It was the grandest ribbon-cutting for a series of recycling bins in Prince Rupert’s history, but it also symbolized a greener and more sustainable future.
As of last weekend, the Skeena —Queen Charlotte Regional District’s (SQCRD) 24-hour-per-day recycling transfer station is now open thanks to a funding partnership between the district, the Prince Rupert Port Authority, the Coast Sustainability Trust, the Government of Canada and the City of Prince Rupert.
Mainland Solid Waste Management Committee member Jean Martin was on hand, along with SQCRD chair Barry Pages to open up the facility to the public.
“It’s a great honour and privilege to be here,” said Pages on Saturday.
“Recycling has been an issue that the regional district has been discussing for a number of years and we’re proud of how [the transfer station] has turned out.”
Martin prepared a few words for the opening as well, stating some figures and data she hopes will be higher in the future with the brand new station.
“More than 500 Prince Rupert families recycle regularly and I hope this new drop-off facility will encourage much more participation,” said Martin.
Also on hand to break in the new facility were Prince Rupert Mayor Jack Mussallem and Port Authority director of public affairs Ken Veldman.
“For us, it’s a real honour to work on a project with other organizations which share similar values as we do,” said Veldman.