a pilot program began at 116 depots in the province to collect flexible plastics. Items accepted in this new program include cellophane, zipper storage bags, bubble wrap, chip bags. granola bar wrappers, net bags for produce, plastic shipping envelopes and woven rice bags. London Drugs stores in the province also act as Reycle BC depots. Streetside recycling In August 2016, Recycle BC began a pilot program with the City of Vancouver consisting of 31 sets of bins, including for paper and mixed containers. They are located in the West End and the pilot program ran until the end of 2017. As of July 2018, the bins were still in place. Multiple cities have criticized Recycle BC for still not fulfilling its obligation to operate streetside recycling programs, as of October 2018, even though they have been obliged to do so since 2014. The organization claims that the streetside bins are too contaminated for the material to be recycled. Criticism Some residents in small BC communities have criticized Recycle BC for not collecting materials there, as it costs more than in larger centres. Some communities have also seen items which were previously taken in curbside bins (ie. plastic bags) now having to be brought to a recycling depot. Books are also excluded from recycling in British Columbia, as the province decided not to make publishers pay for their recycling. The town of Osoyoos has also complained to Recycle BC regarding their plan to eliminate blue plastic bags as a method for curbside collection. During a comment period in October 2018, Recycle BC proposed expanding their program to include packaging-like products, which was supported by local governments and depots. However, they caved to the pressure by product manufactures and backed down from the proposal. References Recycling in Canada 2014 establishments in British Columbia Non-profit organizations based in British Columbia Companies based in Vancouver