The Capital Regional District has launched a new recycling initiative to help residents across the region, including those on Salt Spring Island, manage hard-to-recycle materials. Known as the Beyond the Curb program, the service provides free, accessible drop-off points for flexible plastics and foam packaging that cannot be placed in standard curbside blue boxes.
The program officially began on May 11, 2026, and will run through October 2026. While the new drop-off sites are currently located at community markets such as the James Bay Market, Moss St. Market, and the North Saanich Farm Market, the initiative is part of a larger regional effort to address the fact that plastics make up more than 12 per cent of the garbage sent to the regional landfill.
For residents of Salt Spring Island, which is the largest and most densely populated of the Gulf Islands, consistent recycling options remain available locally. The Island Community Services recycling depot, located at 349 Rainbow Road, has been accepting flexible plastics and styrofoam for over 50 years. The depot continues to serve the local community under the direction of the regional district, which is represented locally by Director Gary Holman.
The regional district’s expansion of these services aligns with its broader Solid Waste Management Plan. By increasing options for residents to divert waste, the regional district aims to reduce annual per capita waste and extend the lifespan of the regional landfill to the year 2100 and beyond.
