Spring is slowly making its way up Depot Hill. As always, the Herring Fest last month fired the starting gun for another busy season on the island. We’re already noticing the increase in activity at the Free Store and the recycling depot.
We’re now on our standard hours: Fridays through Sundays, 9 am to 1 pm. The Free Store and We‑Store are open from 10 am to 12 noon. A reminder that the We‑Store—our construction and demolition waste repurposing area—is now fully operational.
We’re still looking for additional We‑Store volunteers to help monitor incoming materials and ensure they meet the We‑Store’s requirements. If you’re building or renovating a home on the island, you may even save some money by dropping off your usable construction and demolition waste at the We‑Store at no charge.
We’ve received funding to cover the disposal costs of invasive plant species. If you’re bringing in invasives, please check in with the cashier so they can record your quantities and direct you to the correct drop‑off area for free disposal.
A reminder: please do not place any invasive plants in our compost pile.
We also want to remind everyone that the Earth Machine compost bin is still available for purchase. The price is $125, taxes included.
Please note that we are closed on all statutory holidays, and will be closed this Good Friday, April 3, 2026. We will be open as usual on Saturday, April 4, and Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026.
Our Free Store volunteers kindly ask that only items in excellent working order be brought in. They also request that no donations be left outside after the Free Store has closed. Donations are most helpful when they arrive by 11:30 am.
Please remember that our Free Store team is made up of volunteers, not paid staff. If you have a large volume of donations, please speak with them first to find a good time to bring everything in.
HIRRA and CUPE will begin negotiating their new labour contract in May, with the goal of reaching an agreement in time for the HIRRA membership to vote on it before we enter budget season this fall.
When you’re planning to drop off large loads of construction waste or drywall—such as a full pickup truck—please call ahead to confirm we have space before you load your vehicle.
When planning to bring up drywall, please make sure you have completed the required paperwork, available at: https://recycling.hirra.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Dry-Wall-Waste-Disposal-Application-March-2017.pdf
When dropping off gas‑powered equipment, trailers, or boats, it’s essential that all fluids are completely removed and the units are fully dry.
We’re still seeing some patrons arrive without knowing that all corrugated cardboard must be dry and cut down to pieces smaller than 76 cm × 76 cm (30 in × 30 in) so staff can process it efficiently. Please also avoid stomping or crushing boxes. Any trampled cardboard has to be un‑stomped by staff before it can go through the system.
Your help with this is genuinely appreciated.
As always, we extend our thanks to all our volunteers—in the Free Store, the We‑Store, the gardens, the Recycling Committee, and the HIRRA executive—for the many years of time and energy they’ve contributed.
We also want to acknowledge our hardworking depot staff and the HIRRA staff for their ongoing efforts in keeping operations running smoothly.
See you all up on Depot Hill.
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