Did you know BC was the first region in North America to institute bottle recycling through a required deposit way back in 1971?
Today the province’s recycling program is not only far more comprehensive, but easier than ever, notes Savannah Paine, who owns Langley’s Willowbrook Recycling with daughter Sarah.
The family-owned-and-operated Return-It centre is marking its own milestone, celebrating 25 years of helping Langley residents divert tonnes of recyclables from the local landfill!
“I love that we divert tonnes and tonnes of refuse from the landfill every year, and support the recycling and reuse of so many materials,” Savannah says.
So much more than bottles!
Recent renovations have made Willowbrook Recycling lighter, brighter and easier to navigate, plus several new initiatives are designed to get you in and out in no time, including a new computerized system for quicker and easier tallying.
While they may have started with bottles, today Willowbrook Recycling is so much more!
The team welcomes electronics, including power tools, small appliances, paper and packaging, lighting, lamps and lightbulbs, batteries and latex-based paints (no oil-based paints or hazardous materials). The facility is essentially a collection hub for the stewards of these various items who then ensure they’re properly looked after.
Beyond a growing product list, the centre is also making recycling easier than ever.
- Business Accounts & Pick-up – Many businesses, sport and school fundraising projects hold accounts with Willowbrook Recycling. For business, it’s a super-simple way to look after returnables – there’s even a pick-up service available for a small fee – while fundraisers like the opportunity to collect funds throughout the season, in addition to events like bottle drives.
- Drop & Go – Simply bring your beverage containers in clear plastic bags to the cashier, who’ll receive your items and give you a receipt. You come back later when your items are processed and pick up your cash – it’s that easy! And if you’re dropping off three bags or fewer, there’s no processing fee.
While the drop & go options are popular, it’s important to note that no one should ever leave items on the property or in the building without first checking in with an attendant.
- Express Online – Encorp, BC’s beverage container steward, recently launched an online program with community return-it centres like Willowbrook Recycling that allows you to sign up online, print labels at an Express kiosk, drop off your bottles and go … then deposit your refund through Interac e-transfer. Could recycling be any easier?!
Donate your bottles for good
While many people save up their returnables to collect the cash deposit, if you’d like to put yours to good use in your community, Willowbrook Recycling is happy to help you do that!
Proceeds from donated bottles and cans go to BC Children’s Hospital, Variety Club, Salvation Army, the Wish Foundation and the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation. And for those signing up for the new online Express program, you can indicate where you’d like your donation to go.
And of course, if your group, team or organization wants to fundraise with a bottle drive, they can help you with that, too!
Ready to learn more? Stop by at 19641 60th Ave. or visit online at willowbrookrecycling.com
