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Don’t forget to #recycle your holiday packaging this Christmas!
Pro-tips:
1. REMOVE all ribbons and bows from gift wrap, only PAPER wrap in the yellow bag
2. RINSE all containers before putting them out for recycling
Happy Holidays from Ridge Meadows Recycling Society!
Click to view an online copy of the RMRS November, 2024 Newsletter. This and past newsletters are archived on our website.
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…
- Our LAST Repair Cafe of 2024 is THIS Saturday, November 23 at the Maple Ridge Library – bring us your broken stuff and see you in 2025!
- Create Memories, Not Garbage! Let Metro Vancouver’s Gift Planning Tips & Ideas make this Christmas a less-stress and more sustainable holiday
- Looking Back – with the upcoming recycling collections transition to Recycle BC, take a look at the evolution of our collection trucks over the last 40 years and hear about one of our first truck drivers’ job interview – told by current Board Member Candace Gordon!
- We had a great time at the annual Community Inclusion Month BBQ!
- 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 416,400 times! Let us know if we missed anything that should be on the map…
Click to view an online copy of the RMRS October, 2024 Newsletter. This and past newsletters are archived on our website.
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…
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- Got Questions about the 2025 Maple Ridge Recycling Collection Transition to Recycle BC? Here are some answers!
- 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 is Waste 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!
- Need more Nature? Learn more about “Take Me Outside” Day…
- 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…
Click to view an online copy of the RMRS September, 2024 Newsletter. This and past newsletters are archived on our website.
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.
- Updates on the Recycle BC transition of Maple Ridge’s Recycling Collection Services
- 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!
Click to view an online copy of the RMRS August, 2024 Newsletter. This and past newsletters are archived on our website.
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…
Click to view an online copy of the RMRS July, 2024 Newsletter. This and past newsletters are archived on our website.
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…
- Only ONE Summer Depot Tour left with open spots! Sign up at https://rmrecycling.org/education-2/tour-the-depot
- 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…
Click to view an online copy of the RMRS June, 2024 Newsletter. This and past newsletters are archived on our website.
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…
Click to view an online copy of the RMRS March, 2024 Newsletter. This and past newsletters are archived on our website.
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
- Feeling Creative? The Earth Day “Poetry & More” and Photo Contests are now accepting submissions!
- 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!
- Spring Chipping Program set-out deadlines – don’t burn that brush!
- 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…
In partnership with the City of Maple Ridge, Ridge Meadows Recycling Society administers the Spring & Fall Brush Chipping Program for Maple Ridge residents.
The deadline for setting out branches for pickup for Maple Ridge residents WEST of 224th Street is Monday, March 25.
The set-out deadline for residents EAST of 224th Street is Tuesday, April 15.
All brush MUST be set out by the deadlines to be picked up.
Please do not set your branches out for the brush chipping program more than 3 weeks before the set-out deadline for your area.
Chipping in each area will take up to two weeks to complete. The number of days spent on each area depends on the amount of brush set out and the number of residents using the program.
The program includes pick up and disposal of tree & shrub branches up to a total volume of 3 cubic meters (1 meter x 1 meter x 3 meters, roughly 3 feet x 3 feet x 9 feet – chippers are instructed to spend no more than 20 minutes at each household).
Learn more about the Spring & Fall Brush Chipping Program, (including what is NOT accepted in the program!).
