Rethink Waste Newsletter
October, 2025
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Hartland Landfill Extends Saturday Hours Permanently
The Capital Regional District (CRD) Board has approved a permanent extension of Saturday hours at Hartland Landfill and Public Drop-off Depot. The site will now close at 5 p.m. instead of 2 p.m., giving residents more flexibility to drop off waste and recycling.
This change follows a successful one-year pilot project launched in June 2024, which aimed to improve access, reduce congestion, and gather public feedback. Weekday hours remain unchanged (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and the site continues to be closed on Sundays and statutory holidays.
Public response to the pilot was overwhelmingly positive. Many residents appreciated the extended hours, noting that Saturdays were often their only available day to visit. Survey data showed that 85% of respondents were residential users, with strong support for the change despite some concerns about traffic from nearby neighbours.
Operational data confirmed the benefits: vehicle visits increased by 11.5% during the pilot year, with over half of that growth occurring during the new Saturday afternoon hours. Staff also observed a more even flow of visitors throughout the day, reducing lineups and improving traffic safety on Hartland Avenue.
CRD staff will continue to monitor site usage and may consider further adjustments in the future.
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Love Food Hate Waste: Understanding Best Before Dates
Every year, Canadian households throw away billions of dollars’ worth of edible food, often because of confusion over best before dates. These dates indicate quality, not safety. If food has been stored properly and shows no signs of spoilage, it’s usually still safe to eat.
Food waste has serious consequences. In the Capital Region, 10% of landfill waste is avoidable food waste. Nationally, the average household discards $1,300 worth of food annually, wasting valuable resources and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
Quick tips to reduce waste:
- Trust your senses: look, smell, and check for spoilage.
- Keep perishables below 4°C, frozen items below –18°C.
- Avoid leaving food in the “danger zone” (4°C–60°C) for more than two hours.
Want to learn more? Visit lovefoodhatewaste.ca for practical tools and tips to help you waste less and save more.
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Beyond the Curb: Victoria Pilots Soft Plastics and Foam Packaging Collection
The City of Victoria is testing new collection points for flexible plastics and foam packaging that can't be picked up curbside.
Drop-off locations include:
- 1234 Yates Street: Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., until December 2025
- James Bay Market
- Moss Street Market
- Oaklands Sunset Market
Drop-off is free, and all materials will be recycled by not-for-profit organizations.
To learn how to dispose of other items or find nearby drop-off locations, use the CRD's What Goes Where tool.
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Rethink Waste Grant
Tennis Ball Tony
Meet Tennis Ball Tony. Tony runs Rebounce, a program in Victoria that keeps used tennis balls out of the landfill and helps turn materials into electricity.
Through funding from the Rethink Waste Community Grant, Tony helps take small steps towards a more sustainable region.
If you have a creative idea to reduce waste in the capital region, now is the perfect time to bring it to life. The grant is open to non-profits, community groups, schools, First Nations, and more.
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Colwood Asks Residents to Weigh In on Potential City-Run Waste Collection
The City of Colwood is exploring a new approach to residential waste collection: a single, city-managed service provider for garbage and organics. The goal? To improve affordability and reduce the environmental impact of multiple trucks criss-crossing neighbourhoods. Residents have been asked to share their thoughts through a public survey, with results to be presented during the city’s winter service review.
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Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre and Victoria Royals Launch Reusable Cup Program
Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre (SOFMC) and the Victoria Royals have introduced a reusable cup and container program. Attendees can now enjoy drinks and premium food in durable, reusable packaging, which can be conveniently returned to nearby bins after use. These items are then collected, cleaned, sanitized, and reused by the company Friendlier, creating a closed-loop system that helps reduce landfill waste and supports sustainability efforts.
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October is Circular Economy Month
Circular Economy Month is a national awareness campaign dedicated to educating and empowering Canadians to support a more sustainable, people-first economy. Throughout October, individuals, governments, organizations, and schools across the country are invited to explore circular practices that reduce waste, extend the life of resources, and protect the environment.
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Stamp Out Single-Use with Victoria's Reusable Cup Contest
This October, join over 30 local businesses in helping reduce waste, one coffee at a time. Victoria’s Reusable Cup Contest is back and bigger than ever, with double the prizes and a simple way to participate:
- Pick up a stamp card from a participating shop
- Use your reusable cup when ordering coffee
- Earn a stamp with each use, every stamp is a prize draw entry!
You could win one of 10 zero-waste prize packs valued at $100, featuring locally sourced goodies like beeswax wraps, shampoo bars, silicone snack bags, and more.
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Ask the CRD's Infoline
Q: How do I recycle my pumpkin and Halloween candy wrappers?
A: O’Hallows Eve is the perfect time to celebrate spooky fun and sustainability. As you enjoy glowing pumpkins and sweet treats, keep these tips in mind:
Pumpkins
Each year, countless pumpkins are carved for Halloween and then thrown away. Carving pumpkins are not only decorative, they’re also edible. While they may not be as sweet or dense as pie pumpkins, they can still be used in soups, curries, baked goods, and more.
After Halloween, decomposing pumpkins can go straight into the compost, as long as they’re not heavily decorated. If less than 20% of the pumpkin is covered in stickers, paint, or embellishments, it’s good to go!
Candy Wrappers
Don’t toss those empty candy wrappers! Many types of flexible plastic wrappers can be recycled for free at your local recycling depot. Check with your local facility to confirm what’s accepted.
Have a question about waste and recycling? Email your questions to infoline@crd.bc.ca.
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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.
Hartland Public Drop-Off Expanded Hours
The CRD Board approved a permanent extension of Saturday Hours at Hartland Landfill.
Hartland Landfill Tonnage Report
A monthly report that provides a summary of general refuse received at Hartland Landfill.
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