Our next Repair Cafe is TOMORROW – Saturday, October 19 at the Maple Ridge Library – bring us your broken stuff and celebrate International Repair Day!
Next week isWaste Reduction Week – learn more about the Circular Economy and facts & stats about textile, electronic, plastic, & food waste
Save the Date! The LAST Committee‘s Community Inclusion Month BBQ & Dance Party is coming up on Tuesday, October 29!
Reminder there is NO Curbside recycling pickup on MONDAY, November 11 due to the Remembrance Day stat holiday. The Maple Ridge Recycling Depot will be OPEN that day from 9am – 5pm.
Upcoming Community Events! Check out some of the great things that are happening in Maple Ridge!
In case you missed it…
Have you checked out our Celebrate Earth Day EMERGE map yet? It’s great for exploring your community and has been viewed over 411,000 times! Let us know if we missed anything that should be on the map…
On Saturday, November 23, Maple Ridge Repair Cafés will be at the Maple Ridge Library from 10am – 2pm for our LAST Repair Cafe of 2024. Bring us your broken stuff and say hi to our special guests from Museum on the Move!
Repair Cafés are pop-up events where residents can bring their broken items (jewelry, clothing, bikes, small toys or furniture, small appliances, lamps, electronics, etc.) and volunteer expert “fixers” are available to help residents learn to repair their stuff – for free!
Subscribe to our monthly newsletters & get all our recycling updates, news, and tips emailed straight to your inbox! You can unsubscribe at any time.
In this newsletter…
September means the start of School Workshops starting up again! Summer Student Perle writes about the importance of Environmental Education
Congratulations to RMRS Community Engagement Manager Leanne Koehn for recently being awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her work in the community!
Our next Repair Cafe is Saturday, September 21 at Memorial Peace Park – bring us your broken stuff on the Bandstand & enjoy the music & activities of GETI Fest! PLUS! More stories from our July 13 Repair Cafe…
Help us prevent collection bin fires at the Depot! Please bring ALL items with a cord or battery to an attendent.
Reminder there is NO Curbside recycling pickup on MONDAY, September 29 due to the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. The Maple Ridge Recycling Depot will be OPEN from 9am – 5pm. WINTER Hours at the Depot (closing at 5:00pm Monday to Saturday) start on Tuesday, October 1.
Fall Brush Chipping Program set-out deadlines are Tuesday, October 15 for Maple Ridge residents who live WEST of 224th Street and Monday, October 28 for residents who live EAST of 224th Street.
Upcoming Community Events! Check out some of the great things that are happening in Maple Ridge!
In case you missed it…
Have you checked out our Celebrate Earth Day EMERGE map yet? It’s great for exploring your community and has been viewed over 407,000 times! Let us know if we missed anything that should be on the map…
With plastic bag bans now firmly in effect, reusable bags have become the norm. However, many residents are still getting used to remembering to take their bags with them to stores, leading to the purchase of new bags when they find themselves without. Add this to the proliferation of reusable bags now being used for take-out food and the build-up of reusable bags at home can be overwhelming – leading to reusable bags ending up in the trash can.
STEP 1 – REDUCE the Number of Bags You Need or Own
“The first ‘R’ is REDUCE,” says Leanne Koehn, Community Engagement Manager with Ridge Meadows Recycling Society, “Reusable bags are designed to reduce the number of bags we produce and use, so find a system that works for you to ONLY use the same bags over and over again until they wear out – then wash, repair, and keep using them!”
STEP 2 – REMEMBER Your Reusable Bags!
Ridge Meadows Recycling has compiled a series of tips to help residents REMEMBER to bring their reusable bags with them when heading to the store:
Store reusable bags in your vehicle – when you empty your groceries at home, place the bags by the front door as a reminder to return them to your car.
Add “BAGS!” to the start of any shopping lists as a reminder to bring them with you.
Keep foldable or collapsible bags in your bag or on your keychain so they’re always with you.
Leave “Don’t forget bags!” sticky notes near the front door or in your vehicle as reminders.
Set location or time-based reminders on your phone so when you are near the grocery store, a reminder to take your bags will pop up.
