Week 5: June 22 - June 24, 2007

The Bottle Depot - Pt. Alberni, Guildford Bottle Depot, Regional Recycling Vancouver, Regional Recycling Richmond & Cariboo Plaza Return-It

June 22, 2007: The Bottle Depot - Pt. Alberni

One gentleman dropped by with two gigantic bags of containers and our hero, Return-It Man, was very impressed at the quantity. Then the man said that he had 8 more bags the same size that he still needed to bring in. He said that he looks all over for abandoned containers and that he strives to keep Port Alberni clean. Return-It Man was happy to hear this and credited him to be as much a “Recycling Hero” as Return-It Man.

The Port Alberni Times, which was just across the street from the depot, saw Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick with their Celebration Tour display. They were so intrigued by the event that they sent a staff member over to get more information on Return-It Man and the depot event. Of course Return-It Man and his super sidekick explained to them what they were there for and posed for a few pictures.

Encorp's Promotions Team also spoke with an inspiring young fellow, about ten years old, who was getting ready to go out on a month long fishing trip with his dad who works as a fisherman. He spoke quite knowledgeably about recycling and described how his school is very good at recycling their beverage containers. Return-It Man explained to him the benefits of recycling beverage containers and how it helps to protect our environment. As his ambition was to one day become a fisherman, it was not hard for him to make the connection between recycling and his future livelihood. He pointed out the fact that by recycling we protect the environment and thereby preserve the great resources in BC that are available to us. Return-It Man and Super Sidekick made sure to give out some cool swag to this deserving boy.

When the team drew the camera winner’s name the depot staff was really happy to hear that Linda Phillips had won. She is a regular customer at the The Bottle Depot - Port Alberni and the staff told us about how she collects lots of containers and donates the money that she gets from them to local charities. She came by the depot right after we phoned her as she lived within about five minutes. For the draw a photographer from the local “Pennyworth” newspaper dropped by and took a picture.

June 23, 2007: Guildford Bottle Depot

Return-It Man bumped into some familiar faces that he had seen the following year on the Tour Day. They were happy to see him again and said that he had been a good influence on them as they have improved their recycling efforts since last year. Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick went to 108th Avenue and spoke with several individuals that were passing by. They told them about the chance to win the BBQ and convinced a number of them to drop in to the depot. Several kids came out to the Guildford Depot. Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick gave out some balloons but only to those who promised to make sure that they recycle their beverage containers at school. He also gave out an extra special bundle of balloons to a parent who said that she had four kids at home who would really love them.

June 23, 2007: Regional Recycling Vancouver

Return-It Man and Super Sidekick went to Terminal Avenue, where they are always popular when visiting the Regional Recycling Vancouver. They were quite effective at making themselves clearly seen and heard by passing traffic. The megaphone was put to good use as a means of delivering the beverage container recycling message. Countless cars honked their horns at the dancing Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick got the drivers and passengers nodding their heads agreeing to go to the depot.

The Super Sidekick made up a fantastic display with four layers of balloons extending from the tent we set up. This display along with the presence of Return-It Man proved to attract numerous kids and families, to the Celebration Tour area. Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick made sure to explain to all the kids the importance of the recycling that was going on inside the depot and encouraged them to get as involved as they could. The balloons and giveaways proved to be a great incentive.

June 23, 2007: Regional Recycling Richmond

While on site at Regional Recycling Richmond, Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick were able to help the depot open up shop by filling the place with balloons and setting up the tent. Once Return-It Man had met the depot staff and had everything set up his Super Sidekick took him for a stroll through the neighborhood to bring more people to the Celebration Tour. When they got to Bridgeport road the Team was able to promote the location to all of the early birds at IKEA as well as the large traffic jam that occurs when people try to access that location from the Knight St. Bridge. Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick then risked life and limb for the depot by getting onto the pedestrian walkway on the bridge. This gave everyone an excellent view of Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick. The megaphone sure came in handy to reach all of the pedestrians in the vicinity and below the bridge.

June 24, 2007: Cariboo Plaza Return-It

One woman was really tired and having a tough day. She told Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick about how she had carried a whole bunch of containers to the depot and it had been really hard getting them up North Road as it is a really steep long hill. Return-It Man explained that it is always worth it to Return-It. She agreed and Return-It Man then said “for all your hard work, you have earned the Return-It T-Shirt. She was very happy about this and said “of course it’s worth it to recycle” while giving him a high five. She had a big smile on her face and seemed much happier going back down the hill with some money in her purse and a new T-shirt.

Return-It Man saw another woman that he had met last year at the Depot and she was thrilled to see him again. She said that Return-It Man had given her the “official Return-It fridge magnet” last year and that she really loved it. Return-It Man asked her “Do you still have it on your fridge?” She felt bad explaining that when she moved she had lost it. Return-It Man was quick to respond by grabbing a fresh Return-It Man fridge magnet for her new place. In addition to this, Return-It Man gave her a couple of balloons to take with her. She said that she was very happy to get another one and she would be careful not to lose it. She also promised to keep visiting the depot and was motivated by the chance at a new BBQ.