A pilot program aimed at reducing the amount of glass that ends up in the Squamish landfill has been extended in the community of Britannia Beach.
The Britannia Beach glass depot pilot project was implemented over the summer, from June 30 to September 28, 2021 in an effort to divert glass from the landfill.
In Britannia Beach, glass accounts for 8.2% of the total waste sent to the landfill. By comparison, in Squamish, glass accounts for 3.5% of the total waste sent to the landfill.
That’s why the SLRD is encouraging residents to separate glass from other recyclables and household garbage and delivering it to the community drop-off depot to ensure that more of it is recycled.
“This is an important project, in terms of keeping glass out of the landfill,” said SLRD Electoral Area D Director Tony Rainbow.
“The success of the program is due to resident participation, and we have been very pleased to see that the residents of Britannia Beach have been using the glass bins very respectfully throughout the pilot program. There was no contamination and no littering at the site,” he said.
Recycle BC has also reported to the SLRD that a high percentage of glass is currently being put in the curbside recycling bins.
Residents are reminded that glass is not accepted in the curbside program because once it breaks, it infiltrates the fibers of other materials in the bin, making it impossible to separate. Shattered glass also has costly wear and tear effects on the mechanical components at the recycling facilities.
“Keeping glass out of the blue bin is the best way to ensure that recycling efforts are not in vain,” added Rainbow.
The cost to run the Britannia Beach glass depot program is $158 per month, which comes from the existing operational budget for Britannia Beach refuse.
For the glass depot to be successful, residents are reminded that:
- Glass containers must be clean
- Totes/ bins should only be used for glass bottles and jars
- No glassware, window glass or mirrors (broken or whole; these items must be disposed of as garbage, as they are not recyclable. Consider donating useable items such as glassware, windows and mirrors, etc. that are not broken.)
- Area around bins should be kept clean and litter free
- Remove lids (these can go in the blue bin)
