West coast residents understand the work it takes for everyone to reduce their impact on the environment. Whether it’s through the quick pick up of roadside organics collection, or the diligence to reusing materials – it’s clear that the Sort’nGo mission of reducing landfill waste is important to many.
That’s why it was particularly difficult to have the Ucluelet recycling depot close in March this year – leaving residents without a local way to manage many recyclable materials, and creating a disruption in this important service.
But this story ends with great news: As of May 15, you can now bring all your Recycle BC materials to the Ucluelet Bottle Depot, Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What Goes to the Depot
Residents can drop off all accepted residential packaging and paper materials at the depot, which is part of the Recycle BC program. This is particularly important for things that aren’t collected in the roadside program, such as flexible plastics (ie: plastic bags and outer wraps), glass containers and styrofoam.
For a full list, visit recyclebc.ca/what-can-i-recycle-2
DID YOU KNOW: In early 2023, Recycle BC expanded their list of approved items – great news! This means you can now recycle items like plastic hangers, plastic cutlery and straws, plastic sandwich and freezer bags and aluminum foil wrap.
Be a Depot Pro
Recycling depots can be busy places – you can help by having your recycling pre-sorted before arriving. It’s much easier to do in your own driveway or home beforehand and will make your visit short and sweet. Unsure about an item? Hold onto it and check with the staff on hand at the depot, or check the app (see more info below!).
A few reminders:
- · Please clean your containers before sending your recycling to the roadside bin or the depot.
- · Flexible plastics can all go together now! (An update in early 2023 for Recycle BC combined the “plastic bags and overwrap” and “other flexible packaging” categories into one – making it easier than ever to make sure this material is recycled.
- · The recycling depot only collects residential recycling. Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional is not included in the Recycle BC program at this time.
DID YOU KNOW: Over 97 per cent of plastic collected in B.C. were sold to a local end-market in Metro Vancouver for use. It’s converted into a raw, pelletized material and then sold to be made into new products.
Sort’nGo App Reminder
Have a question about sorting before you head to the depot? Remember to download the Sort’nGo ACRD app on your smartphone to access the Waste Wizard search tool. It’ll tell you whether the item should be recycled at home, recycled at the depot, composted or (if all else fails) sent to the landfill.
Thanks to everyone on the West Coast for the continued effort to recycle – and congrats to the District of Ucluelet and Ucluelet Bottle Depot on this important partnership.
Visit www.letsconnectacrd.ca/sortngo-west-coast for more or download the free Sort’nGo ACRD app and start learning how to live simpler, and sort smarter.
