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CRD, Emterra hire more trucks, crews as Greater Victoria recycling piles up

Materials set to be sorted at alternate facilities as challenges remain
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Recycling piles grow on Quadra Street as some residents go weeks without a pickup. The CRD and Emterra hired trucks and crews to catch up starting Jan. 24. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

The Capital Regional District (CRD) and Emterra Environmental added trucks and crews for the next two weeks to clear a backlog of street-side recycling.

With the extra help, called in from the Lower Mainland starting Monday, Jan. 24, the organizations expect to have the piles cleared by Feb. 7, according to a news release from the CRD.

Crews will prioritize neighbourhoods missed multiple times due to being near the end of routes. If volumes remain high a weekend crew may go out. The CRD encourages residents to sign up for service alerts at crd.bc.ca/bluebox for more details specific to their collection day.

READ ALSO: How to handle recycling as wild weather hampers blue box pickup in Greater Victoria

There are no limits on the amount of material, but blue box items should be rinsed, separated and at the curb by 7:30 a.m. on collection day.

Residents with recycling still left uncollected on a scheduled day between now and Feb. 4 should put it out before 8 a.m. on the Saturday after the scheduled collection day for weekend collection.

RELATED: Victoria recycling facility equipment breakdown leads to suspension of commercial pickups

The recycling industry has faced a series of disruptions and challenges in recent months from severe weather to ongoing shipping, labour shortage and supply chain issues.

Last week an equipment breakdown left the primary sorting facility unable to receive loads, alongside a province-wide shortage of commercial vehicles and drivers. This machinery has since been repaired but ongoing transportation challenges continue. Recyclable materials collected through the CRD curbside program will be consolidated and sorted at alternate facilities.

RELATED: Some Victoria residents going on six weeks without recycling pickup


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