Hi, we are Sophy and Vince, owners of the Island Return It depots, offering those of you on Vancouver Island a convenient place to drop off all your refundables, as well as other recycling that isn’t picked up at our curbs (glass/soft plastics).

Island Return It opened its doors in 1995 (originally called the Cowichan Valley Bottle Depot), when Vince’s parents Louis and Betty, bought into the Return-It program. They were looking to bring recycling out of the typically dark industrial sites, into clean, bright, and conveniently located depots, encouraging more folk to recycle. During our first ten years we opened up 6 locations on Vancouver Island, from Sidney all the way up to Campbell River, with the hope that by making recycling a positive experience, it would inspire a wider range of people to get into it, and help significantly divert reusable resources from ending up in the landfill.

After Louis passed away, Vince and I took over running operations. In 2013, we decided to rebrand to Island Return It Recycling Centres, to both unify all our branches and to reflect the growing variety of recycling services we offer. Now operating 4 locations (2 were sold), Island Return It is much more than a simple bottle depot. We also take broken electronics, small appliances, light bulbs and lamps, power tools and batteries to be safely recycled, all free of charge. And not to forget, we pay full refunds (10 cents) for all bottles and cans, including beer products and drink boxes.

We are also just as committed to our community, supporting through collecting donations for many of our local charities such as Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society, CGC and SPCA, to name just a few. We have streamlined the process for non-profit organizations to open charity accounts, so depot users can donate their refund to a particular charity or group. By highlighting and collecting for charities each month (in conjunction with the CVRD), we help spread the support around, while also raising the profile of these great organizations doing important work in the community. Island Return It also helps local sports teams, schools and clubs raise money through well-organized bottle drives, offering materials and guidance for these unique fundraisers.

Vince and I are always looking towards modernizing our offerings and improving customer’s experience. We are excited to announce that at our Duncan branch, our busiest location, we are installing the Tomra Machine, an 8 reverse vending machine (called an RVM). This automated machine accepts, sorts and counts cans and bottles swiftly and efficiently, helping depot users get in out of the inclement weather, and streamline their drop off experience. These machines have been garnering positive reviews around the world, and we are excited to share it with the community. It’s been a long time coming, and once the RVM is fully operational, we are looking forward to offering even more recycling services, with a wider reach in our community, including express drop off, and pick up services. The goal is to expand capacity in order to do more good.

My motto is, “recycling is a lifestyle rather than a chore”. By keeping the recycling process as simple and efficient as possible, that lifestyle choice to recycle will be more achievable. It seems to be working, as we have collected and recycled over 1.5 billion containers since opening our doors. Something we are very proud of.

Interested in seeing the RVM up close and in person? Come to the Duncan depot, and try out this new and exciting technology. 

RVM: What to Expect 

1. You no longer need to pre-count your refundables

2. Crushed cans must be brought to the cashier

3. Leave lids and labels on, but no liquids please

4. Bring containers that don’t fit to the cashier

5. Payment: the RVM issues a receipt that you redeem at the rapid cash machine

6. All other recycling will be accepted as usual