Big Changes Coming to Island Return It Duncan

November 2024

At Island Return It, we are excited to announce the arrival of our automated beverage container recycling machine (the RVM), coming this November to our Duncan depot. Yes, you heard right, that’s a machine that counts and sorts your bottles and cans for you. Automated recycling machines are popping up all over the world, and we are confident you’ll find them an improvement to your depot experience. Lots of other depots in British Columbia have started using them and the response has been very positive.

How it works

  • Come inside out of the cold and rain, with your beverage cans and bottles (your other recycling will still be accepted at the depot as usual).
  • You will feed the RVM with your containers and it counts them swiftly, and then issue you a payment voucher.
  • So instead of sorting at your car (onto the blue trays), you simply roll your recycling indoors on a cart, and feed them into one of the 8 terminals in the RVM.
  • Then bring your voucher to the Rapid Cash machine to redeem your cash. Easy, peasy

We are committed to retraining all our staff, and they will be there to help you learn this new process. Our staff will also continue facilitating sorting on the back end (as well as continuing to grow our commercial pick up service), so jobs will be preserved and restructured. 

As this technology becomes more integrated, we will be broadening our reach, allowing businesses, schools, and bottle drives a more effective way to recycle. Simply put, this machine helps our depot expand and do more good. The more we all recycle, the more we keep out of the landfill.

Questions and Answers

Answers to the most common questions about the RVM:
 
1. Can I put crushed cans in the RVM?
-No, the RVM can’t count a crushed can because it needs to read the code in order to process it. Crushed cans will need to be pre-counted and brought to the customer service area directly.
 
2. Do I leave my lids on my beverage containers?
-Yes, that is fine, but all liquid needs to be emptied out of your containers first.
 
3. How long does it take to put my beverage containers into the machine?
-The RVM is efficient and quick at sorting. Feeding the containers in must be done one at a time being mindful to keep your hands out of the opening.
 
4. Will there be someone there to show me how to use the RVM?
-Yes, we will always have a staff person available to assist you. We are confident you will be comfortable with the machine and using it very quickly.
 
5. Do I need to pre-count my returnables?
-No, the machine will count and sort the different types of containers for you. Your receipt will show the breakdown.
 
6. What do I do with my other recycling that I usually bring to the depot?
-We will still be collecting other returnables (such as non dairy cartons) and general recycle. Bring your returnables that the machine does not take to the customer service area, and drop off your other recycling like you always have.
 
7. Do I need to remove labels from by beverage container?
No-leave those on.
 
8. Will I need to line up?
-This new system has 8 stalls so we can accommodate many people at once. This will speed up your depot experience and get you in out of the cold.
 
9. Will all containers fit in the machine?
– No, 4 Litres Jug, Wine in a box, Extra-large Glass Bottles, Crushed Cans will not be accepted by the machine, but they will be accepted at the customer service area. 
 
10. Is Island Return It excited for this new machine?
It is a long time coming, we are thrilled to be able to offer a great service to our customers. 
 
Please join us in welcoming this new and exciting technology.
Stay tuned to our official launch announcement coming this fall.
 
We look forward to showing you the world’s most advanced sensor based recycling sorting system.