community
SFU welcomes Lower Mainland’s first stand-alone Express & Go recycling station
Recycling has just become more convenient at Simon Fraser University and UniverCity. Starting Nov. 22, students, faculty and staff at the Burnaby campus, and nearby UniverCity residents, can drop off their refundable beverage containers at the Lower Mainland’s first automated Express & Go recycling station.
It’s located in a repurposed shipping container at SFU’s Burnaby campus in the East Parking lot just below UniverCity Town Square.
The new system revolutionizes the recycling experience. Just drop off your pre-bagged beverage containers—there’s no need to sort or count.
The Burnaby Mountain community served by the new system includes more than 1,500 students living in campus residences, and more than 5,000 UniverCity residents.
How it works:
- Create an online account by visiting express.return-it.ca.
- Use your phone number to print your bag labels at Nesters Market at 9000 University High Street.
- Bring your containers in a labeled, sealed and clear bag to the Express & Go System at the SFU Burnaby Campus at the East Parking lot just below the Cornerstone Starbucks. Enter the access code provided at the time of registration – drop and go!
- Your money will be automatically sent to your online account, where funds can be redeemed by Interac, e-Transfer or cheque.
Powered by solar energy, the automated station opens at 7 a.m., and closes at 10 p.m. to accommodate today’s busy schedules.
SFU collaborated with Return-It (Encorp Pacific) to realize this project.
“SFU is committed to building a sustainable society,” says Mark McLaughlin, SFU’s chief commercial services officer.
“This innovative recycling solution is part of SFU’s Re-Use for Good initiative to help improve our recycling rates while reducing single-use items. All these efforts help to move SFU towards a circular economy.
“Partnering with Return-It was a natural fit because of our shared commitment to environmental stewardship.”
Allen Langdon, president & CEO of Return-It says, “We have a long history of collaborating with stakeholders and communities of all types and sizes to provide innovative, convenient recycling solutions that encourage greater participation in our program.
“SFU has earned an impressive list of sustainability accolades for forward-thinking projects, and both students and faculty share a passion for the environment. I’m confident the Burnaby Mountain community will embrace this project wholeheartedly and put this new recycling service to good use.”