British Columbia’s producer responsibility program is expanding its curbside recycling for packaging and printed paper to more than 55,000 additional households for five communities in the province.

The industry-funded, Vancouver-based Multi-Material British Columbia (MMBC) is adding curbside collection to Coquitlam July 2, Anmore Aug. 1, and Quesnel, Prince George and University Endowment Lands in September, according to a news release.

About 25,000 of the residents getting the new service will be receiving curbside recycling for the first time, MMBC said.

Non-profit MMBC began rolling out service in May, starting with more than 1.25 million British Columbia residents.

MMBC also continues to expand its network of more than 160 depots. On July 15 the Armstrong Bottle Depot and the Venture Bottle Depot in Lumby began accepting MMBC materials.

In May 2011, British Columbia updated its Recycling Regulation to include packaging and printed paper. The regulation shifts the responsibility for managing the residential recycling of packaging and printed paper from regional and municipal governments and their taxpayers to business.

The province has set a recycling goal of 75 percent, compared with the current rate of 53 percent.

Through the MMBC program British Columbia residents may recycle new categories of packaging that are not included in many current curbside or depot recycling programs, including takeout beverage cups, aerosol containers, milk cartons, plant pots, aluminum foil and plastic film packaging. 

MMBC represents more than 900 member businesses.