plastic Packaging < 5 Litres – Non-Beverage
 
Hot food containers (for buckets of chicken, soup, fried rice, Chinese food, etc.) Container
  • Paper Laminates
  • Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging
  • PET Thermoform Containers <5 Litres - Non-Beverage
  • PLA, PHA, PHB - Non-Beverage
  • Non-Expanded Polystyrene - Other
  • Other Plastic Packaging <5 Litres - Non-Beverage
  • Expanded Polystyrene - Food Packaging
  • Other Aluminum Packaging
 
Lid
  • Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging
  • PET Thermoform Containers < 5 Litres - Non-Beverage
  • Non-Expanded Polystyrene - Other
  • Other Plastic Packaging <5 Litres - Non-Beverage
 

 Pizza packaging

 

Pizza box

  • Corrugated Cardboard

 

Pizza slice holder

  • Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging
 
Protective paper
  • Paper Laminates
 

Pizza ‘table’ (inside pizza box to keep lid off pizza)

  • Other Plastic Packaging < 5 Litres – Non-Beverage
  • Non-Expanded Polystyrene - Other
 

 Soft-serve ice cream

 

Paper wrap around ice cream cone

  • Paper Laminates

 

Ice cream cup

  • Paper Laminates
  • Other Plastic Packaging (not listed above) < 5 Litres – Non-Beverage
  • PET Thermoform Containers < 5 Litres – Non-Beverage
  • Expanded Polystyrene – Food Packaging
 

Lids

  • Non-Expanded Polystyrene- Other
  • Other Plastic Packaging (not listed above) < 5 Litres- Non-Beverage
 

Baked goods

Bag

  • Corrugated Cardboard
  • Kraft Paper Bags - Point of Sale
  • Paper Laminates

Report laminated Kraft bags as Paper Laminates

Box

  • Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging
 

Dressing and condiment packaging

Cup

  • Non-Expanded Polystyrene – Other
  • Other Plastic Packaging < 5 Litres- Non-Beverage

 

Lid
  • Non-Expanded Polystyrene - Other
  • Other Plastic Packaging (not listed above) <5 Litres - Non-Beverage
 

Peel

  • Other Aluminum Packaging
  • Plastic Laminates – Non-Beverage
 

Packet

  • Plastic Laminates – Non-Beverage
 

Salt, pepper and sugar packets

  • Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging
 

Food delivery packaging

 

Protective Seal

  • Paper Laminates
  • Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging
  • Plastic Laminates - Non-Beverage

Recycle BC: learn more about the responsible party for service packaging

Receipt

  • Other Printed Materials
 
Take out menus
  • Other Printed Materials
 
Promotional coupons / contests
  • Other Printed Materials
 

Delivery Bag

  • Kraft Paper Bags - Point of Sale
  • Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging
  • LDPE or HDPE Film - Carry Out Bags
  • PLA, PHA, PHB - Carry Out Bags
  • Natural and Synthetic Textiles
  • Plastic Laminates - Non-Beverage
Report Natural and Synthetic Textiles in Ontario only. 

Utensils packaging

Chopstick wrapper

  • Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging
  • LDPE or HDPE Film
  • PLA, PHA, PHB – Plastic Film
  • Plastic Laminates – Non-Beverage
Recycle BC: plastic utensils are designated Single-Use Products and must be included in your steward report along with any packaging associated with these products. Learn more.

Plastic cutlery wrapper

  • LDPE or HDPE Film
  • PLA, PHA, PHB – Plastic Film
  • Plastic Laminates – Non-Beverage
  • Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging

Toy packaging

Toy wrap

  • LDPE or HDPE Film
  • PLA, PHA, PHB – Plastic Film
  • Plastic Laminates – Non-Beverage

 

Instructions

  • Other Printed Materials
  • Newsprint (inserts and circulars)
  • Other Newsprint – Non-CNA/OCNA Members
 

Fortune cookie wrapping

Wrapper

  • LDPE or HDPE Film
  • PLA, PHA, PHB – Plastic Film
  • Plastic Laminates – Non-Beverage

 

Fortune

  • Other Printed Materials
 

Carry-out bags, carry-out trays, molded fibreboard beverage trays for multiple food or beverage items

N/A
  • PLA, PHA, PHB – Carry-Out Bags
  • LDPE or HDPE Film
  • Kraft Paper Bags - Point of Sale
  • Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging
  • Corrugated Cardboard
  • Paper Laminates
  • Plastic Laminates – Non-Beverage

Report laminated Kraft bags as Paper Laminates

Recycle BC: learn more about the responsible party for service packaging

Carry-out trays

N/A

  • Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging
  • Corrugated Cardboard

Recycle BC: learn more about the responsible party for service packaging

Carry-out bags: plastic

N/A

  • PLA, PHA, PHB – Carry-Out Bags
  • LDPE or HDPE Film - Carry-Out Bags
  • Plastic Laminates – Non-Beverage

Recycle BC: learn more about the responsible party for service packaging

Carry out bags: Paper

N/A

  • Kraft Paper Bags - Point of Sale
  • Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging
  • Corrugated Cardboard
  • Paper Laminates

Report laminated Kraft bags as Paper Laminates

Recycle BC: learn more about the responsible party for service packaging

Fillable beverage cups (i.e. for hot and cold coffee, soda fountain)

Cup

  • Paper Laminates
  • Expanded Polystyrene – Food Packaging
  • Non-Expanded Polystyrene – Other
  • PET Thermoform Containers <5 Litres – Non-Beverage
 

Lid

  • Non-Expanded Polystyrene – Other
  • Other Plastic Packaging (not listed above) < 5 Litres – Non-Beverage
 

Straw Wrapper

  • Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging
  • LDPE or HDPE Film
  • PLA, PHA, PHB – Plastic Film
  • Plastic Laminates – Non-Beverage
 

Straw, Stir Stick

  • Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging
  • Other Plastic Packaging (not listed above) < 5 Litres – Non-Beverage

Recycle BC: both the straw and the wrapper are designated Single-Use Products. Learn more.  

MMSW, MMSM and Stewardship Ontario: do not report the straw itself.

Spill Stick

  • Other Plastic Packaging (not listed above) < 5 Litres – Non-Beverage
 

Sleeve

  • Corrugated Cardboard
  • Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging
 

 

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