Recycle Notice Board

Belcarra's Recycle & Refuse Depot has taken on a new look! The changes are in the form of new security cameras and restricted access to better serve Belcarra residents. As we move forward in meeting Metro Vancouver’s Zero Waste Challenge goal to reduce landfill disposal by 70%, every opportunity to enhance recycling must be explored, and this webpage is intended to provide Belcarra residents with the information they require to do their part to Reduce, Reuse & Recycle. Metro Vancouver also offers a searchable database – called Metro Vancouver Recycles – to help find "green homes" for a wide range of materials.

For the most part, Belcarra's Recycle & Refuse Depot is a credit to the residents who respect its function and limit their drop-off materials to only those materials which are permitted. The Belcarra Recycle & Refuse Depot on occasion receives items which are not accepted at Metro Vancouver's waste transfer facilties. New regulations now prohibit throwing banned & restricted materials, hazardous wastes, composting & yard trimmings, as well as recyclable materials into the garbage. Trucks dumping waste at the region’s waste transfer stations will be charged a 50% surcharge if the load contains more than 5% recyclable material. These regulations are intended to reduce solid waste going to our region’s landfills and increase recycling as part of Metro Vancouver’s Zero Waste Challenge.

In addition, prohibiting the drop-off of some materials is directly related to both personal and environment health and safety hazards; for example, medical syringes used by diabetics. Taking care to drop-off only those items which are acceptable at the facility, and taking the care to appropriately sort household refuse, will continue to keep the facility as a cost effective way of disposing of household refuse.

DO NOT DROP-OFF large appliances such as hot water tanks, stoves, dish washers, refrigerators, etc., at the recycle & refuse facility. You can drop-off large appliances at the Wastech Transfer Station located at 1200 United Boulevard in Coquitlam which is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information contact 604-521-1715.

E-Waste Bin:
Electronic household goods such as televisions, radios, tape recorders, CD players, computers, computer monitors, keyboards, scanners, printers and other computer periferals, fax machines, telephones, small kitchen appliances such as microwaves and toaster ovens, and small electric hand tools such as drills, saws, grinders and sanders.

Garbage Compactor:
Bagged or loose household garbage ONLY --- DO NOT DISPOSE banned & restricted materials, hazardous wastes, composting & yard trimmings, or recyclable materials into the garbage compactor.

Paper Compactor:
Clear bagged or loose, newsprint, magazines, flyers, catalogues, junk mail, cereal boxes, cardboard, corrugated cartons & boxes, milk cartons, telephone books, computer paper, office paper, and paper bags.
DO NOT DISPOSE styrofoam, recyclable materials or garbage in the paper compactor.

Recycle Bin:
Clear bagged or loose, coloured or clear glass, milk jugs, bottles, shampoo & conditioners, aluminum cans, and metal cans. Soft plastic bags such as grocery bags, produce bags, and dry cleaning bags should be placed in the separate plastic bag bin.
DO NOT DISPOSE styrofoam, cardboard, paper or garbage in the recycle bin.

Home Electronics, clothing and other reusable items are given away free of charge to those in need via Salvation Army Family Services Centers and the balance is sold to the public at affordable prices through the Salvation Army Thrift Stores. The funds generated are used to help finance the numerous Salvation Army programs both locally and nationally.
2520 Davies Avenue
Port Coquitlam, BC, V3C 4T7
Phone: 604-944-8747
Fax: 604-944-3158
web: www.sanro.org

What can you do to promote take-back programs in our region?

• Contact the Recycling Council of BC and find out the right way to recycle or dispose of products.
• Spread the word. Tell your neighbours, friends, school or work mates about the take-back programs.
• Write the B.C. Ministry of Environment. Tell them you like take-back programs and that you want more.
• Look for more take-back programs for more products in the future. There are other products under consideration for take-back programs.

Eco-fees on products
When you buy many products with a take-back program, you’ll pay an eco-fee to cover the cost of recycling. It’s not a tax, meaning it doesn’t go to the government. The eco-fee goes directly to the take-back program to pay for the cost of recycling or safe disposal. Eco-fees are adjusted regularly to reflect actual costs.

• Asphalt Shingles: Gemaco Sales Ltd. opened a Shingle Recycling Facility on January 4^th, 2010, in Annacis Island Industrial Park. Contact: Terry Charles at 1-800-663-7574 or 250-859-1272.


• Automotive Fluids Disposal: Canadian Tire, 2850 Shaughnessy Street, Port Coquitlam. Motor oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, brake fluid, oil filters and the empty containers. Visit Used Oil Recycling website or the B.C. Ministry of Environment used lubricating oil webpage for more information.


• Backyard Composting: Metro Vancouver's publication entitled Here's The Dirt: Backyard Composting.


