Lakes District residents can now take their packaging and printed paper recyclables to a one-stop recycling centre – the Burns Lake Recycling Depot.
Located at 113 Park Street in Burns Lake, the new depot started collecting recyclables on June 2, 2015.
“People [in the Lakes District] no longer have to transport things like plastics to Prince George and the Okanagan or farther to recycle them,” said owner Christopher Beach.
The Burns Lake Recycling Depot joined the Multi-Material B.C. (MMBC) network of nearly 200 depots. The depot accepts all materials in MMBC’s residential packaging and printed paper recycling program, including non-deposit glass bottles and jars, plastic bags and plastic foam packaging, newsprint, cardboard, household papers, metal containers, plastic containers, and cartons and paper cups. The depot also collects batteries and mobile phones, smoke and C02 detectors, and all light bulbs.
According to Beach, this is the first one-stop recycling centre in the Lakes District, and the first depot in area to offer a MMBC program.
“Our new depot represents an unprecedented level of local convenience having myriad new recycling programs in a central location under one roof,” said Beach. “I believe the only other depot in our regional district that compares, with all services at one location (beverage, residential and commercial) is Smithers.”
The recycling depot works with the Encorp steward, which collects and recycles electronics and beverage containers. When containers are brought to the depot, the customer is refunded the deposit that was paid on the container at the time of purchase. All other materials collected at the new depot are non-deposit. LightRecycle, AlarmRecycle and Call2Recycle are other stewards that the Burns Lake Recycling Depot is working with.
“We will keep trying to add new collection programs,” said Beach. “Hopefully soon we will collect small appliances and power tools.”
Beach said the response from the public about the new facility and its recycling programs has been incredibly positive.
“Our philosophy is to make the most convenient and comprehensive recycling centre as possible,” said Beach. We believe these services should be available to everyone in the B.C., not just to those living in the Lower Mainland or the larger cities.”
“This is a recycling centre that people can feel proud to support and will allow them to play an active role in helping to expand and grow its services,” he added. “With continued local support we will be able to keep growing our business, keep improving our facility and keep increasing recycling programs.”
Additional details about MMBC’s residential packaging and printed paper recycling program, including the full list of materials that are accepted, are available at www.recyclinginbc.ca
