Phase 3 update: Recycling During COVID-19
Physical Distancing Required
We’re working hard to keep recycling during COVID-19 safe!
Last update: June 9, 2020
Now that more businesses are re-opening and people are venturing outside of their homes, we want to share our updated Phase 3 Response Plan and our dedication to continue supporting the communities we serve. We are committed to do everything we can to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our clients and our team.
During the past few months, we’ve experienced an increased demand of recycling services. This has been clear to us as people have shifted their habits to consume at home, and need full access to our depots to safely recycle their unwanted electronics and other items. As a result, all Regional Recycling depots are open full hours, and some of our depots are open extended summer hours.
One service that we’ve found that has really taken off is our quick drop-off solution: Fast Drop. This is a contact-less service that allows you to earn your full refund without the hassle of sorting your containers. Please visit one of our participating depots and speak with a team member to get started.
Our response plan has been updated to reflect BC’s Restart Plan, and we will continue providing an important service for clients who rely on immediate access to their refunds. We are happy to say that we have not had any coronavirus cases at our depots, and we are determined to staying open as our province returns back to normal.
Another important touch-point that has seen an impact is with our cherished community partners and organizations. In particular, BackPack Buddies is a local charity that needs help more than ever to fill the weekend hunger gap for vulnerable children.
Some of the new measures we have undertaken at our depots include:
phase 3 RESPONSE PLAN
- SOCIAL DISTANCING: Staff and customers are to keep a 6 ft. distance during all interactions.
- Customers are to sort outside; all product must be brought into the depot on a cart.
- Limits are in place for the amount of people inside the depot at a given time.
- Carts and sorting tables will be disinfected every time they are used.
- PPE safety gear is being used by all staff members.
To further ensure the safety of our customers and our team, we’re asking all customers to follow these requirements:
- Do NOT visit our depots if you have been out of the country, have been in contact with someone who has been out of the country, or if you are feeling ill.
- WASH or SANITIZE your hands frequently using our hand sanitizing stations. AVOID touching your face.
The health of our customers and our team is our top priority during this unprecedented time. We are doing our very best to ensure the safety of our service that so many in our communities rely upon.
* All locations except for Nanaimo depots are participating in the Fast Drop program.
Well done!
Thank you Carl! Stay well.
are milk bottles eligible?
Hi Diana, most milk and milk substitute containers do not have a deposit refund value. If milk is listed as the 4th or higher ingredient in your drink, then the empty container is worth money.
Will your depos ever become a part of the extremely popular Return It Express program?
HI Michael, We are currently launching a Quick Drop option at our Lower Mainland locations that will allow you to drop your bagged refundable containers for us to sort and count at the depot. We’ll then let you know when your refund is ready. This option allows you to drop and go, without having to stand in line or to sort. You can check with the depot team to learn more.
Which Vancouver depot is accepting bottle donations for Backpack Buddies? I would prefer to drop off our recyclables at this time.
Hi Lori, sorry for the delay. Our location at 960 EVANs (just off Terminal) is accepting donations.
is the cloverdale depot accepting recycling for back pack buddies
Hi Jim, Thanks for checking on this. Yes – Cloverdale is collecting for the Backpack Buddies program.
Hi Burnaby Bottle. Is it possible to bring the cans to you…pre-sorted?
Hi Kelg, Pre-sorted containers are great!
This is such a well thought out and reasonable response. Thank you
Thanks David! Aprreciate your comments. Stay well.
I think you have a safe and sound Response Plan
Well done!
Thanks Bob! Stay well.
That is so great as i used to go at your faciclity yes while i was homeless collecti g can and bottle fed myself.and my dogs well done
Thank you for all the good work that you do.
Thanks Roxanne! Stay well.
Is the bottle depot back to regular hours.. 5:00 or 5:30.
Hi Dan, all of our depots are operating as normal. Nanaimo just resumed weekend hours – they are open M-F 8:30 – 5PM, Sat 8:30 – 4PM and Sunday 10 – 4. They are closed on Stat holidays. Thank you for recycling with us!
Is the express return service still available at this time?
Hi Steve. While we don’t do express, we do have a convenient drop off service at all of our Lower Mainland locations. You can learn more at your closest depot.
I cannot seem to find where I can drop off containers for BackPack Buddies. Please tell us where and how to do this.
Hi there, sorry for the delay. All of our Regional Recycling lower mainland locations are accepting donations.
Sounds like conscientious planning and organizing. Many thanks.
Thanks so much Gerry!
Hi – This is Wilma and William Greenwood we just sent you a question – about the Fee service – along with undertaking the bottles and wine – About 40 bags – and request for someone to go through this process for us … We will keep the bottles and bring them to the depot – as we have been doing for – a little over two years now – Thank you for reading our messages and we will see you soon when we arrange for a truck to bring the bags of bottles to your bottle depot – Sincerely yours, Wilma and William Greenwood
Thank you so much for recycling with us!!
You guys and gals are the best. Always have been.
