Building sustainable habits
Across Maple Ridge
We believe that a truly healthy community takes care of its environment and its people in equal measure. Since 1972, we’ve grown from a small group of volunteers collecting newspapers in a backyard shed into a cornerstone of Maple Ridge’s green future.
We aren't just a recycling depot; we are a community-based, non-profit society dedicated to the idea that everyone has a role to play in building a sustainable world.
How We Grew From Vision to Action
Ridge Meadows Recycling Society began with residents who saw waste as a problem worth solving. We started small, learning what our community needed most. Below are milestones of events that have shaped the Ridge Meadows Recycling Society to this date..
1970–1972
The Backyard Roots
Local volunteers, inspired by the first Earth Day celebration begin collecting glass and tin in a Hammond backyard shed to prove that recycling is possible.
1974–1976
The First Depot
A dedicated recycling area opens at the local landfill to show residents that “not everything is garbage,” leading to the hiring of the Society’s first employee.
1980–1981
Going Official
Curbside collection begins and the group officially incorporates as the Ridge Meadows Recycling Society, establishing itself as a regional leader.
1990–1993
Building for the Future
The current 236th Street Depot is built, the iconic Blue Box program launches, and the Society begins distributing backyard composters.
1996–2000
Expanding the List
The Society scales up services to include apartment buildings and businesses, adding paint and plastics to the list of accepted materials.
2001–2012
The Zero Waste Vision
The Society adopts a “Toward Zero Waste” philosophy and becomes the lead coordinator for the community’s annual Celebrate Earth Day festival.
2014–2018
Modern Innovation
Financing responsibilities of the Blue Box program shifts to a provincially mandated, producer responsibility organization (Recycle BC) while the Society launches creative new programs like Textile Recycling and the Repair Café.
2022–2025
50 Years & Beyond
After celebrating its 50th Anniversary, the curbside collection transitions to direct service by Recycle BC and the Society focuses on Depot expansion and new specialized waste reduction and recycling programs.
1970–1972
The Backyard Roots
Local volunteers, inspired by the first Earth Day celebration begin collecting glass and tin in a Hammond backyard shed to prove that recycling is possible.
1974–1976
The First Depot
A dedicated recycling area opens at the local landfill to show residents that “not everything is garbage,” leading to the hiring of the Society’s first employee.
1980–1981
Going Official
Curbside collection begins and the group officially incorporates as the Ridge Meadows Recycling Society, establishing itself as a regional leader.
1990–1993
Building for the Future
The current 236th Street Depot is built, the iconic Blue Box program launches, and the Society begins distributing backyard composters.
1996–2000
Expanding the List
The Society scales up services to include apartment buildings and businesses, adding paint and plastics to the list of accepted materials.
2001–2012
The Zero Waste Vision
The Society adopts a “Toward Zero Waste” philosophy and becomes the lead coordinator for the community’s annual Celebrate Earth Day festival.
2014–2018
Modern Innovation
Financing responsibilities of the Blue Box program shifts to a provincially mandated, producer responsibility organization (Recycle BC) while the Society launches creative new programs like Textile Recycling and the Repair Café.
2022–2025
50 Years & Beyond
After celebrating its 50th Anniversary, the curbside collection transitions to direct service by Recycle BC and the Society focuses on Depot expansion and new specialized waste reduction and recycling programs.
Our Principles
Whether you are a new resident or a long-time neighbor, we make it easy to "Recycle it Right." While curbside pickup is now managed by our partners at Recycle BC, the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot is your 7-day-a-week hub for over 200 specialty items. From electronics to textiles, we ensure your household resources are handled with care and responsibility.
Integrity & Transparency
Leading the community through education and honest recycling practices. From day one, we've believed in multi-stream recycling, separating materials at the source to maximize recovery and quality. This philosophy remains core to our operations today.
Community Partnership
RMRS has always been a community effort, built on the dedication of volunteers, staff, partners, and residents who share our environmental vision and providing meaningful employment and skill-building for people with developmental disabilities.
Environmental Stewardship
We're committed to the "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" hierarchy to protect the environment for future generations by reducing waste, conserving resources, and promoting sustainable practices.
Innovation & Adaptation
From pioneering multi-stream recycling in the 1970s to embracing EPR programs today, we've never stopped innovating and evolving to meet new challenges. We constantly add new programs like the Repair Cafe and PaintShare
Our Team
Our work is a true team effort, driven by the shared dedication of our Board of Directors and our Staff members. Together, they serve as the stewards of our future, balancing strategic vision with daily action to ensure Maple Ridge remains a leader in sustainability. While our Board provides the leadership to navigate new challenges, our Staff brings that vision to life every day at the Depot. As your neighbors and partners, we are committed to protecting our local environment and building a more inclusive community for generations to come.
Alda Nicmans
Lorne Skoropada
Leanne Koehn
Dan Mikolay
Floyd MacDonald
Adam Sanders
Glen Shipp
Candace Gordon
Kelly Swift
Kathi Halpin
Sandy Sigmund
Cheryl Ashlie
Monica Hinch
Jim Rule
Amrinder Atwal
Jake Rudolph
What We’ve Accomplished Together in 2025
4,400
Tonnes Waste Diverted at the Depot
180,000
Annual visits to the Depot
200+
Types of Commodities Recycled
28
Tonnes of Textiles
Over the last five decades, your commitment has helped us divert thousands of tonnes of material from landfills and create meaningful employment for neighbors of all abilities.
