THE COMMUNITY PICKUP PROJECT
Support your local Diverter by having refundable containers picked up in bulk!
Diverters: Individuals who divert waste, otherwise known as binners and waste pickers. Diverting involves bottle collection, waste picking, or binning to earn income and divert waste into recycling instead of the landfill.
WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY PICKUP PROJECT?
The Diverter Community Pickup Project coordinates with residents of Victoria to arrange for a Diverter to retrieve their returnables (bottles and cans) upon request.
Community pick-ups allow Diverters to gain income from refunds, reduce the stigma associated with diverting, and to build community relationships.
The Diverter Community Pickup Project is a completely Diverter-designed and Diverter-run program, with administrative support of the Foundation Board.
HOW THE COMMUNITY PICKUP PROJECT WORKS
1. FILL OUT OUR REQUEST FORM.
Once you’ve decided you’d like a pickup, you’ll provide some basic information on your pickup. This includes when, where, how many returnables you have, and what type.
2. THE OPERATION MANAGER WILL ASSIGN A DIVERTER TO THE REQUESTED PICKUP
The Diverter Operations Manager will process your request and match a Diverter with your pickup request.
We assign pickups every Wednesday during our weekly meeting and will contact you after to confirm the time and location of your pickup.
3. CURBSIDE PICKUP OR BOTTLE DEPOT PICKUP.
Pickups can be done curbside at your address, or at the Bottle Depot. Whichever is preferred!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO SIGN UP FOR A COMMUNITY PICKUP?
You are a resident of Victoria.
You have at least one large black garbage bag of returnables.
WHAT ARE YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES? IS THIS PROGRAM COVID-SAFE?
The Diverters Foundation follows all health guidelines from the Province of British Columbia. Our Diverters will be wearing masks and latex gloves for the pickup. They also will be provided hand sanitizer and will have agreed to our Diverters Safety and Health Procedures as a requirement to join the program.
WHY DO I HAVE TO HAVE A MINIMUM VOLUME OF RETURNABLES?
Diverters expect a minimum quantity of returnables to ensure the pickup is worth the time it takes to execute the pickup (usually taking an hour or more per pickup).
CAN A DIVERTER HELP ME CARRY MY RETURNABLES FROM INSIDE MY RESIDENCE TO OUTSIDE?
No, Diverters cannot enter residences. You must bring all your returnables outside for your pickup.
CAN I HAVE THE SAME DIVERTER DO MY PICKUPS?
Definitely! In the request form, you will be asked if there is a preferred Diverter you’d like to see.
HOW ARE DIVERTERS RECRUITED?
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Diverters are individually recruited by our Operations Manager. Diverters must sign the Code of Conduct and Release of Liability, and agree to abide by all program Safety and Health Procedures.
CONSIDERATIONS
Please be mindful that pickups are assigned at our weekly meetings on Wednesdays. It may take a few days to arrange your pick up depending on the day of your request.
We appreciate your patience and support!While we are vetting Diverters to be part of this program, The Diverters' Foundation is not liable for Diverters (Diverters are not employees of the Foundation).
THANK YOU!
This project is possible with the help of the City of Victoria's Strategic Plan Grant.