A pop-up recycling depot in Parksville was a massive hit with residents and will see its operations continue into 2024. (submitted photo)

By Ian Holmes

popular service

‘We want to become a permanent recycling centre:’ Parksville waste diversion service continues

Dec 14, 2023 | 5:23 AM

PARKSVILLE — A popular non curbside recycling service for the Parksville Qualicum Beach area is far more than a flash in the pan.

The Parksville Community Centre Society (PCCS) and Recycle BC recently signed a contract for the local non-profit organization to operate out of 1080 Industrial Way for 23 Saturday’s in 2024.

PCCS president Duane Round calls the new agreement a substantial development for a community which long had no local venue to properly dispose of household plastics, foam and glass products.

Paper and cardboard products, acceptable for curbside blue bins, are also welcomed free of charge at the south Parksville site.

“The Community’s just been very thankful, they’re able to drop the stuff off here in our community, not have to drive to Nanaimo and Courtenay, or unfortunately some were sending it to the landfill,” Round told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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Next year’s drop-off dates will take place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

A full schedule is linked here.

PCCS volunteers help direct users to appropriate disposal bins and also educate people on where other items it can’t accept can properly be disposed of.

Those with mobility issues can have PCCS volunteers take their post-use items to the correct bin for them.

Round said the sky is the limit for this program locally.

“We’re hoping to continue this program, we want to become a permanent recycling centre here, we’re looking at adding other objects like paint, lightbulbs, batteries, those types of things that we’re not able to collect at this time.”

Round noted the 1080 Industrial Way site is a large property which their service only uses a small portion of roughly twice a month and is fully supported by the landlord.

He hopes their next contract with Recycle BC can be longer to help further stability for their organization as well as the general public.

“If we can get a longer term contract that would be the best thing then we could do more long range planning.”

Contracts between Recycle BC and the bottle depots in Parksville and Qualicum Beach to accept several recyclable materials free of charge expired early in 2020, leaving a noticeable void in the community.

A statement from Recycle BC outlined its excitement to continue offering recycling collection events in Parksvillle in partnership with the PCCS.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes