The Comox Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM) unstaffed recycling depots located at Campbell River’s Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex and the Courtenay Country Market will close permanently this summer, effective July 1, 2020.
There are excellent alternative options for recycling in these communities, and residents are encouraged to instead utilize their municipal curbside recycling service for those who have access, or to drop off recyclables at one of the local Return-It depots or at either of the waste management centres in the region. These facilities are all supported by Recycle BC and accept any materials that can be recycled curbside, as well as glass, plastic bags, outer wrap and foam packaging.
“We want to uphold a great standard for recycling in our area, and these unstaffed depots were targets for illegal dumping that just don’t reflect the standard of service that we would like to see with our waste management service,” said Marc Rutten, General Manager of Engineering Services. “Thankfully, there are a number of Recycle BC supported options in our communities that allows us to recycle more items, more effectively.”
Not only do the alternative Recycle BC supported locations accept more streams of recyclable materials, staff are present to observe and correct sorting errors, and educate the public. By using these programs, residents ensure that their material is properly recycled and will therefore be diverting a larger volume of material. For depot locations near you visit www.cswm.ca/depots.
The Return-It depots in Courtenay, Comox, and Campbell River were closed temporarily due to COVID-19, but have now reopened with adjusted operations to ensure the safety of staff and customers. CSWM staff have worked closely with Return-It depot operators to coordinate communications as well as share best practices and information throughout the closure and reopening periods.
The Comox Strathcona Waste Management service is a function of the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) and is responsible for two regional waste management centres that serve the Comox Valley and Campbell River, as well as a range of transfer stations and smaller waste handling and recycling facilities for the electoral areas of the CVRD and the Strathcona Regional District. The CSWM service manages over 100,000 tonnes of waste and recycled material and oversees a number of diversion and education programs.
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Media Contact:
Marc Rutten
General Manager of Engineering Services Branch
Comox Valley Regional District
Tel: 250-334-6080