STEP 3 – DONATE Unwanted Reusable Bags
As with plastic bags in previous years, some residents are now finding themselves with an abundance of reusable bags that they don’t need and don’t know what to do with. Ridge Meadows Recycling is starting a pilot project at the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot where residents can bring any CLEAN and DRY reusable bags and donate them to local organizations that can REUSE them, including Community Services, the Ridge Meadows Hospice Society Thrift Store and the Friends in Need Food Bank.
“For us, this is a way to be able to ensure that we’re providing customer service by continuing to provide bags,” says Kelly Thomas, Manager of the Ridge Meadows Hospice Society Thrift Store.
To donate your bags, visit the Depot at 10092 – 236th Street and look for the Reusable Bag Donation bin hanging next to the Flexible Plastics recycling bin. If the reusable bags have holes or tears and are NOT usable anymore, make sure they are RECYCLED in the Flexible Plastics bin, NOT added to the garbage!
STEP 4 – REPAIR & WASH Reusable Bags As Needed
Remember that reusable bags are DESIGNED to last a long time and replace single-use plastic bags. Don’t treat reusable bags like single-use bags! WASH your reusable bags when they are dirty and REPAIR any small holes to keep them usable for a long, long time.
If you need a hand with repairs, check out when the next Maple Ridge Repair Café is coming up at www.mrrepaircafe.ca
STEP 5 – RECYCLE Reusable Bags When Worn Out
Almost all reusable bags now sold at grocery stores and take-out food bags that look like cloth are actually made of woven plastic fibres. These reusable plastic bags can be recycled in Recycle BC’s Flexible Plastics category. In Maple Ridge, this means when your reuable plastic bags are no longer usable, they can be put into your red curbside recycling box or brought to the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot for recycling
Thank you for REMEMBERING to REDUCE, REUSE, & RECYCLE your reusable bags!
Subscribe to our monthly newsletters & get all our recycling updates, news, and tips emailed straight to your inbox! You can unsubscribe at any time.
In this newsletter…
Getting overrun with REUSABLE BAGS? Remember to REDUCE and REUSE them BEFORE you RECYCLE them or DONATE them to community groups in our NEW bin at the Depot!
Nicole, our Summer Student who is studying Marine Biology, leaves us with an article on Ocean Plastic
Next Repair Cafe is Saturday, September 21 at Memorial Peace Park – part of GETI Fest!
Reminder there is NO Curbside recycling pickup on MONDAY, September 2 due to the Labour Day Stat holiday. Recycling Depot will be OPEN on Labour Day from 9am – 5pm.
Thanks for stopping by our booth at Country Fest!
Upcoming Community Events! Check out some of the great things that are happening in Maple Ridge!
In case you missed it…
Have you checked out our Celebrate Earth Day EMERGE map yet? It’s great for exploring your community and has been viewed over 392,000 times! Let us know if we missed anything that should be on the map…
Next Repair Cafe is Saturday, July 13 at the Maple Ridge Seniors Activity Center
Perle & Nicole, our 2024 Community Education & Special Event Summer Students, share about their challenge to to reduce single-use plastic usage for the month of July.
Reminder there is NO Curbside recycling pickup on MONDAY, August 5 due to the BC Day Stat holiday. Recycling Depot will be OPEN on BC Day from 9am – 5pm.
Thanks for stopping by our booth on Canada Day!
Upcoming Community Events! Check out some of the great things that are happening in Maple Ridge!
In case you missed it…
Have you checked out our Celebrate Earth Day EMERGE map yet? It’s great for exploring your community and has been viewed over 385,000 times! Let us know if we missed anything that should be on the map…
Subscribe to our monthly newsletters & get all our recycling updates, news, and tips emailed straight to your inbox! You can unsubscribe at any time.
In this newsletter…
Summer Depot Tour dates have been set! Sign up early to avoid disappointment 🙂
Come say “Hi!” to Perle & Nicole, our 2024 Community Education & Special Event Summer Students at upcoming community events & Repair Cafes
Plastic Free July is coming! Are you up for the challenge? Join our summer students on their journey to reduce single-use plastic usage for the month of July.
Next Repair Cafe is Saturday, June 22 at Memorial Peace Park – part of the awesome National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations!
We’re #3! The Maple Ridge Recycling Depot was once again named one of the TOP 3 collectors of used oil in the province!
