DCHP-3

blue box

DCHP-2 (Oct 2016)

Spelling variants:
Blue Box, blue-box

n. & adj. — often in compounds, e.g. blue-box program, blue box recycling

a container for the collection of recyclable materials (see Image 1).

Type: 1. Origin — The first curbside collection program for recyclables in Canada was implemented in Kitchener, Ontario, in 1981 (see Stewardship Ontario: 10). The colour blue was chosen for practical reasons, including protection against degradation from ultraviolet rays and its visibility in snow (see Pollution Probe: 7-8). These boxes are now used across Canada to collect a variety of recyclable household waste items.
The UK uses similar programs, also sometimes referred to as blue box (see Chart 1), but the predominant term there is blue bin (see blue bin Chart 1).
See also COD-2, s.v. "blue box" (1), which is marked "Cdn", Gage-5, s.v. "blue bin", which is marked "Cdn.", ITP Nelson, s.v. "blue bin", and OED-3, s.v. "blue box" (2), which is marked as "orig. Canad.".

Quotations

1983
In the hope that the recycling industry will soon get a big boost, a group of Metro area municipal public works officials will shortly visit Kitchener to view the ''blue box" system of recycling.
1990
During the 1980s, the first "baby steps" were taken to reverse the march toward environmental destruction, she said, noting that Ontario's blue box recycling program and new controls on the emissions that lead to acid rain were both successful initiatives.
1995
Edmonton is miles ahead of us, with a deluxe Blue Box system which picks up 13 types of recyclables, including plastic, at the doorstep.
2000
Two raccoons were pawing through the neighbours' Blue Box across the street, turning over the bottles and cans.
2011
Blue was the favoured colour because it was visible against grass and snow and able to withstand ultra-violet light. In 1983, the blue-box program was launched throughout Kitchener, affecting 35,000 households.
2014
'There are many on our street in Riverdale who do not opt for the dank Beer Store experience. We put our empties in the blue box, and within hours they are gone. A whole subeconomy has grown,' writes Daniel Kushner. 'Why drive to the Beer Store and then stand in line for ages to recoup a couple of bucks?'

References

Images

Image 1: A <i>blue box</i> in Vancouver, BC. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Photo: Wwongbc

Image 1: A blue box in Vancouver, BC. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Photo: Wwongbc

Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 7 Feb. 2014

Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 7 Feb. 2014