B.C. adds plastic and aluminum items that can be recycled

The B.C. government has added some new plastic and aluminum items that can now be recycled.

These items include products that are disposed of after a single or one-time use, such as plastic sandwich bags cups, cutlery bowls and plates, B.C.’s Ministry of Environment announced Friday.

This announcement is separate from Canada’s ban on the manufacture and sale of some plastic items, including grocery bags and straws, which came into effect in December.

Under the federal law, companies can no longer produce or bring into Canada plastic checkout bags, cutlery, stir sticks, straws and takeout containers — and in a year, it will also be illegal to sell them.

B.C.’s announcement expands the number of plastic items that can be put in the blue bin, in a bid to keep more plastic out of the landfill.