resources

Here’s where you can find handy links from where to look up recycling facilities to where to get bulk laundry soap.  (some of these are Vancouver-based, but not all).  If want to know about something that isn’t on here, just drop us an email.

Recycling Tools

• The Recycling Council of BC Recyclepedia – Find out what you can recycle and where for BC residents. http://www.rcbc.bc.ca/
• The Recycling Hotline (brought to you by RCBC) is where a real live person will answer all your recycling questions. 1-800-667-4321 or you can email them at hotline@rcbc.bc.ca
• Metro Vancouver Recycles – Input your address (in Metro Vancouver) and anything from clothing to tin cans, and they’ll tell you where you can take it for reuse or recycling   www.MetroVancouverRecycles.org
• For Recycling info in the City of Vancouver click here
• The American Chemistry Council has a great resource on plastics recycling (general information and plastics buyers) in the US and Canada
• If you live in East Vancouver, here’s a handy list of recycling/reuse resources

Recycling Providers and Reuse Alternatives

• Happy Stan’s Recycling Services is the private recycling company where we take our soft plastic (yay) among other things
• Pacific Mobile Depot is another private hauler we take our stuff to.  They come to the city once a month, and they take all kinds of plastic (including styrofoam and toothbrushes) and electronics.
• Encorp takes beverage containers (including milk) and all electronics
• Free Geek takes computers (and accessories) to make refurbished computers for people who need them.
• Ikea takes household batteries and lightbulbs
• Our Social Fabric takes cloth and textiles (including ripped clothing) near Commercial Drive. Update – They are full and no longer taking donations.

Composting

• Compost bins are available for only $25 (very subsidized) to Vancouver residents. Find out more info here Lots of other municipalities do this too.
• Compost bins are available commercially in many shapes and sizes. Click here for more compost products than you knew existed.
• Get more info on composting by calling the (Vancouver) Composting Hotline at (604) 736-2250

Around the House

• VIP biodegradable laundry soap is the one we most often use. It is made in Mission, BC and available at Safeway, at the co-op on commercial drive (in huge containers) or online at http://www.vipsoap.com.  We also make our own.
• Bulk biodegradable laundry soap can be found at the east vancouver co-op on Commercial Drive in Vancouver.
• locally made laundry soap in returnable/refillable glass bottles is available at the co-op on Commercial Drive
• Vancouver has a great shop called The Soap Dispensary (http://thesoapdispensary.com/) that stocks cleaning and hygiene supplies (including wooden toothbrushes)

On the Go

• Check out a list of different reusable bulk and produce bags here.
• Great lunch containers for kids are available online at LapTop Lunches. They even sell class sets, so you can get your kid’s school involved.
• If you want to avoid plastic food containers, try glass or stainless steel. I’ve heard good things about PlanetBox,  Lunchbots, and Innate (those last guys are local too).

Grocery Shopping

• We’ve had success getting cheese in our own containers at most deli counters (you might just have to explain a bit).  Dollar Grocer (Commercial Drive) also has feta in bulk.
• There are great bulk sections at Dollar Grocer, Donald’s, Drive Organics, and many other independent grocers on the Drive, as well as Save-on-foods, Price Smart, and Superstore.
• We use reusable mesh bags for produce and bulk.

Hygiene

• We buy package-free bar soap for shaving from Lush
• We buy recycled toilet paper in a large cardboardbox (no plastic) from janitorial supply stores.
• We bought our toothbrushes online and at Drive Organics, but I think I’ll go wooden like this or this next time.
• Floss- I either use Radius compostable dental floss (note, it has a recyclable plastic case and is not vegan due to it being made of silk), or I use Eco-Dent floss which is NOT compostable and geos in the garbage, but comes in bulk with a completely cardboard package.
• We buy 100% recycled toilet paper from a janitorial supply store where it comes in a big box with no plastic wrapping. You can buy cloth wipes at www.lunapads.com
• For feminine hygiene, I use both the DivaCup and Lunapads
• There is a store on Main Street that sells bulk shampoo, conditioner, and cleaning supplies (wooden toothbrushes too). http://thesoapdispensary.com/