Updated: Thu Jun. 11 2009 11:59:04

ctvbc.ca

The economic downturn has hit the market for recycled materials -- and that could mean British Columbians will be paying more to stay green.

New Westminster's recycling depot will no longer be accepting soft plastics, including bags.

"The company that we had coming by, they are no longer in business," New Westminster environmental coordinator Jennifer Lukianchuk said. "That's mainly because of the economic downturn."

And it's not just plastic bags. Waste management officials in Vancouver say mixed paper has gone from $135 per tonne to $15 per tonne in two months, and newsprint experienced a similar drop.

Recycling is now significantly less profitable for both the processing industry, and the cities that share in the revenue - which could end up hitting homeowners in the wallet.

"You may find that your taxes will go up at a municipal level," Mairi Welman of the B.C. Recycling Council said.

"This time last year you were getting $200 a tonne for cardboard, now you're getting $20. So the rug was pulled out from under a lot of business."

The type of businesses hit are the ones cities contract to either collect or process their recycling - a service residents pay for.

"The rate is set by council at the end of every year, and if there are more expenditures anticipated for the next year the rate may have to increase," said Chris Underwood, manger of Vancouver waste management.

The Recycling Council has launched an online database to connect people with recycling service in their area.

Related: The B.C. Recycling Council website

As for New Westminster - it's hoping to have another plastic bag collector lined up soon. In the meantime, residents are being asked to remember the other two R's -- reduce and reuse.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Maria Weisgarber