Big Blue Bin

Photo of big blue binEstablished in 1991, the Big Blue Bin program has recycled nearly 30,000 tonnes of waste paper, saving the equivalent of 420,000 trees. That's almost twice the number of trees in Regina.

Each time a Big Blue Bin is filled with paper about 50 trees are saved.

What is accepted at a Big Blue Bin

All Big Blue Bins feature a lower door to make it easier for recyclers with disabilities. All clean household paper can be deposited in the Big Blue Bins, including:

  • newspapers
  • boxes (flattened)
  • cardboard (flattened)
  • flyers
  • telephone books
  • fine writing paper
  • magazines

DO NOT place plastic milk containers or glass in Big Blue Bins. SARCAN depots  accept rinsed, plastic milk containers; washed glass containers can be taken to the green glass recycling bins located at the City of Regina landfill.

Big Blue Bin locations

  • Broadway Shopping Centre - 1323 Broadway Ave.
  • Columbus Park - Pasqua Street
  • Golden Mile Shopping Centre - south side - 3806 Albert St.
  • Lakeshore Mall - 1380 23rd Ave.
  • Leader-Post on Victoria Avenue - 1964 Park St.
  • Northgate Mall - 489 Albert Street North
  • Northwest Leisure Centre - 1127 Arnason St.
  • Rosemont Shopping Centre - 5140 4th Ave.
  • Sandra Schmirler Centre - 3130 East Woodhams Dr.
  • Sportsplex - Field House - 1717 Elphinstone St.
  • Superstore on Rochdale Boulevard - 2055 Prince of Wales Dr.
  • Superstore on the corner of Prince of Wales and Highway #1
  • Victoria Square Mall - 2223 Victoria Avenue East

The lifecycle of recycled paper

Waste paper collected in the Big Blue Bins is taken to the City of Regina's paper recycling depot.

At the depot, the paper is separated into various grades of used paper. It is then compacted and baled. The various grades of paper and cardboard bales are sold to different companies in western Canada for processing into paper and packaging products.

Most of the paper is recycled into cardboard egg cartons and fruit pallets. Cardboard is generally sold for recycling into asphalt shingles and cellulose insulation.

Some of these recycled paper products are sold in the Regina market, where customers use these products and recycle them yet again using the Big Blue Bin program.