Return-It has installed 15 dedicated beverage container collection bins across Maple Ridge. This new installation brings the total amount of bins in the community to 46. These new bins will help reduce the amount of litter in strategically chosen Maple Ridge public spaces like parks, schools, near local lakes, and sports venues. These bins help to ensure that recycling is convenient and accessible for everyone, even when they are on the go.
"Convenience is key to encouraging the recycling of empty beverage containers," says Return-It President and CEO, Cindy Coutts. "We are proud to work with Maple Ridge, a community leading the way in environmental stewardship, by making it easy for residents to recycle their empty beverage containers with the installation of multiple dedicated collection bins. As we approach Earth Day, we celebrate the commitment Maple Ridge has made by installing even more on the go recycling bins, and encourage other municipalities to take similar action in order to keep British Columbia green."
Return It's on the go beverage container recycling bin program provides new beverage container recycling bins at no cost to districts, municipalities, commercial venues, and other groups across British Columbia.
"I am pleased to see Return-It support our community by working collaboratively with municipal leaders and recycling partners to install beverage recycling bins across Maple Ridge," says Honourable Lisa Beare, Minister of Citizen Services and MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows. "The large number of bins continues to prove our provincial status as leaders in recycling and sustainability. This great initiative will help keep Maple Ridge clean for visitors and residents alike, while also advancing our CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 by ensuring waste gets recycled and repurposed."
"Through strong partnerships with Return-It supporting recycling in our communities, we are better able to achieve a sustainable future for everyone," says Bob D'Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission. "These conveniently-located bins in sites across Maple Ridge will help ensure that all refundable beverage containers - including bottles - are being responsibly repurposed, instead of becoming waste."
Maple Ridge has taken advantage of the beverage container recycling program and welcomed nearly 50 bins from Hammond Park to Golden Ears to Whonnock Lake Park. The program helps keep the community clean and it also creates fundraising opportunities for local organizations. Deposit refunds from collected containers can be used to support local charities, schools, and other groups.
"This is a great partnership between the City and Return-It to encourage the recycling of beverage containers," says Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy. "The distribution of these bins around the community ensures that our residents have convenient places to deposit recyclable containers. As we approach Earth Day this is a reminder of how we can all take action to benefit our environment and keep our City clean."
"These recycling bins in the parks and other locations help promote and remind people that beverage containers are not garbage," says Glen Shipp, Board Member of the Ridge Meadows Recycling Society. "Thank you to Return-It for helping Maple Ridge take another step towards Zero Waste."
Return-It's on-the-go beverage container recycling bin program is open to all B.C. communities and applications for 2023 are currently being accepted.
