Founded in 1989, Recycling Alternative (RA) was among Vancouver’s first recycling companies, providing comprehensive recycling and diversion collections to the Industrial Commercial and Institutional (ICI) sector. In addition to best practices recycling programs prioritizing waste reduction, Recycling Alternative also processes recycling materials collected at our 35,000 sq ft operating facility, the greenHUB, located in the heart of Vancouver’s industrial district the Flats. Our waste consulting services include waste audits, waste diversion reporting, waste management planning, staff training, stakeholder education and engagement.
Innovating in zero waste, the team behind Recycling Alternative recently started Terraforma Systems to locally manufacture clean-tech on-site composting technology for large commercial food waste generators. Located in Vancouver’s “Flats”, Terraforma’s T-REX series of composters are customized to process 100-500 tonnes of food waste annually, based on client needs. Through its green innovation, full-site waste management systems and integrated waste data reporting technology for the Industrial Commercial and Institutional (ICI) sector Terraforma pioneers waste ecosystems that reduce waste and deliver circular recovery innovation.
Question: How are you supporting other local businesses?
Answer: At Recycling Alternative, we are huge proponents of community and big supporters of other local businesses. We purchase sugar paper from Royal Printers, our office supplies from Mills, our toner from Toner Tech, IT support from Scarlett Creative, coffee from Saltspring Coffee, our water coolers from Quench Canada, and our uniforms from Fairware & Coastal Reign. We use East Van Graphics (down the street from us on Industrial) for special printing and Total Graphics for our recycling bin labels. In terms of services, we use Anago for office cleaning, Local Pest Control, Gallagher Prime Mechanics for our vehicle maintenance, Busters for towing, False Creek Fabrication for welding/fabrication, Rollins for recycling bins/totes (local company but totes/bins are produced/manufactured in USA). Davis Trading is our metal broker and West Coast Plastics is our plastic broker. For our electrical needs, we use local electrician contractors, and we use At Source and BDN for equipment/compactors. We also sub-contract the waste portion of our contracts to Waste Control Services (locally owned), Maple Leaf Disposal (locally owned), and sometimes we use other non-locals like Waste Connections and Waste Management.
Our business Terraforma Systems supports local suppliers by purchasing some of the materials and components we need to make our composter. We buy metal from TFS Metal Supermarkets (Cdn-owned) and our control panels from Arrow Speed Controls (Richmond).
Question: What social practices are you proud of?
Answer: We have partnerships to provide inclusive employment, through groups such as Eastside Works, Mission Possible, and Binners Project (in the past CDN Mental Health, Neil Squire Society, Building Opportunities with Business (BOB) and others). We strive to be an excellent employer and provide our employees with a full benefits plan, public transit/cycling subsidy incentives, seasonal events and appreciation for staff (Xmas, Summer BBQ, Earth Day, Fall etc., birthday cards for everyone signed by all staff), and provide professional development for staff where applicable.
In terms of environmental practices, our whole reason for being is to support zero waste, composting & recycling. We provide donation bridging to help our clients donate used office furniture and supplies to local non-profits who need these items. For many years our trucks ran on biodiesel (now included in BC renewable fuel sources), and we are currently electrifying our commercial truck fleet (our 1st e-truck will be delivered in Oct 2023).
We make many in-kind donations to Binners Project, Mission Possible, UGM, and festivals such as BARD, Vancouver Jazz Festival, VIFF, and the Vancouver Folk Festival. We do corporate gifting donations at Christmas, on behalf of our large corporate clients (i.e. Cadillac Fairview, Quadreal, Gate Gourmet, Translink etc.) we make donations in their names to 2 local charities each year, that are working on local issues.
Each year we choose 2 charities, based on the needs we see in the community that year around the following themes:
- Environment
- Social Impact
- Community Needs (Fraser Valley Floods, Blankets for BC; Syrian Refugees)
- Truth & Reconciliation (ie. Residential School Survivors)
- Organizations delivering impact (LOCO BC, etc.)
Some examples of past charities receiving donations in the name of our corporate clients include:
- Plastics Bank
- Plastics Oceans
- DTES Emergency Response (COVID year)
- Blankets BC Society
- Food Bank
- Syrian Refugees
- Ukrainian Refugees
- Union Gospel Mission
- Mission Possible
- Binners Project
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society
- Fraser Valley Flood Victims/Farmers
Woman Owned (50%)
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