Hi Kevin, thank you so much!! We’ll make sure to pass your compliments on to all of our team members who are working hard to serve our communities. 🙂
i fully agree that this recycling depot is a vital service for i am one of those that relies in that bottle refund to feed and cloth my self on top of the gov check which is 20 years below poverty .Again i thank you
Hi Steven, happy to serve our communities!! Please stay well.
You contradicted yourself .
First you say u understand that people need money to pay bills and you proceed to tell this long message to read that your closed !
So you really don’t understand that people need money. Yes the virus is serious but so are people’s lives and feeding kids .
Hi Cory, all of our lower mainland locations have remained open for their regular hours throughout the pandemic. Our Nanaimo locations were closed for a couple of weeks while they figured out how best to safely serve our clients and protect team members. Currently they are open normal operating hours.
When will the Nanaimo locations reopen?
Hi there. Both our Nanaimo locations are currently open 8:30 AM – 4PM Monday – Friday.
Hi Regional Recycling,
Are the Nanaimo locations currently available to take appliances such as electric stove ranges. Thanks.
Hi Tom, Our Nanaimo locations are both open and will take large household appliances including electric ranges. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Where can we drop off cans and bottles for backpack buddies in Nanaimo?
Unfortunately no, but our Nanaimo location does accept beverage container donations for local Nanaimo charity partners. You can learn who their current charity partner is when you drop your containers for donation.
Do you have an express program in place that if the cans have been sorted at home with the amounts in bags then we can drop off quickly for a return/refund?
Hi Lindsey, Yes, all of our lower Mainland locations are trying a convenient drop off service that will allow you to provide your details, drop your containers and then pick up your refund at a later date. Our team will sort and count your returns for you and let you know when your refund is ready for pickup – about 5 business days.
Is there a way to drop off donations, but not use the green bin? Don’t the bottles break when they go in there?
Hi Brenda, thanks for checking on this. You can put all of your donated beverage containers into a large bag and just drop them off with us. No need to dump into bins. Thanks for your generosity!
Is there a charge to dropping off the containers and having the depot sort them?
And is glass OK to put in clear plastic bags for drop off?
Hi there. There is no charge for dropping off containers and having our depot team sort them for you. After the team sorts and counts they will contact you to let you know when your refund is ready for pickup – usually within a few days. Yes if it is a glass beverage container, it can be placed in the bag. Try not to fit too many in one bag, as normal plastic bags may rip when they’re under too much weight.
Is Nanaimo opened yet?
If not, when? THANKS
Hi Frances, Yes! Excited to share that our Nanaimo Depots are open M-F 8:30 – 5, Sat 8:30 – 4 and Sunday 10 – 4PM. They are both closed on Stat holidays. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Do you accept the large 19.8L jugs of water bottles for refund?
Hi Joan, We do accept the large green costco ones. You can also check on the returnit.ca website under brand registry.
Do you take sorted plastic? Sort, crinkly, etc? Parksville no longer does and I am looking for options. Thank you…
Hi Marlene, yes only our Nanaimo depots accept residential plastic packaging: https://www.regionalrecycling.ca/nanaimo-recycling-depot/
Hello. I have glass growler bottles with the resealable lids. The metal clip over the resealable lids. Is there a refund for those? If not,, do you take them to recycle
Hi Robert, I am sorry we do not recycle those. We recommend that you contact the RCBC Recycling Hotline at 604-RECYCLE, or visit their online app to search for a location near you: https://www.rcbc.ca/recyclepedia/search
Does the Cloverdale (Surrey BC) location offer the fast drop option? if so, how does it work? Also, can I recycle items such as old luggages?
Hi Thyago, Thanks for checking on this. Yes, our Cloverdale location (and all our lower mainland locations) provides a fast drop solution where we will sort and count your containers for you and let you know when you can pick up your refund. The team at the depot will be able to assist you with this.
Unfortunately we do not recycle luggage. The Recycle BC Hotline 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253) will be able to help you with that.
Hello, which location does “fast drop” (Seen on website) and what are the steps or do you need to sign up beforehand?
Hi Cindy, Thanks for checking on this. All of our mainland BC locations are providing a fast drop solution. You drop your bagged, unsorted containers with a team member who’ll document what you left and collect your contact information. We’ll sort and count the containers for you, then contact you to let you know that your refund is ready for pickup. No need to sign up before-hand, just ask one of our depot team members to get you set up when you come in with your bagged containers. We look forward to seeing you soon.
I have Kombucha glass bottles, some with labels, some without. Are any of these refundable? I am assuming that the unlabelled ones can be recycled but no deposit return?
Hi Maggie, You can check with the Return-It brand registry to see if any of your containers are included in the beverage container recycling program : https://www.return-it.ca/registeredbrands/ Those that are registered can be returned to the depot for a deposit refund. We look forward to seeing you.
Does glass have to be removed from metal frame windows before the metal can be placed in your metal bin.
Thanks Brenda, yes please. We can accept metal frames as scrap metal, but do not recycle glass so cannot take windows.