Know a student looking for summer work? We are hiring for 2 Depot/Swamper positions.
Reminder there is NO Curbside recycling pickup on MONDAY, July 1 due to the Canada Day Stat holiday. Recycling Depot will be OPEN on Canada Day from 9am – 5pm.
Thank you everyone who came out to LAST Committee’s Transition Resource Fair on June 6! All attendees had a great time, learned lots to prepare for life after high school, and enjoyed PIZZA!!
Community Events! Check out some of the great things that are happening in Maple Ridge!
In case you missed it…
Have you checked out our Celebrate Earth Day EMERGE map yet? It’s great for exploring your community and has been viewed over 377,000 times! Let us know if we missed anything that should be on the map…
Change is Coming! If you haven’t heard, starting in 2025, Curbside and Apartment recycling collection in Maple Ridge will transition to direct services by Recycle BC, the organization responsible for paper & packaging recycling in British Columbia. Don’t worry! Ridge Meadows Recycling will still operate the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot and our Supported Work program is not going anywhere!
While there will be some slight changes to the way materials are picked up, you can use the same boxes & bags or recycling totes you are using now. Recycle BC and their contractors will be doing more education and outreach about any changes in the fall.
Since 2011, the BC Recycling Regulation (part of the Environmental Management Act) requires businesses that supply packaging and paper product to BC residents to assume responsibility for the cost of collecting, sorting and recycling these materials.
Recycle BC is a not-for-profit organization responsible for residential packaging and paper product recycling throughout British Columbia, servicing over two million households or over 99% of BC through curbside, multi-family and/or depot services…
VISION: To be a recycling leader, inspiring and accelerating innovation in recycling technology, waste reduction, and packaging design.
We ensure packaging and paper product is collected from households and recycling depots, sorted and responsibly managed and recycled. Recycle BC provides recycling services either directly to communities or by working in partnership with local governments, First Nations, private companies, and other not-for-profit organizations. 194 communities participate in our recycling collection program and more are serviced by our recycling depots. Each year, over 200,000 tonnes of material is collected from households and depots.Our program is funded by businesses, like retailers, manufacturers and restaurants that supply packaging and paper products to BC residents, shifting costs away from homeowners.
Subscribe to our monthly newsletters & get all our recycling updates, news, and tips emailed straight to your inbox! You can unsubscribe at any time.
In this newsletter…
Change is Coming! If you haven’t heard, starting in 2025 Curbside and Apartment recycling collection in Maple Ridge will transition to direct services by Recycle BC, the organization responsible for paper & packaging recycling in British Columbia. Don’t worry! Ridge Meadows Recycling will still operate the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot and our Supported Work program is not going anywhere! While the changes to recycling collection won’t happen for a while, here’s a head start to learn more about the transition and Recycle BC!
Calling all Climate Champions… The award-winning Maple Ridge Climate Hub is now accepting nominations for their 3rd annual Climate Champion Awards, to be presented at the Earth Day festival on April 20
Spring Cleaning Time!! Gather your gently used books, toys, clothing, & sports equipment to donate to the Earth Day Family Freecycle!! Learn more about the awesome volunteers that make it happen and bring your items to the drop-off event in front of the Leisure Centre on Friday, April 19 from 5-7pm. At the Earth Day event on April 20, come find something NEW to YOU – for free!!
Bring us Your Broken Stuff! The next Maple Ridge Repair Cafe is on Saturday, March 16 at the Maple Ridge Seniors Activity Centre
Ready to Switch Off?Earth Hour is on Saturday, March 23 from 8:30-9:30pm
Easter Schedule Reminder – NO curbside pickup on Friday, March 29 or Monday, April 1
Summer Hours at the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot start on Monday, April 1, 2024.
In case you missed it…
Save the Date! Maple Ridge’s annual Celebrate Earth Day festival will be on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Register to have a booth or activity, perform, or volunteer!
Looking for Volunteer Opportunities? We need you at the Earth Day festival! Learn more & register online!
Have you checked out our Celebrate Earth Day EMERGE map yet? It’s great for exploring your community and has been viewed over 342,000 times! Let us know if we missed anything that should be on the map…
Swampers to Assist on Recycling Trucks – Entry Level!