• Beverage & Milk Containers: Includes all containers of ready-to-drink beverages like milk, juice, pop, water, iced tea, sport drinks, beer, wine, cooler and spirit containers. Most points-of-purchase accept returns of beverage containers (grocery store, liquor store, etc.) and Return-It depots accept all deposit containers. Visit the Return-It milk container and beverage container webpages for more information.


• Cell Phones: Visit RecycleMyCell.ca to find-out where to take unwanted cell phones, smartphones, pagers, wireless PDAs, external aircards, headsets, chargers, batteries and other accessories – regardless of brand or condition. There are numerous Recycle My Cell drop-off sites in the Tri-Cities area which include most retail stores that sell cell phones.


• Compact Flourescent Light (CFL) Bulbs: CFL light bulbs can be disposed at the IKEA store, 1000 Lougheed Highway, Coquitlam, BC, phone 604-636-1000. The IKEA CFL light bulb recycle receptacle is opposite their refunds & returns area in the store.


• Construction Waste: The Coquitlam Construction and Garden Waste Facility is located at 1001 United Boulevard (West of King Edward Street) in Coquitlam, and is open Monday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information visit the Wastech Services website, or call 604-526-6570.


• Electronic Waste: For more information on BC's electronic waste recycling program, visit the B.C. Ministry of Environment electronics and electrical equipment product webpage or the Return-It electronics webpage.


• Fluorescent Light Bulbs: Both tube-type and compact fluorescent light bulbs can be taken to NuLife Industries in Aldergrove; call (604) 857-5588 for details on disposal. You can also contact the Recycling Council of BC at 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253) for further information.


• Household Hazardous Waste: Biggar Bottle Depot, 2577 Kingsway Avenue in Port Coquitlam. This depot takes items such as paint, pesticides, solvents, etc. For more information contact 604-945-3313, visit the B.C. Product Care website which contains links and locations to safe disposal sites throughout the Lower Mainland, or contact the RCBC Recycling Hotline has staff on hand to answer your questions about safe disposal 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253).


• Large Appliances: You can drop-off large appliances at the Wastech Transfer Station located at 1200 United Boulevard in Coquitlam, which is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information contact 604-521-1715.


• Lead-Acid (Car) Batteries: For more information on BC's lead-acid battery program, and to find convenient drop-off sites near you, visit the B.C. Ministry of Environment lead-acid battery webpage or the Recycling Council of BC at 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253). You can also drop-off lead-acid (car) batteries at the Wastech Transfer Station, 1200 United Boulevard in Coquitlam, which is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information contact 604-521-1715.


• Medications & Needles: Products include: prescription drugs, non-prescription medicines like Aspirin, herbal products, mineral supplements, vitamin supplements and throat lozenges. For environmentally responsible disposal, expired or unused medicines and used medical injection needles can be returned to the Pharmasave pharmacy at 221 Ioco Road in Port Moody; contact 604-461-1541. For more information visit the Medications Return Program website or contact the Recycling Council of BC at 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253).


• Propane Tanks: You can drop-off propane tanks at the Wastech Transfer Station, 1200 United Boulevard in Coquitlam, which is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information contact 604-521-1715.


• Rechargeable Batteries: Includes rechargeable batteries found in cordless power tools, cell phones, laptops, etc. Drop-off locations at many area stores. Visit Call To Recycle for complete list of locations, or contact the Recycling Council of BC at 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253).


• Reusable Furniture: Canadian Diabetes Association, contact 604-882-2511 for more information; or the Developmental Disabilities Association, contact 604-273-4332 for more information.


• Special Waste Materials: For specific information regarding special waste materials, contact the Recycling Council of BC at 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253).


• Vehicle Tires: Tire Stewardship BC is a not-for-profit organization formed to manage the scrap tire recycling program on behalf of tire retailers in the province. Most tire retailers will take back your used tires. Visit Tire Stewardship BC or the B.C. Ministry of Environment tire stewardship webpage for more information. You can also drop-off used tires at the Wastech Transfer Station, 1200 United Boulevard in Coquitlam, which is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information contact 604-521-1715.


• Worm Composting: Metro Vancouver's publication entitled Here's The Dirt: Worm Composting.


• Yard Waste (large quantities): The Coquitlam Construction and Garden Waste Facility is located at 1001 United Boulevard (West of King Edward Street) in Coquitlam, and is open Monday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They accept: clean green or yard waste – green branches, small stumps (max 10" diameter), grass clippings, weeds, tree prunings, and garden refuse. For more information visit the Wastech Services website, or call 604-526-6570.

For more information on the "Do's and Donot's" of recycling, please refer to the
Belcarra Recycle Guide (575Kb)