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BC Bike Race Turns a Shade of Green

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One of the coolest parts of our jobs is getting a chance to work with a diverse group of organizations, and helping to efficiently divert their waste into recycling efforts whenever possible.

This is why we are especially thrilled to be partnering with the BC Bike Race (BCBR) to provide waste management services for this year’s event. Loving this sport ourselves, (did you know Eamonn, the founder & CEO of Green Coast used to be a pro mountain biker for NSMB.com and Rocky Mountain Bikes?) it gives us a great excuse to get out into the sunshine for a week, and combine what we enjoy most: finding creative ways to divert waste, mountain biking, and the great outdoors. It’s a win for everyone!

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The BCBR is an annual 7-day mountain bike race that begins in North Vancouver on June 29, travels to Vancouver Island, and finishes off in Whistler on July 6. It is a fun and rigorous event, and the 500 lucky participants get to experience some of the most beautiful parts of our British Columbian landscape, while striving to achieve and surpass personal and competitive goals.

Each year the BC Bike Race grows in popularity, with riders traveling from all over the world to take part. More participants and spectators translate to more potential waste, which creates a unique opportunity for us to work in conjunction with the BCBR to analyze the footprint of the event, and create a custom program to reduce the event’s environmental impact with tailored recycling and waste reduction initiatives. To say we’re excited would be an understatement. Keep your eye out for an update on our experience of this year’s BC Bike Race!  

A Solution for All of Your Renovation Waste

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Are you renovating? If you are or are planning to, then you are going to be blessed with a HUGE amount of construction waste. Don’t just rent a bin and send it to the local landfill. I have a better solution.

This solution will allow you to sleep well at night knowing that you are not adding to the world’s massive garbage problem. Call North Vancouver based GREEN COAST RUBBISH for all of that recycling, composting, demolition and tree waste. In 2012, they diverted  76% of the waste they picked up to alternative recycling and waste recovery streams. A company with a purpose and a mission. Read more of GreenKick.ca’s blog post on us. 

Be sure to check out Michele Partridge’s GreenKick.ca for all that is green.  You’ll find tips on how to live a greener, healthier lifestyle. Thanks for the great profile and the kind words Michele!

Electronics Recycling in Vancouver

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Are you unsure of how to properly dispose of your obsolete and unwanted electronics? According to a December 2012 survey conducted by Samsung, many Canadians are! In fact, 1 in 10 respondents admitted to throwing their old electronics into the garbage, while 1 in 3 suggested that their old electronics are just collecting dust in their homes.

Recycling of your electronics should not be a challenge or a burden when you consider the excellent regional recycling programs and facilities we have in place.  We at Green Coast Rubbish want to make sure you do the right thing with your e-waste, so we have come up with a resource list of FREE locations and programs where you can recycle your electronics responsibly in Metro Vancouver.

Resources

The Electronic Recycling Association (ERA) is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 to address the growing problem of e-waste and the increasing ‘digital divide’. ERA offers simple solutions to help individuals and organizations prevent operational equipment from premature destruction. With a focus on recovery, refurbishment, and reuse, ERA continuously supplies charitable groups with donated IT equipment while securely managing the retiring IT assets of organizations and individuals across Canada. Learn more about their organization here.

 

 

Encorp Pacific’s Return-It Depots have a fantastic end-of-life electronics recycling program available to all consumers in British Columbia. The Return-It depots are located across the Lower Mainland of BC. Basically, anything with a plug or a battery can be recycled through this program. Find the nearest Return-It depot.

 

 

 

Free Geek is another great option for recycling your  electronics in Vancouver.  They operate as a nonprofit organization that not only recycles, but reuses the donated electronics. Check out their website for details on acceptable electronics and store location.

 

 

 

London Drugs also provides a free end-of-life electronics recycling program for items that have been purchased at their stores.  Customers can drop off items for recycling at any store location.  Follow these links for a list of eligible materials and for the location nearest you.

 

 

 

If you didn’t know, the Salvation Army has been a working partner of Encorp’s Electronics Return-It program since 2007, and they will also take your electronics for recycling. Additionally, if your items still have some life left in them, the Salvation Army will  happily accept them for donation. For the nearest drop off location.

 

 

Think Recycle is a cost-free environmental fundraising program that refiberishes, recycles, and resuses donated electronics. Green Coast Rubbish has partnered with the e-waste organization since 2011.  All funds generated through Green Coast’s collection of appropriate e-waste are donated to the David Suzuki Foundation. Check out our past blog about the partnership. Visit Think Recycle’s site to learn more about their program and how to get involved.

 

Anyway you look at it your old electronics contain hazardous materials that are harmful to our environment, and as such, they must be recycled responsibly! If you are in need of assistance or advice with recycling your electronics from your home, organization or place of work call us today for a free and friendly quote.  Happy recycling!