Our Accomplishments

In 1972, a small branch of the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) decided to launch a local pilot project to explore a new "fad". That fad was recycling. What started as the vision of a small group of dedicated environmentalists has grown into a mainstream activity embraces by thousands of people across our communities.

Maple Ridge Recycling Movement Founders

Bob Cordoni
In 1972, Bob attended an Earth Day conference in Victoria, and was struck by the simplicity and common sense of their pilot recycling program. Says Bob, "In those days, everyone in environmental groups was serious about making the world a better place to live. Recycling seemed like a natural avenue to pursue." He enthusiastically proposed that the local SPEC group undertake a recycling project. The rest, as they say, is history. "Recycling has worked out well. The program today is absolutely wonderful and the educational aspect is where the recycling society really shines."

Bill Archibald
As a teacher with a social conscience, Bill Archibald was concerned about the environment. He helped form the local SPEC group to undertake a major clean-up of the Alouette River and was actively involved in the launch of the fist recycling project. "Everything was done by volunteers," he says, reflecting on hand-loading a 22-tonne trailer with bundled newspaper. "We did everything by hand and by donations. The twine to tie the newspaper bundles was donated by local farmers; volunteers crushed cans, bundled newspaper and repaired buildings. They were a great group of people to be involved with."

Beryl Cunningham
A lifelong environmentalist, Beryl Cunningham was an early member of SPEC. "I was one of those way-out people," she says, "an environmentalist and a recycler. I got involved with all SPEC's projects and I've been at it ever since, advocating left, right and centre for recycling." One of the first board members of Ridge Meadows Recycling Society, she has volunteered with the organization for nearly three decades. "There has been absolutely huge progress. We could not ever have imagined what recycling has become. We've made huge strides forward."

Julie Koehn
Julie Koehn has served the recycling effort in Maple Ridge continuously for thirty years. Says Julie, "I remember when Bob Cordoni came back from the Earth Day conference with the idea of starting a local recycling depot. He inspired us. I went to Belkin Paperboard, with my baby in tow, to establish our first paper market." An old shed on the Koehn property in Hammond was the first paper recycling depot. It was eventually replaced by a donated building sited at the Cottonwood landfill. The group had proposed the municipality fund their efforts, a proposal that was considered grandiose at the time. Says Julie, "Today, we are partners with the municipality. I think it's wonderful.
We've built amazing credibility and support.

Dave Koehn
Dave Koehn an early member of the local SPEC group, Dave became the first president of the Ridge Meadows Recycling Society. Together with a group of dedicated volunteers, Dave helped find creative and innovative ways to improve recycling." Dave was the volunteer depot manager at Cottonwood and started the first curbside collection. "We had an old cube van that barely ran. We recieved a grant and I hired our first truck drivers. I look around now and we have a fleet of trucks. I think 'Wow! Right on!'" Dave has tremendous pride in current recycling programs. "The faith we had in our ideas has come to fruition. Recycling is now looked at as a business.
We've proven that it can work."

Candace Gordon
Candace Gordon started working for SPEC as a truck driver in 1979. From driver, to fund raiser to depot manager, Candace's work with the group grew. She wrote the constitution that incorporated the Ridge Meadows Recycling Society as a seperate entity from SPEC in 1981. The recycling society applied for grants and provided work experience for people with mental illnesses. This led to a more organized effort to work with people with disabilities. Says Candace, "I just think, 'Wow, what a phenomenal success story.' RMRS takes a business approach, yet has always maintained a focused commitment to the environment. This has enabled us to weather the low points in the market. One of our strongest points is the way we engage the community. People feel they're part of the solution."

A History of Recycling Services

1972: SPEC volunteers start recycling in Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows
1974: SPEC acquires use of site at Cottonwood Landfill
1976: First part-time employee hired
1980: Multi-material curbside collection starts
1981: Ridge Meadows Recycling Society formed
1987: GVRD Award for significant contributions to recycling in the GVRD
1988: GVRD Award for significant contributions to recycling in the GVRD
1989: GVRD Award for significant contributions to recycling in the GVRD
1990: State-of-the-art recycling depot built on GVRD land by the District of Maple Ridge with GO BC funds
1990: BC Hydro fridge buy-back program implemented
1992: Curbside blue box program begins
1993: BC Minister's Environmental Award
1993: First 1500 home compost bins distributed
1994: Master Recycler Composter volunteer program launched
1995: Second 1500 home compost bins distributed
1995: Compost Education Garden opens, in parternership with Fraser Information Society
1995: Curbside cardboard collection launched with yellow bag
1996: Expanded commercial recycling program
1996: Paint recycling program launched
1997: Signed partnership with District of Maple Ridge
1997: Added plastics recycling (pop bottles, milk jugs) to depot program
1997: Volunteer Centre opened at depot
1997: Blue Bag for newspapers & Orange Bag for cans added to curbside collection
1998: Green Bag for office paper & magazines added to curbside collection
1999: Apartment Recycling Collection program started
2000: Plastics recycling (1, 2, 4 & 5) added to curbside & depot programs
2001: "Towards Zero Waste" goal adopted, MR Carpet & MR Community
Savings sponsor reprints of orange & yellow bags
2002: Celebrated 30 years of recycling with a reunion and Open House
at the depot.
2003: Replaced diesel engine w/electric motor and LED exit lights
installed. Survey: 96% of residents recycle.
2004: Bluebox routes expanded to 256th St - 1200 new homes -up 33%
plastics - up 9% tonnage overall
2005: Designed new Commercial & Apartment trucks. Organized Earth Day at the ACT

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