A new digital system for returning recyclable containers at the 亚洲天堂 Lake Recycling Depot promises to make the process quicker, less messy and potentially boost local recycling rates.
The Return-It Express program allows users to drop off unsorted containers in clear plastic bags and receive credit in their online account.
鈥淢y brother was the first one here to try it out, and it was shocking how fast it was. The whole process only took a couple of minutes,鈥� said Chris Beach, owner of the 亚洲天堂 Lake Recycling Depot.
To use the system, customers must download the Return-It app and create an account. At the depot, they enter their phone number at a digital kiosk, which prints a label to attach to the bag. The bag is then dropped through a designated window, and staff handle the sorting and counting. Funds will be transfered to the users account within two days.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important people bring their returns in a clear bag that the employees can see through. There can鈥檛 be any garbage in it; just your returns,鈥� Beach said.
The system is intended for household use, with a current limit of six bags and approximately 250 containers per bag. While not designed for bottle drives or large-scale events, the streamlined process aims to make individual recycling easier and more appealing.
鈥淵ou never have to count again, or sort. It saves you the hassle. Those few minutes of setting up an account is all it takes, and you鈥檙e set. You never have to sort again,鈥� Beach said.
Although the Return-It Express program has been operating in other parts of B.C. for several years, the 亚洲天堂 Lake depot introduced it in a soft launch a few weeks ago.
鈥淲e hope people with, say, $5 worth of cans who normally wouldn鈥檛 bother might see how easy it is now and decide to start recycling,鈥� Beach said.
Local mailouts promoting the new service are expected soon, but the system is already active and available for use.
