A pop-up recycle depot in Parksville will continue through the first six months of 2026, helping divert countless materials from local landfills. (Parksville Community Centre Society)

By Alex Rawnsley

six more months

Pop-up Parksville recycle depot extended, discussions continue on permanent solution

Jan 8, 2026 | 11:01 AM

PARKSVILLE — Local organizers and Recycle BC confirmed a six month extension for a popular, temporary recycle depot serving the Oceanside region.

Lacking local options for bulk recycling, the depot at 1080 Industrial Way in south Parksville will be available every other Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting on Jan. 10 and running through June 27.

Run by Parksville Community Centre Society, interim president Albert Ruel said it’s an immensely popular offering for people looking to responsibly dispose of material either too large, or not accepted as part of regional residential curbside collection services.

“When we do it, it’s very busy. I think our lowest day we’ve had about 400 cars through the gate, and I think the last time was our busiest in terms of cars where we had over 700 cars come through the gate. On an average day, we fill about 95 super sacks, four foot-by-four foot by four foot sacks. We’ve had days as high as 150 super sacks of recycling that we keep out of the landfill.”

Accepted materials include flexible plastic packaging, both white and coloured styrofoam, non-deposit glass bottles and jars, as well as paper packaging and cardboard.

Best in Sport

Nanaimo celebrates Sport Achievement Awards and Hall of Fame inductions

1h ago

ROAD WORKS

Another multi-hour closure planned for Hwy. 4 at Cameron Lake

6h ago

Bruender Magic

Clippers top Chiefs in overtime thriller

8h ago

Operating in community since 2023, the depot helps Oceanside residents avoid drives to Nanaimo, Courtenay or Port Alberni for recycling services.

Ruel is hopeful the service can expand, with conversations already underway.

“Our former president Duane Round, who passed away suddenly in November, he had certainly been engaged with Recycle BC to do a two day a week depot at the same site. When Duane left us, we just asked Recycle BC to pause that process so that the rest of us could get our feet back under us.

Ruel said the six month extension of the pop-up model will give them some needed time, with the hopes of expanding to a two-day-per-week model by mid-year.

A full list of dates for the pop-up depot are:

• January 10 and 24
• February 7 and 21
• March 7 and 21
• April 11 and 25
• May 2, 16 and 30
• June 13 and 27

Follow us on Facebook. Join Everything Nanaimo on Facebook and stay connected with everything happening on central Vancouver Island.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook