recycling resources

Recycling Resources to Declutter Like a Pro

/in , , , , , /by

Are you busy cleaning out your garage? Do you need to recycle old bicycles and broken Christmas lights? Do you have a stash of old paint cans, electronics or power tools that you’ve been putting off dealing with? If you need help to get started with cleaning up and decluttering, read on to find out about some great Metro Vancouver recycling resources!

Metro Vancouver Transfer Stations & Vancouver Landfill
All kinds of recyclables are accepted in the recycling section of Metro Vancouver’s Transfer Stations – located in Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Surrey, North Vancouver, Vancouver, and Aldergrove. These are very convenient recycling resources that you can rely on. We love the free one-stop location to recycle everything from basics like cardboard, light bulbs and plastics to hard-to-recycle items like paint, pesticides, propane tanks and small appliances.

Zero Waste Centre in Vancouver
Another one of the best recycling resources is the Zero West Centre in Vancouver. Visit the new Zero Waste Centre at the Vancouver South Transfer Station to drop off a wide variety of recyclables for free.  Everything from electronics to batteries to bikes and large appliances can be recycled here. This centre is a gem for all your recycling needs.

Vancouver Zero Waste Centre - 8588 Yukon Street, Vancouver, BC.

Sell or Donate your old stuff
Selling or donating your reusable items is a great way to get rid of your old stuff. These are some of our favourite places to do that:

Metro Vancouver Recycles
Residents and businesses can visit the Metro Vancouver Recycles web page to find places to donate or recycle just about anything. You will be asked to select the material you wish to recycle or dispose of and provide your location information to get a list of suitable recycling options.

Call us at Green Coast Rubbish
If you still don’t know what to do with your old stuff, give us a call at Green Coast Rubbish. We take great pride in being Vancouver’s environmentally conscious waste removal company and we donate or recycle at least 75% of the materials we pick up, with much of it being donated to charity. Get in touch by emailing pickup@www.greencoastrubbish.com or by calling 604 230 4530.

Paint Removal and Recycling

/in , , /by

Often the easiest way to brighten and freshen up your space is to add a coat of paint. While it can work wonders to liven up your home or office, sometimes we find ourselves with an excess left-over, and are unsure of where/how to safely dispose of it. The BC Product Care Association website suggests always keeping in mind the BUD rule when purchasing materials:

  • B – Buy only the amount you need.
  • U – Use all the paint you buy.
  • D – Dispose of any leftover paint safely.

To cut down on waste, it’s a good idea to calculate how much you’ll need initially for your project before you begin. Most paint retailers are happy to help estimate the amount you will require, which will save money and minimize paint wastage. But regardless of how closely you estimate, often you’re still left with at least a little bit remaining. If you can’t re-purpose the paint for use in future touch-ups or other projects (in the case of lighter colours, they can sometimes be used as primers), there are environmentally mindful ways of disposing of it.

Green Coast Rubbish often helps our clients deal with removing excess materials such as paint, stain, and shellac, and diverts them to depots who specialize in their safe processing. In 2012 alone, GCR helped recycle more than 2438 litres! Many of the facilities around the Lower Mainland even offer programs where they simply give the paint away free to those who can make use of it (as long as the remaining product is properly sealed and still labeled). By being inventive about ways that we can re-purpose paint, we can make our spaces and communities more beautiful, while still protecting the earth in the process.

For more information about the types of products that can be recycled, check out the BC Product Care website. If you have questions about the types of products and waste Green Coast Rubbish can handle on behalf of your home or your business – never hesitate to drop us a line.