First Express & GO Station in the Tri-Cities Area

Recycling just got more convenient in the Tri-Cities. Residents can now drop off refundable beverage containers at the Return-It Express & GO recycling station at Metro Vancouver’s new United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre in Coquitlam.

Photographed above (Left to right): John Nixon, Interim President and CEO of Return-It,  Fin Donnelly, MLA for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain, and Rick Glumac, MLA for Port Moody – Coquitlam.

Located at 995 United Boulevard, this Express & GO station revolutionizes the recycling experience by allowing people to conveniently drop off their unsorted, pre-bagged beverage containers and receive their deposit refunds via Interac e-Transfer or cheque. This builds on Return-It’s mission to improve recovery rates by making recycling accessible and even more convenient for British Columbians.

Among Return-It’s more than 170 collection sites operating province wide, there are now 10 Express & GO locations in BC.

“Bringing convenient solutions that encourage recycling is what we do at Return-It, and our Express & GO stations reflect that commitment,” said John Nixon, Interim President and CEO of Return-It. “We are pleased to be opening our first location in the Tri-Cities and bringing innovative solutions to area residents. We want to thank Metro Vancouver and the team at the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre for all their support. By expanding our collection network and addressing accessibility, we can all work together to divert material from our natural environment.”

The Express & GO model supports a growing need for innovative recycling infrastructure. Powered by solar energy, this station is housed in a 40-foot repurposed shipping container and will operate during the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre hours.

Consumers also have the option to support their local community and donate their beverage container refunds to a charitable organization of their choice. A wide range of organizations have been using Express to support their fundraising efforts, especially during the pandemic. Once a fundraising organization has created its free online Express account, users can donate their deposit funds to the specific charity and organization accounts when they drop off their empty containers at the Express & GO station. For more information on how charitable organizations can create an account and fundraise using Express, visit Return-It Express.

“I want to thank Return-It for working with Metro Vancouver to increase our community’s access to recycling solutions,” said Mayor of Coquitlam Richard Stewart. “This value-added option at the new recycling station will have a positive environmental impact on our city and our region, as it is one more way to encourage residents to keep recyclable materials out of landfills.”

“Return-It shows exactly what British Columbians can accomplish when great ideas and enthusiasm are put into action,” said Fin Donnelly, MLA for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain. “Not only will these changes help protect the environment and reduce our carbon footprint they will also make recycling in our community more convenient and accessible for people.”

"It's great to see that Return-It is making it even easier to return empty beverage containers for recycling and keep them out of landfills," said Rick Glumac, MLA for Port Moody – Coquitlam.

“Metro Vancouver is a North American leader in waste reduction and recycling, with a 64-per-cent recycling rate, and our goal is to reach 80-per-cent diversion. We can’t do that without partnerships like the one we have with Return-It, an organization that makes it quick and convenient to do the right thing,” said Sav Dhaliwal, chair of Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors.

“The new United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre features a recycling depot that is three times larger than the one at the previous facility and offers a multitude of ways to divert waste from the landfill,” said Jack Froese, chair of Metro Vancouver’s Zero Waste Committee. “It accepts a wide range of recyclables, and the Return-It Express & GO recycling station is one of many opportunities visitors will have to drop off recyclables free of charge.”

More information on the new Express & GO location in Coquitlam can be found at Return-It Express & GO Stations.