Process Worker at Maple Ridge Recycling Depot
1. Full Time Swamper Positions Available
Ridge Meadows Recycling Society has Swamper positions available immediately.
The positions are full time (40 hours/week) and pay $21.39/hour. Hours are Monday to Friday, 6:30am – 3pm with possible overtime. Available immediately, please send in your application ASAP.
Tasks & Responsibilities: -Ensure efficient pickup of commodities placed curbside
-Lift & empty all recycling bags & boxes into truck bins
-Sort all recyclable commodities into appropriate bins
-Return boxes to appropriate location
-Processing materials at the Recycling Depot (as required)
-Clean-up & maintenance as directed.
-Able to perform physical labour such as lifting, bending & running
-Able to work in all weather conditions
-Understand and adhere to safety requirements
*Note: Individuals will be required to do repetitive lifting and work outdoors in all weather conditions. The successful applicant will be required to undergo a criminal records check.
Applications & resumes can be also submitted in person at the Ridge Meadows Recycling Society office, 10092 – 236th Street (at the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot office).
2. Full-Time Process Worker Position Available
Ridge Meadows Recycling Society is looking for a Full Time Process Worker to work at the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot.
The position is full-time, as scheduled, and may include weekends. Rate of pay is $22.03/hour. Available immediately, please send in your application ASAP.
Tasks & Responsibilities: -processing & sorting recyclables
-operating forklift & conveyors
-assisting the public with placing recyclables in the correct area
-general cleanup – maintain a clean worksite.
-other duties as assigned *Note: outdoor work – applicant must be able to work in all types of weather
Preferred Education/Qualifications:
-Class 5 Driver’s Licence (mandatory)
-Forklift Licence
-WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) Training
-First Aid Training *Note: The successful applicant will be required to undergo a criminal records check.
Knowledge/Experience/Other: -ability to work in a flexible, team environment
-good customer relation skills
-ability to follow direction and complete assigned tasks
-ability to problem solve in a constructive manner
-basic mechanical aptitude
-you will be working with co-workers with a variety of abilities
-open & flexible on daily work schedules based on day-to-day needs
Applications & resumes can be also submitted in person at the Ridge Meadows Recycling Society office, 10092 – 236th Street (at the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot office).
If you are atruck driver and have your air brake endorsement, you can send your resume to gary@rmrecycling.org and we will keep it on file.
Thank you for your interest in working for Ridge Meadows Recycling Society!
Job Application
Interested applicants can apply for RMRS jobs through this form.
“The first ‘R’ is REDUCE,” says Leanne Koehn, Community Engagement Manager with Ridge Meadows Recycling Society, “Reusable bags are designed to reduce the number of bags we produce and use, so find a system that works for you to ONLY use the same bags over and over again until they wear out – then wash, repair, and keep using them!”
As with plastic bags in previous years, some residents are now finding themselves with an abundance of reusable bags that they don’t need and don’t know what to do with. Ridge Meadows Recycling is starting a pilot project at the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot where residents can bring any CLEAN and DRY reusable bags and donate them to local organizations that can REUSE them, including Community Services, the Ridge Meadows Hospice Society Thrift Store and the Friends in Need Food Bank.
If you need a hand with repairs, check out when the next Maple Ridge Repair Café is coming up at 
Almost all reusable bags now sold at grocery stores and take-out food bags that look like cloth are actually made of woven plastic fibres. These reusable plastic bags can be recycled in Recycle BC’s Flexible Plastics category. In Maple Ridge, this means when your reuable plastic bags are no longer usable, they can be put into your red curbside recycling box or brought to the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot for recycling
Plastic Free July is coming! Are you up for the challenge? Join our summer students on their journey to reduce single-use plastic usage for the month of July.
Apartment recycling collection in Maple Ridge will transition to direct services by Recycle BC, the organization responsible for paper & packaging recycling in British Columbia. Don’t worry! Ridge Meadows Recycling will still operate the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot and our Supported Work program is not going anywhere! While the changes to recycling collection won’t happen for a while, here’s a head start to learn more about the transition and 
Ridge Meadows Recycling Society has Swamper positions available immediately.