Due to the unprecedented flooding and resulting road closures, recycling centres in the Cowichan Valley will be unable to accept glass and foam packaging until further notice.
Starting Nov. 22, Recycle BC has suspended the collection of all glass and foam packaging (white and coloured) from Recycle BC depots, which includes Bings Creek, Meade Creek and Peerless Road Recycling Centres.
With transportation corridors compromised due to road closures, these materials cannot be moved reliably from receiving facilities to end markets.
Flooding has ceased operations at the primary glass recycling facility in the Lower Mainland, and has affected the availability of trucks for hauling materials, further compounding these challenges.
“We are asking residents to please hang on to glass and foam packaging until we receive notice that the networks are restored,” said Doug Stevens, manager of operations for recycling and waste management at the Cowichan Valley Regional District.
“Please do not put these materials in the curbside recycling totes as they will break into unrecoverable pieces and create a health and safety hazard to workers.”
A timeline has not yet been established for when Recycle BC will resume collection of these materials, but the CVRD will provide an update to residents when more information is available.