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Tin Cans (non-refundable)


Glossary
Tin Cans (non-refundable)

Residential tin cans can be recycled for free through the provincial Recycle BC program. In the Capital Region this is available through the curbside blue box recycling program as well as some drop off locations.

Refundable cans are managed through the beverage container return program. See the listing for Beverage Containers (refundable) for the location of collection facilities in the region.

Reduce | Reuse | Recycle | Facilities

How do I go green?

Choosing cans may be a better option than plastic bottles when choosing a beverage as recycling options are easier on the environment and longer lasting. Recycling aluminum does not involve downcycling. An old can is made into a new can, over and over, unlike plastic, which is usually remade into a lower quality plastic.

Use those old cans to store and organise pens, pencils, and utensils or puncture holes in the can and use it as a decorative candle holder.

Residential tin cans are accepted in the curbside blue box recycling program and for free at Recycle BC Depots found here.

Remove the paper label and put in your Blue Bag. Rinse the can and lid and put into your Blue Box. If you have larger quantities or pieces of steel, contact facilities listed below regarding size limits and charges.

Facilities

  • Brentwood Auto & Metal Recyclers

    7481 West Saanich Road
    Saanichton
    250.665.7282

  • CRD Curbside Blue Box Recycling Program



    236.470.0186

  • Ellice Recycle

    524 David Street
    Victoria
    250.386.4342

  • Emterra Environmental (commercial only)

    304 John Street
    Victoria
    250.385.4399

  • Esquimalt Return-It

    935 Ellery
    Victoria
    250.381.1482

  • Galiano Recycling Depot

    220 Sturdies Bay Road
    Galiano Island
    250.539.5769

  • GFL Environmental (formerly Alpine, and Terrapure Environmental)

    1045 Dunford Avenue
    Victoria
    250.474.5145

  • Gulf Island Recycling Service


    Salt Spring Island
    1.250.538.7206

  • H.L. Disposal & Lawn Services Ltd.

    334 Hillside Ave
    Victoria
    250.381.2020

  • Hartland Depot

    1 Hartland Avenue
    Victoria
    250.360.3030

  • Mayne Island Recycling Depot

    390 Campbell Bay Road
    Mayne Island
    250.539.3383

  • Pacific Mobile Depots (PMD)

    6215 Marilyn Rd
    Sooke
    250.893.3851

  • Pender Island Recycling Depot

    4400 Otter Bay Road
    Pender Island
    250.629.6962

  • Pender Island Waste Management Ltd


    Pender Island
    250.629.6690

  • Port Renfrew Garbage & Recycling Depot

    17055 Parkinson Road
    Port Renfrew
    1.800.663.4425

  • Radius Recycling (formerly Schnitzer)

    307 David Street
    Victoria
    250.381.5865

  • Salt Spring Garbage and Recycling

    360 Blackburn Road
    Salt Spring Island
    250.537.2167

  • Salt Spring Island Recycling Depot

    349 Rainbow Road
    Salt Spring Island
    250.537.1200

  • Saturna Island Recycling Depot

    101 Harris Road
    Saturna Island
    250.539.8080

  • Serenity on Saturna

    103 East Point Road
    Saturna Island
    250.539.3385

  • Sidney Return-It

    5-10025 Galaran Road
    Sidney
    778.351.2828

    • The Environmental Story

    Steel is produced from mined iron ore and consumes a great deal of precious energy and water in the original production process. Fortunately, this lightweight and malleable material can be recycled indefinitely without downcycling, so there's no excuse for dumping an old steel can in the trash. Recycling a tonne of steel keeps 1.5 tonnes of iron ore in the mine and saves 40% of the water and 75% of the energy used to make virgin steel. In the past, tin was stripped from steel and recycled separately, now the small amount of tin and steel tends to be recycled together as an alloy.

    Did You Know?

    Many of the cans we consider to be 'tin' cans are actually steel cans with a thin coat of tin on the exterior to add strength. Overall, actual tin content has decreased in cans over the last several decades to decrease weight and due to the relative scarcity of this mined material.