Community Recycling Depot Open

kc dyer
Jul 24
2 min read

Climate Action Committee brings convenience to local residents

Lions Bay's new Community Recycling Depot (CRD) is now officially open at the Works Yard at the end of Tidewater Way in Lower Kelvin Grove.

Public Works foreman Garth Begley says the turn-out the first weekend was excellent, with folks coming from all around the Village with their recyclables.

Hours are limited by staffing to Friday (6-9 a.m.) and Saturday (8-11 a.m.) mornings.

The depot does not accept construction waste, large appliances or any of the items that can currently go into your blue bin for curbside recycling. However, it will save you a trip to the North Vancouver transfer station if you have any of the following to dispose of:

soft and crinkle plastics
styrofoam
batteries, including rechargeables
unbroken lightbulbs, including fluorescent tubes
e-waste, cables and small appliances, including computers (smaller than three feet long)

The team asks that you clean all food-related items before bringing them in, to ensure the site doesn't attract wildlife.

Landfill garbage and compostable green waste continue to be accepted at the Works Yard during opening hours.

Councillor Neville Abbot says the process began during a previous council term when the current Climate Action Committee (CAC ) emerged out of an old Climate Action Task Force initiative.

Committee member Norm Barmeier credits Councillor Jaime Cunliffe with spearheading initial efforts to start the depot, under Climate Action and Recycle BC initiatives.

Shortly after the committee was formed with Cunliffe and Barmeier co-chairing, Abbott remembers then-Public Works Manager Nai Jaffer bringing forward a request to sign on with Recycle BC, which provides around $25k in revenue each year, and which more than covers the costs of the CRD.

When Abbott took over as chair of the CAC under the current council, he prioritized the creating of a recycling depot, and restarted the conversation with Village Staff.

"The entire committee need to be thanked for their efforts on this and our other initiatives" said Abbott. "However, one thing I have come to realize on Council is everyone project or cause needs a champion, or it will inevitably die on the vine. When Andrew got recruited to the CAC at the annual Bird Friendly event in May 2024, the committee handed him this portfolio and we had our champion."

Andrew's daughter Iona Wray, who was born and grew up in the Village, designed the logo for the new Depot.

On site last Saturday, Andrew Wray said he was relieved to see the operation finally up and running.

He added that he was delighted with the number of people who brought recycling in on the first weekend, and sees multiple benefits from the new location.

"It's not just recycling," he said. "It's a chance to meet your neighbours while you're doing something good for the environment."

Lions Bay Community Recycling Depot

5 Tidewater Way (LB Public Works Yard)

Friday 6-9 a.m.

Saturday 8-11 a.m.