Reducing consumption is the most effective measure anyone can take. We can also green Campbell River by diverting waste into the recycling stream, composting and finding ways to reuse items. In 2009, 38 per cent of waste was diverted through the multi-material drop-off recycling bins, curbside recycling and spring/fall yard waste collection programs available to all households. This is a great start, but with all of our efforts we can do even better!
Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Services Available
Recycling Centres – Check the links above for information on where to take materials. The Recycling Council of British Columbia provides a simple search function connecting products with local recycling facilities. The Campbell River Recycling and Reuse Directory is another thorough listing. There are many resources to find the disposal options that best meet your needs.
Curbside Collection – Campbell River offers weekly curbside recycling collection and weekly yard waste collection for two months in the spring and two months in the fall. Garbage collection is weekly and limited to one 80L can. If additional cans are needed, garbage tags are sold at City Hall, Sportsplex and Community Centre. Read more...
Multi-material Drop-off Bins – Regular recyclables and glass can be dropped off at the following locations:
| Campbell River Sportsplex |
1800 Alder Street |
Campbell River
Waste Management Centre
(formerly “Campbell River Landfill”) |
6200 Argonaut Road, Campbell River |
| Oyster River Old Fire Hall |
2185 Regent Road, Black Creek |
| Strathcona Gardens |
225 Dogwood Street, Campbell River |
| Vancouver Island Recycling Depot |
1700 Maple Street, Campbell River |
For more information, check out the Comox Stratcona Waste Management website (www.cswm.ca).
Recycling Bins at All City Facilities - Recycling service is now available for at all City facilities with the installation of 21 new recycling bins. The bins are available for public use and accept paper, returnable beverage containers and recyclables #1‐7 (from cardboard to plastics) and were funded 100 per cent through a grant from the Comox Strathcona Waste Management Service.
The bins are located at the airport, Centennial Pool, City Hall, Community Centre, Dogwood Operations Centre, Elk Falls water treatment facility, fire halls, library, Maritime Heritage Centre, museum, Norm Wood Environmental Centre, Rivercorp, SPCA, Sportsplex, Tidemark and Visitor Info Centre.
Toni Falk, Land Use Clerk Technician is pictured with one of the multibin recycling bins that features her photo.
Dedicated Local Recyclers
Steel Pacific Recycling, 5551 Duncan Bay Road
Phone: (250) 287-8748
Website: www.steelpacific.com
Accepts: Plastic, paper, cardboard, glass, drywall, wood waste, garden waste, batteries, asphalt shingles, fluorescent light bulbs, refrigerators, appliances and electronics.
ABC Recycling, 4318 Terminal Place
Phone: (250) 286-3504
Website: www.abcrecycling.com
Accepts: Metal and metal scrap including appliances and demolition scrap.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 1725 Willow Street
Phone: (250) 830-1493
Website: www.habitatnorthisland.com
Accepts (as charitable donation): Building materials and appliances for reuse. Scrap metal and metal appliances for recycling.
Encorp Return-It Centre/Campbell River Bottle Depot, 1580-F Willow Street
Phone: (250) 287-4224
Accepts: Bottles (for deposit refund), milk containers, paint, gasoline (max 20L in approved ULC containers), other flammables in original containers (max 9L kerosene, 10L others), pesticides and electronics.
Campbell River Waste Management Centre (Landfill), 6200 Argonaut Rd
Leave Campbell River and follow Highway 28 towards Gold River for about 8 kilometres. Turn left on Argonaut Road. Open 7 days a week – 8:30 am - 5:30 pm.
Phone: (250) 286-5700
Link to Campbell River Waste Management Centre (Landfill)
Accepts: Most solid waste, sorted and unsorted recyclables.
• Batteries (household & automotive)
• Metals
• Multi material recycle centre:
• Newspapers, magazines & stationery
• Cardboard & boxboard (flattened)
• Glass (food containers only)
• Metal cans (food containers only)
• Plastics #1–#7 (no Styrofoam)
Take-Back Programs, Various Retailers
Retailers will often take back items, for recycling or safe disposal after their customers are finished with them. Inquire at the point of purchase. All Pharmacies accept old medication, free of charge.
Hazardous Waste
The Encorp Return-It Centre (listed above) accepts many hazardous materials, often without charge. Also check at the point of purchase if items can be returned – many retailers will accept them. Common items include electronic waste, gasoline, pesticides and paint, which can all be taken to the Encorp Return-It Centre/Campbell River Bottle Depot. 
Download the hazardous waste disposal guide.
Batteries – Batteries are common hazardous materials that can leach mercury, cadmium and other toxins from their casings. All batteries can be recycled at no charge at the Campbell River Waste Management Centre (landfill). Other options include:
• Alkaline batteries are accepted at London Drugs
• Rechargeable batteries are accepted at The Source by Circuit City.
• Automotive batteries are accepted at Encorp Return-It Centre/Campbell River Bottle Depot.
Yard Waste
Composting – Nearly 35 per cent of the material dumped in our landfill is biodegradable waste that produces methane due to decomposition in anaerobic conditions. Methane is a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide – a major contributor to climate change. Home composting can easily divert organic waste into useful fertilizer for your garden. It’s a convenient disposal mechanism for kitchen scraps, leaves and other yard waste. There are many options available including apartment-sized worm bins, self-contained units (pictured) and permanent sectional garden structures. For information on starting your own compost, the Campbell River Compost Education Centre is open from April to October.
Curbside Collection – Curbside yard waste collection is an option available two months in the spring and two months in the fall. Outdoor trimmings and leaves are accepted, along with sod and small amounts of soil. Kitchen waste, animal feces and non-biodegradable materials are not accepted. Material will need to be placed in either compostable bags or clearly-labeled open-top rigid containers (max 80L).
Yard Waste Drop-off Centre– The Yard Waste Drop-off Centre is open year round, Friday to Tuesday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. It is located on the We Wai Kai Nation land off Willis Rd behind the Shell Station ~ follow the signs. For more information on the Drop-Off Centre or to find out more about curbside pickup click here.
Illegal Dumping Dangers – While biodegradable, incorrectly disposed yard waste has a serious impact on our environment and biodiversity conservation. Piles of yard waste attract rats and pests that spread disease and venture into our homes. It only takes one spark to ignite dried out piles of branches and prunings. Dumped yard waste smothers seedlings, carries plant disease, and causes nitrogen deficiencies in the soil that can kill native plants. Not only are non-native species like Scotch Broom introduced from yard waste, dumping creates “dead zones” that become entry points for invasive species. Read more...
Reuse and Renewal
Re-use options – Thrift shops, donation, and online resources are options for unwanted items that would be of use to others. Locally, consider the Habitat for Humanity ReStore (listed above) for donating items such as appliances, building material and scrap metal and the Salvation Army for smaller goods. Online selling options can connect you with local buyers: Popular websites include Craigslist and UsedCampbellRiver.com. Make sure to follow safety precautions online: don’t give out personal financial information and be weary of long-distance buyers.
Renewal options – It’s not technically a service, but chances are it was the choice favored by your grandparents. It can be fun to find new uses for previously unwanted items around the house. Worn-out clothes make great rags or pillow covers, glass jars can organize items and old carpet stapled on boards make great scratching posts for cats – think creatively!
Innovative ideas from community members:
“Old socks for advent calendars, dusters, puppets.”
“My own vegetable garden.”
“Rethinking purchasing.”
Green Event Guidelines – Plan your own low-waste, "green" event! Download the City of Campbell River Green Event Guide here.