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The average Canadian produces around 720 kilograms of waste each year
The average Canadian produces around 720 kilograms of waste each year
= roughly the weight of a full-grown grizzly bear or an entire grand piano… per person
= roughly the weight of a full-grown grizzly bear or an entire grand piano… per person
For a family of four, that’s nearly three metric tonnes of trash every single year
= about the same as a fully loaded Ford F-150
Now imagine if every household cut just 10 kilograms a month (only about one full kitchen bag) - that would save 180 million kilograms of waste a year
Now imagine if every household cut just 10 kilograms a month (only about one full kitchen bag) - that would save 180 million kilograms of waste a year
= the weight of over 250 CN Towers worth of garbage avoided!!
= the weight of over 250 CN Towers worth of garbage avoided!!
The Truth Behind the Bin
The Truth Behind the Bin
Why It Matters
Why It Matters
We’ve been taught that tossing something in the blue bin is the end of the story. Spoiler: it’s not.
Recycling isn’t a magic fix — it’s a tool, and like any tool, it only works when used right. Across Canada, recycling rules vary wildly by region, meaning what’s “recyclable” in BC might be landfill in Alberta. Add in corporate greenwashing, inconsistent labeling, and a ton of wishful tossing, and you’ve got a system that’s more confusing than your high school group projects.
But here’s the good news: waste reduction and smarter recycling are completely doable.
When we take ownership of what we buy, how we use it, and where it goes next, we start to rewrite the story of waste — one coffee cup at a time.
Wild Facts
Wild Facts
The average Canadian produces 720 kg of waste per year — one of the highest rates in the world.
Only about 9% of plastic ever produced in Canada has actually been recycled.
Wishcycling (tossing things into the bin “just in case”) can ruin entire batches of recyclables.
Contamination is the #1 reason recyclables end up in landfills — one greasy pizza box can ruin a tonne of paper.
Canada exports hundreds of thousands of tonnes of waste abroad each year, often to countries with unsafe disposal systems.
What You Can Do Right Now
What You Can Do Right Now
You don’t need to go zero-waste overnight — just waste less. Here’s how to start immediately
Know your local rules. Each province (and sometimes each city) has its own recycling system. Bookmark your local guide — it’s your new bedtime reading.
Ditch the wishcycling. If you’re unsure, check first. Contaminating a bin is worse than trashing one item.
Rinse and dry everything. Moisture and food residue turn recyclables into landfill waste.
Say no to mixed materials. Packages with layers of foil, plastic, and paper (like chip bags) are unrecyclable almost everywhere.
Reuse > Recycle. Glass jars, sturdy containers, and cloth bags have a second life waiting.
Shop smarter. Choose items with minimal or recyclable packaging. Buying in bulk = fewer containers, fewer regrets.
Compost food waste. Food scraps in landfills release methane — composting stops that and feeds the soil.
Support repair culture. Fixing something once a year beats replacing it twice.
Refuse single-use plastics. Say no to straws, cutlery, and “convenience” items that aren’t convenient for the planet.
Advocate for better systems. Email your city council, support EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility), and let companies know packaging design matters.
You don’t have to do everything — just something.
Small habits lead to big change when they become the new normal.
How to Recycle Right in Canada — and When It’s More Harm Than Good
How to Recycle Right in Canada — and When It’s More Harm Than Good
Recycling is a system and a business, and unfortunately it is not our salvation.
It works best when materials are clean, sorted, and consistent, and when it isn't, the whole lot will get tossed in the landfill.
Recycle right by:
Checking provincial or municipal apps before tossing (like “Recycle BC” or “Toronto Waste Wizard”).
Cleaning and drying all containers.
Keeping lids on plastic bottles — they’re often made of the same material.
Removing tape, labels, or food remnants.
Skip recycling when:
The item is made of mixed or dirty materials (e.g. greasy paper, waxed coated cardboard).
The transport and processing footprint outweighs the material recovery if your city isn't currently processing what you drop off.
Reuse and composting are always the better options.
Recycling isn’t the goal or the way to save the planet - it is just the best we have so far.
The real win is learning to need less, use smarter, and waste none.
💚 Help Support Our Work 💚
💚 Help Support Our Work 💚
Your donation helps us reduce waste, create community resources, build tools for educators, and expand accessible environmental education.
E-transfer a donation to:
donate@therecyclingproject.ca
Thank you for fueling a future with less waste and more creativity.
The Recycling Project is a social enterprise. Donations are not tax-deductible but directly fund community education and impact programs.
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