03/21/2018 – The Nanaimo Recycling Exchange is closed until further notice. Our lease has expired and we are in the process of vacating our current location. We are continuing our efforts to build a new facility at 2491 Kenworth Rd. If you support the use of public funds to build a new Nanaimo Recycling Exchange for our community, we encourage you to email mayor&council@nanaimo.ca and make your opinion heard. Thank you to everyone who has supported and continues to support the NRE.

Nanaimo Recycling Exchange is thrilled with the RDN’s decision to support Zero Waste targets through funding for the NRE. “The NRE wishes to acknowledge the considerable time, resources, and efforts by RDN staff to gather complex data and compile the report, and we appreciate the careful consideration by Chair Veenhof and the Board of Directors. The result is great news for the Regional District and for Nanaimo,” stated Jan Hastings, Executive Director of the NRE.

Hastings explained, “It is true that the $300,000.00 dedicated for Zero Waste doesn’t free up enough NRE capital to fund construction of a new facility, but it is a significant step forward. One more step is needed.”

At the RDN meeting on February 13, the NRE Board Vice-Chair Ben Geselbracht stated the need for a contribution from the City of Nanaimo. “The money committed by the RDN to pay the Nanaimo Recycling Exchange for the services it provides has made a new NRE facility a real possibility. With an additional $200,000.00 commitment from the city, our community can have a one-stop Zero Waste recycling facility for a fraction of what it costs the Cowichan Valley Regional District for the same service. We will present a formal request to the City for that contribution and welcome their commitment to Zero Waste partnership in this region,” stated Geselbracht.

Hastings added, “We couldn’t have better partners for Zero Waste recycling. With such dedicated collaboration, a community that believes in recycling, and participation from all sectors, we will reach our 90% diversion target.”

Closed December 24, 25, 26
Open December 27, 28, 29, 30
Closed December 31 and Jan 1

A campaign was launched last week asking community members to let local politicians know that the NRE matters to them and they want to see it stick around. The response has been really encouraging. So many messages of support have poured in and people are stopping by the NRE to fill out postcards too.

The Vote Yes NRE campaign has a website – https://voteyesnre.ca/ – where you can find out more about what they are doing and how you can help.

They are also on Facebook and Twitter.

Our propane tank exchange program is now up and running.

What is the program all about?

If you have no tank, damaged tank or a tank older than 10 years
• You buy a Program Tank full of propane.
• You pay $60.00
• When your tank is empty, you bring it back and exchange it for a full tank.

If you bring a tank to trade (no damage, younger than 10 years)
• You trade your tank for a filled Trader tank for $25.00
• You pay only the cost of propane

New program tank with propane $60.00
Traded tank with propane $25.00

We are no longer accepting window glass, shower doors, patio doors, wooden windows, or mirrors. These products can be disposed of at the Regional Landfill at 1105 Cedar Rd. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your continued support of the Nanaimo Recycling Exchange!

The Nanaimo Recycling Exchange previously offered Event Bins for no charge. We no longer have the funds or ability to transport these bins to events in Nanaimo and the District. Apologies for any inconvenience. You are still welcome to collect your own recycling at the event and bring it in to us at the depot ! Thank you to your continued support of the Nanaimo Recycling Exchange !

As of March 15, 2013 customers will pay a higher fee to drop off yard waste at the NRE. This is because yard waste is now composted; the result is rich soil that can be used in gardening and landscaping applications. But this does mean that the costs are higher for the NRE, and so we must ask customers to help absorb the cost.

The new fee scale is

$5 minimum drop off
$10 car or van
$15 regular truck or trailer
Overload rates apply

Thanks for your continued support!

As of November 1, 2012, the NRE no longer accepts drywall (gypsum board or gyprock) for recycling.  Alpine Disposal & Recycling at 2250 McGarrigle Road (off Northfield Rd) is accepting drywall for recycling.  Their fee for drop-off is $211/metric tonne, with a minimum charge of $10.  Alpine can be reached at 751-1089 for more info.

The NRE Community Market has reopened its doors! The staff has been working hard getting the newly renovated Market organized and stocked with reusable household items and collectables. Check our daily sales including book sales, suitcase sales or $5.00 for a grocery bag of stuff*!

* excluding the usual electronics, books, individually priced items and showcase items.

Here’s a quick sneak peak of what you can expect when visiting the new and improved Community Market: