Time to Sort Smart!

It’s time for businesses, organizations, multi-family residences and others to Sort Smart and Waste Less!

Three-stream sorting is now required for everyone in the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) – that includes businesses, schools, health care facilities, places of worship, apartments and condos and more.

Separate – clearly labeled – collection containers are required for food scraps (food and food-soiled paper), recycling (paper/cardboard and containers), and landfill items/garbage for those who live, work or have a business in the RDN.

Our goal is zero waste – you can help by becoming a Sort Smart Partner.

If you are looking for information about waste collection for single-family homes, click here.

We Can Help: Do you oversee recycling and waste management at your workplace or multi-family residence and are looking to understand new three-stream sorting requirements? You are in the right place! Book your free Sort Smart Technical Assistance onsite visit today and take advantage of the opportunity to be recognized as a Sort Smart Partner in our community. Reach out to us at zerowaste@rdn.bc.ca or 250-390-6576.

To learn more:

  • Check out the Information for All with Sort Smart Resources and Tools
  • See our FAQS, we will update these as we listen and learn.
  • Visit the Mandatory Waste Source Separation Bylaw here.
  • Ask us a question below and we will do our best to answer publicly.


It’s time for businesses, organizations, multi-family residences and others to Sort Smart and Waste Less!

Three-stream sorting is now required for everyone in the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) – that includes businesses, schools, health care facilities, places of worship, apartments and condos and more.

Separate – clearly labeled – collection containers are required for food scraps (food and food-soiled paper), recycling (paper/cardboard and containers), and landfill items/garbage for those who live, work or have a business in the RDN.

Our goal is zero waste – you can help by becoming a Sort Smart Partner.

If you are looking for information about waste collection for single-family homes, click here.

We Can Help: Do you oversee recycling and waste management at your workplace or multi-family residence and are looking to understand new three-stream sorting requirements? You are in the right place! Book your free Sort Smart Technical Assistance onsite visit today and take advantage of the opportunity to be recognized as a Sort Smart Partner in our community. Reach out to us at zerowaste@rdn.bc.ca or 250-390-6576.

To learn more:

  • Check out the Information for All with Sort Smart Resources and Tools
  • See our FAQS, we will update these as we listen and learn.
  • Visit the Mandatory Waste Source Separation Bylaw here.
  • Ask us a question below and we will do our best to answer publicly.


Questions about the new program?

Share them here and the project team will respond!

Please note: 

  • We ask that only questions related to the project are asked here. Information provided here will not be shared with the RDN Board of Directors. 
  • To protect your privacy and the privacy of others, please do not include any information that could identify you or another person. Identifying information could include a person’s name, address, email or phone number. Questions that contain personal information will not be published.

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Page last updated: 06 Mar 2026, 12:32 PM