A new partnership between the qathet Regional District and Kindred ReBuild has been launched to reduce reusable goods going to landfill and support the goal of net-zero waste.
The regional district said the initiative will support the construction of a Reuse Shed to complement the existing Resource Recovery Centre, which serves as a drop-off site for unwanted items.
The Reuse Shed will focus primarily on construction and renovation materials and will operate on scheduled dates with staff on site.
“The Reuse Shed will be open on specific date and focus on the reuse of items such as tools, building supplies and household fixtures,” they said. “The shed will be staffed by knowledgeable Kindred ReBuild personnel who will stock the Reuse Shed and available to answer questions about repairs, maintenance and upcycling.”
Jason Kouwenhoven, manager of environmental services for the qathet Regional District, said the partnership has been in development for nearly a decade and will benefit communities across the region.
“Working towards zero waste is part of the qathet Regional Districts solid waste plan, and our rebuild program will reduce the waste going to the landfill to 325 kilograms per person per year,” he said.
Kouwenhoven acknowledged the target is ambitious but said it is achievable with sustained effort.
“Our recent data shows we are at about 479 per person right now, and this program is going to be one of the tools we use to close that gap, and to keep materials from going to landfill,” he said. “Other things we do is the recycling program, including composting and shoreline cleanup.”
The regional district currently transports waste to Washington state for disposal and pays both shipping and tipping fees. Kouwenhoven said diverting reusable material locally will reduce costs.
He said the program is not intended to generate profit, but to save money.
“What’s important to know is that a program like this doesn’t need huge numbers to pay for itself,” he said. “We’ve worked the numbers and if we can divert roughly six to seven tonnes per month the savings, we see by not shipping this to landfill will pay for the operations of this program.”
Board chair Clay Brander said the partnership represents a significant step forward for the region.
“The knowledge and experience Kindred ReBuild brings will encourage the reuse and repurposing of items that still have life in them,” he said. “This will reduce what we must pay in shipping costs, the greenhouse gas emissions that transport creates and reinforce our region’s commitment to becoming zero waste.”
The regional district said it will host pop-up Reuse Shed events throughout 2026, with the first scheduled for Jan. 17 and the program running through May.
