Week 7: July 6 - July 7, 2007

Mission Recycle Centre, Campbell River Bottle Depot & Pitt Meadows Bottle & Return-It Depot

July 6, 2007: Mission Recycle Centre

Three young teenagers exiting a local restaurant saw Return-It Man and came running over to see him. They were familiar with the Return-It logo and shouted out “we always recycle!” Return-It Man replied “do you go to the bottle depot next door?” and they said “Of course.” Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick were very happy with this and gave them all Return-It tattoos. They could not wait to put them on and so they ran right back into the restaurant to get some water to put the tattoos on. When finished, they ran back to Return-It Man to show off their new tattoos. As they walked off they could be heard enthusiastically reminding other pedestrians and even some individuals in vehicles to “Go to that depot and recycle!”

This was a great weekend to be in Mission as the drag races were on at the Mission Raceway Park. Lots of people were excited for the event and Return-It Man was sure to remind everyone to recycle their containers while having fun.

In Mission, people love their cars and Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick spoke with some serious mechanics and car hobbyists. But even the toughest individuals were found to have a tender spot in their heart for recycling especially after speaking with Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick

One couple came into the store wearing sun glasses and Return-It Man, in order to fit right in, tried on a pair for himself. They loved it, and the woman decided to get a picture with him.

One family spoke with Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick explaining how their son had been a very diligent recycler. Over the course of two years he had been consistently saving his containers and recycling with his family at the Mission Recycle Centre. They were proud to announce that he had collected about $1,000.00 and the whole family was looking forward to putting it towards a vacation to Mexico.

July 7, 2006: Campbell River Bottle Depot

Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick were welcomed with open arms by Tex and the depot staff. They said that they had been looking forward to the visit and upon seeing the costume, they were very impressed. We could tell that they had done a good job promoting as there were three boxes full of ballots when we did the draw for the digital camera.

Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick spent a lot of time inside the depot, as there was a steady flow of customers during the visit. A number of families came into the depot as part of their regular recycling habit. Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick were sure to encourage them to keep it up with giveaways and balloons. They were glad to have the chance to meet Return-It Man and one father took the time, in front of his family, to say to Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick “I am really happy about the work that you are doing”.

Campbell River is primarily a mining and forestry region of BC. Both being very laborious professions make Campbell River the home to a lot of tough, hard workers. Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick were sure to point out how recycling containers is good management of the resources available to us. This was an effective pitch as the people in this region are connected with these resources first hand. It seemed that our message was well received as even individuals with very elaborate tattoos welcomed the Return-It Man tattoo to their collection.

When not at the depot, Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick toured Willow Street and Tamarac Street which are the two main arteries surrounding the depot on the Inland Island Highway. They spoke with stopped traffic and pointed everyone in the direction of the depot.

July 8, 2007: Pitt Meadow Bottle & Return-It Depot

The Pitt Meadows Bottle & Return-It Depot is a relatively new depot, as the operator mentioned that it had only been around for a year and a half. Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick took note of this, and spent a lot of time walking through the plaza letting people know about the depot, the contest and its location. This seemed to have a big impact, because many people we spoke to were unaware of the existence, and or location of the depot. We were sure to provide clear directions while handing them a depot flyer. Of course, we also mentioned the chance to win a digital camera and the Grand Prize BBQ which provided some great incentive.

Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick also spent some time stationed at the corner of Lougheed and Harris. Return-It Man’s dancing and waving gained responses from almost everyone with nods, thumbs up, smiles and of course the honking of horns. One person driving by in a van with a whole bunch of containers yelled out of his window “where is it?” referring to the depot. Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick pointed into the plaza and when he drove in, they walked over to his vehicle and gave him a flyer with some better directions. Upon returning to the depot, Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick spotted their new found friend just finishing up turning in all of his containers and he said: “Thank you guys, this I probably wouldn’t have found it without some help.”

A young couple was sitting outside of a coffee shop as Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick passed by and they called them over to talk. They explained that they were really good recyclers of their beverage containers and asked if they could get one of our cool giveaways. Return-It Man and his Super Sidekick felt it was fitting to pass on the official Return-It t-shirt. The couple agreed to share it.