As we’re writing this month’s article, spring is still taking its time climbing up Depot Hill, and the cool air still lingers. The island, however, has shifted into its busy season, and there are noticeable increases in activity at the Free Store and the recycling depot.
We are currently open, Fridays to Sundays, 9 am–1 pm. The Free Store and We‑Store operate from 10 am – 12 noon, and the We‑Store, our construction and demolition waste repurposing area, is now fully operational.
If you’re building or renovating on the island, you can save a bit of money by bringing your usable construction & demolition waste to the We‑Store, as there’s no charge for drop‑off for usable construction & demolition waste.
In May, we received additional funding to cover the disposal costs of invasive plant species, so we can continue to accept invasive plants free of charge. Check in with the cashier, and they will record your quantities and direct you to the correct drop‑off area for free disposal. Please do not place any invasive plants in our compost pile.
After many years of waiting, we finally received a new power pole. Thank you to the CVRD for supplying the electrician for the project, and thank you to Scott Hardy for doing all the heavy lifting with and without our backhoe, outside of his regular work schedule.
Note that we have Earth Machine compost bins available at $125, taxes included.
Our Free Store was recently featured in a French-language CBC program, and you can watch the episode here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=be-cQQVU7xI. The example of our circular economy is being shared nationwide, and to continue being a good example, the volunteers kindly ask again that only items in “excellent” working condition be donated. and that no donations be left outside after the Free Store has closed. They really appreciate it when donations arrive by 11:30 am. Note, our Free Store team is made up of volunteers, not paid staff.
In May, the Hornby Island Resident & Ratepayers Association and the Canadian Union of Public Employees, representing most of the depot employees, negotiated their 2027 – 2028 collective agreement. Once approved by the HIRRA executive, the HIRRA membership will get to vote on it, and hopefully approve it in time for our budget season this fall.
Many thanks go out to Scott Hardy, who has re-surfaced the recycling depot’s road and parking lot this spring, and thank you to the CVRD for supplying all the road crush for the project.
Note that the CVRD is planning to apply dust suppression treatment to the road and parking lot before the summer. This treatment requires some cooperation from the weather, as some surface moisture is required.
Planning to bring up drywall???? 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.
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. Don’t stomp or crush boxes. Any trampled cardboard has to be un‑stomped by staff before it can go through the system.
A BIG 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 you’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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