One quarter of recycling in Hope improperly sorted

More than one quarter of materials sent to Hope's recycling were deemed incompatible according to a recycling audit conducted in August 2026. (Pattie Desjardins/ Hope Standard) Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... A recycling audit has found that the amount of improperly sorted recyclables in Hope's recycling has increased. The latest Recycle BC audit found the rate of incompatible materials sent to recycling rose to 25.4 per cent, a rise from the previous audit's 14 per cent. Here is a breakdown of the most significant recycling errors: • 9.19 per cent were unsortable materials, such as those placed inside of plastic bags. • 4.03 per cent were hardcover and softcover books. • 2.1 per cent was scrap metal. • 1.65 per cent were types of flexible plastic packaging. • 1.27 per cent were clothing and textiles. • 0.92 per cent were more durable plastic products. • 0.8 per cent were plastic films and bags. • 0.5 per cent were electronics. The audit also found containers contaminated with food or other residue. Incorrectly sorted materials can contaminate other recyclable items and create safety risks for workers. Tips to help improve the sorting process and make Hope's recycling more efficient include, making sure all recyclables are loose and not in bags; emptying and rinsing all containers; making sure to not recycle books, clothing, toys, storage bins, electronics, small appliances or scrap metal; and recycling flexible plastic materials at an appropriate recycling depot. Beverage containers, electronics and small appliances can be recycled at the Hope Bottle Depot, located at 517A Corbett St. 'We've improved before, Hope, and we can do it again,' wrote a representative of the District of Hope. 'Let's take an extra moment to sort carefully and help get our recycling headed back in the right direction.' For more information on what items can be safely sent to recycling, visit recyclebc.ca/what-can-i-recycle.