Rethink Waste Newsletter

March 2025

Welcome to the redesigned Rethink Waste Newsletter!

What Goes Where Launch and Contest

We've replaced myrecyclopedia.ca with our new What Goes Where tool. You can search for how to get rid of anything, from pet waste to Styrofoam, broken electronics to unwanted furniture. What Goes Where will tell you if you can put the item in your household recycling, compost or garbage, or let you know which depots accept the item.

To celebrate the launch of What Goes Where the CRD is hosting a social media contest until March 26. Post a question about how to sort or get rid of anything on our Facebook or Instagram posts for a chance to win a $150 gift card to The Root Cellar!

What Goes Where

Hartland Battery Collection Program Wins Award

The Hartland Public Drop-off Depot has been named a Call2Recycle Leader in Sustainability for outstanding battery collection efforts in 2024!

Hartland collected 27,338 kg of batteries—that’s about the weight of 1.5 city buses! Thank you to all the residents who dropped off their batteries and helped to keep them out of the landfill.

Not sure where to take your batteries? You can bring them to Hartland or use What Goes Where to find a depot near you!

Community Events and Workshops

April 5 - Repair Cafe | Fairfield Gonzales Community Association

April 5 - Clothing Swap | Fairfield Gonzales Community Association

April 5 - Worm Composting | Compost Education Centre (Registration required)

April 12 - Composting Basics | ReImagine West Shore & Compost Education Centre (Registration required)

April 12 - Spring Clothing Swap | The Bay Centre

April 19 - North Saanich Repair Cafe | Repair Café North Saanich

April 19 - Earth Day Festival | District of Saanich

April 22 - Earth Day Litter Picking | PICK Colwood

April 26 - Gigantic Garage Sale | Township of Esquimalt

May 25 - Pop-Up Sewing Makerspace | ReImagine West Shore

May 25 - Sport Gear Swap | Zero Waste Sooke

June 7 - Composting Basics | Compost Education Centre (Registration required)

Want to get the word out about an event related to waste reduction in the region? Email rethinkwaste@crd.bc.ca to get it added to the list.

Rethink Waste Community Grant

Victoria Coolkit

Victoria Coolkit received funding from the Rethink Waste Community Grant to purchase dishware to create a dish library people can use to borrow reusable dishware for free! You can reserve from the Dish Library today at coolkit@victoriadra.ca.

If you have a creative idea to reduce waste in the capital region, now’s the perfect time to bring it to life. The grant is open to individuals, non-profits, community groups, schools, First Nations, and more.

Apply Now

Watch Video

News Tibits and Updates

New CRD Website

When perusing the CRD's website for the most up-to-date information on garbage and recycling you may have noticed things look a little different. The new website has been modernized to be more user-friendly, dynamic, and accessible following feedback from the community.

Learn More

Cleaning Up Colwood—One Piece of Litter at a Time!

PICK Colwood is a volunteer group on a mission to tidy up Colwood while tracking what’s being left behind. By collecting both litter and data, the group identifies what’s being discarded, where it’s happening, and how to tackle the issue at its source. Join PICK Colwood to help make a lasting impact on your community and the environment.

Get Involved

Surfs Up!

Surfrider Foundation Canada will launch its ReSurf program in May 2025, offering repair and warranty services for wetsuits, as well as recycling for wetsuits and EPS surfboards. The program will collaborate with various partners to process and upcycle these materials, aiming to create a viable circular economy and waste diversion initiative within the surf industry. While based in Ucluelet, the program will include drop-off locations in the capital region.

Learn More

Join the CRD Team

The CRD is hiring a Solid Waste Analyst to be responsible for research into regulatory mechanisms for managing garbage at Hartland Landfill. The successful candidate will have experience in policy development, data analysis, project management and overseeing the work of consultants and contractors.

Learn More

Ask the CRD's Infoline

Q: Can I recycle plastic plant pots in my curbside blue box?

A: Yes, you can recycle plastic plant pots in your blue bin with other mixed containers. To prepare your plastic plant pots for recycling and prevent contamination, remove loose soil by shaking the pot upside down and gently tapping it. Rinse the inside of the pot with a hose if needed to help clean away the residual soil.

Please note ceramic, terra cotta, and cement plant pots are not accepted in the curbside recycling program. These can be given away if they're in good condition or placed in your household garbage if they're beyond repair.

Have a question about waste and recycling? Email your questions to infoline@crd.bc.ca.

Policy, Planning, Contracts and Staff Reports

A round-up of the latest solid waste policy and planning reports and contracts by staff to inform the CRD Board and Environmental Services Committee.

Options for Flexible Plastics Collection for Multi-Family Dwellings

The Bottle Depot, in collaboration with Recycle BC, is offering collection of flexible plastics in multi-family dwellings through a pilot project which is anticipated to run through spring 2025. Staff will report back on results later in the year.

Motion with Notice: Model Demolition Bylaw

Staff will develop a model bylaw for demolition waste and deconstruction for municipalities in the capital region, and that the attached City of Victoria bylaw be used as a starting point.

Board Meeting Video and Agenda

Hartland Landfill Tonnage Report

A monthly report that provides a summary of general refuse received at Hartland Landfill.