VICTORIA –Recycling just got more convenient in Greater Victoria. Residents can now drop off their refundable beverage containers at the region’s first Return-It Express & GO recycling station, located at the Hartland Landfill operated by the Capital Regional District (CRD).
The new facility revolutionizes the recycling experience by allowing people to conveniently drop off their pre-bagged beverage containers without sorting and receive their deposit refunds via Interac e-Transfer or cheque. This builds on Return-It’s mission to improve recovery rates by making recycling even more convenient for British Columbians.
Consumers also have the option of supporting their local community and donating their beverage container refunds to a charitable organization of their choice. A wide range of organizations have been utilizing Express to support their fundraising efforts, especially during the pandemic.
Once a fundraising organization has created its free online Express account, Express users can donate their deposit funds to the specific charity and organizations’ accounts when they drop off their empty containers at the Express & GO recycling station. For more information on how charitable organizations can create an account and fundraise using Express, visit here.
The Express & GO model supports a growing need for innovative recycling infrastructure. Powered by solar energy, the station is housed in a 20-foot repurposed shipping container that will operate during the Hartland Landfill operating hours found here.
Among Return-It’s 175+ collection sites operating province wide, there are now nine Express & GO locations in BC.
“Return-It is excited to bring our first Express & GO station to Greater Victoria,” said Allen Langdon, President and CEO of Return-It. “With this new location, we can support accessibility and provide even more recycling solutions that are convenient for the community and encourage recycling. We want to thank the Capital Regional District and staff at the Hartland Landfill for their support and for making this possible.”
“The CRD is always looking for ways to expand our service offerings at Hartland Landfill and the new Express & GO station will help us fill a gap in our service,” said Russ Smith, Senior Manager, Environmental Resource Management, CRD. “Residents were always able to drop off refundable beverage containers at Hartland Landfill’s recycling depot, but they weren’t able to receive a refund. With the new Express & GO station, residents will now have the opportunity to receive a refund themselves or donate it to a charity. This continues to support Hartland’s depot in being a ‘one-stop shop’ for recycling a wide variety of items in the capital region.”
More information can be found at https://www.return-it.ca/express/expressandgo/.
To learn more about how you can fundraise or donate using the Express system, please click here.
Did you know?
Return-It recycles approximately 1 billion beverage containers a year, saving enough energy to power more than 40,000 homes for a full year. When we recycle, we are not just saving reusable raw materials. We are saving energy, trees and clean air. Plus, every plastic container is responsibly recycled right here in BC and Alberta, where they’re cleaned and broken down into plastic pellets that can be used to make new plastic bottles.
