Regional Recycling Nanaimo - Old Victoria Rd - Bottle Depot

Super helpful staff who told me where to dispose of the various things I was trying to recycle in an effort to keep it out of the landfill

Compared to Saskatchewan, they ask way more to be done before they take. Saskatchewan just dump a bag and they sort. So much easier

First time visiting this place to recycle cans and some plastic bottles. Wasn't familiar with the process and people there gave enough information for me to understand the process. It was in the middle of workday so not too many people there. Was quick and easy.

I am editing my review. 2 stars.
There is an employee whom is native and works in the front with the bins. He is younger, with grey camo shorts and tan boots. 3 times I have heard him disrespect a person for a simple question. The first time was last week, and the 2nd and 3rd time was Friday the 19th of August. The first time the week before, there was a line up for exchange. I asked him standing against the wall outside, if I could give him a few cans for a bag, instead of myself waiting in line for a simple bag. (They cannot accept money), because there was a big line up. He responded that he is "working" and has no time for that. I then observed him for the next 20 min, just kicking it, doing nothing except keeping that wall up.

2nd time, and 3rd are on the same day.
Friday 19th, August. Around 3: 30.

I had a few beer boxes to recycle, and was looking at the bins out front for a cardboard bin. I could not find one. Luckily, I seen buddy leaning against his wall, and was going to as him where I can get rid of this cardboard, but before I asked a couple pulled up with a car part (some gear case) or something to recycle, the husband asked that gentleman where he can drop it off, and he responded with an "It's right here, can't you read the sign"? The husband responded with "Well I guess I don't need your help than". It was very inappropriate. 15 seconds later I asked where to put my cardboard, and he points high up against the building to a sign that has an arrow and "Cardboard". This is a zone with a fork lift going back and forth, as well as an industrial compactor where you have to walk up 3 steel stairs and reach to throw your cardboard in. This is incredibly unsafe.

Bottom line. That dude does not deserve to work with the public, and if you want the public to enter a zone where industrial equipment, and forklift traffic are present, you're asking for an lawsuit.

So, do you guys take back milk and juice containers with the spout or not? My husband says you guys turn those away when he comes with them. I need to know.thank you

Warning: Extremely rude and unhelpful staff! The depot is very disorganized and chaotic, so expect to be confused and then insulted when you can’t figure out their process for yourself.
I am new to the city and it was my first visit. I did not know what to expect, but I did not expect what I got.
This place boasts a large sign instructing patrons to treat their employees with respect. Instead, it should read “our employees are insolent bullies, so don’t let them provoke you”.
Upon entering the depot, you will not be greeted or in any way instructed on what is expected, instead verbally attacked by a disgruntled looking worker for your lack of telepathic ability to follow unspoken rules. Apparently, this disorganized, poorly managed facility should evoke behavior patterns common to more efficient establishments, but the parallels are restricted to the confused delusions of the aforementioned worker.
Outside of this unpleasant interaction, the trip consists of guesswork and a lot of running back and forth to other customers with questions as there is no signage or structure providing any sense of direction.
I do not recommend this facility and strongly suggest a review of the employee in question. He was working during the day on Monday, May 30th around 11AM as one of two men accepting bottles from customers. He was not the older man mentioned in prior reviews, but a young, brown haired individual sporting a beard. He was taller and slighter than his quiet and inoffensive colleague, who should not be confused with the employee in question. Not only did the former fail to greet or help us, he was immediately hostile and attempted to engage in a verbal argument without provocation. To be plain: the first words he spoke were harsh and combative and entirely unprofessional. Words like “please”, “hello” or proper tone were alien to his style of communication. It was extremely unacceptable and disturbing, as I was accompanied by someone with special needs who was distressed by the encounter.
I will not be coming back and will go to the other facility in town instead. I don’t believe, however, that this action will solve anything for the location at Old Victoria, as such employees tend to thrive on scaring off customers not only to satisfy their feelings of discontentment, but also to reduce their own workload. Less clients mean less bottles and less work, no?

I was at this place of business on Old Victoria Rd yesterday and I had the most disgusting & rude service I have ever received! They screamed & yelled at me because someone was helping me to place the recycle water bottles in small boxes instead of a non-transparent white plastic bag. He told me they will not take my recycle bottles today, and told me not to come here again. When I asked what his name was, he told me that I wouldn't know how to spell his name even if he did tell me! He obviously discriminates towards those who speak English as a second language.

A bunch of uneducated, rude, angry bullies at this business! They are a bunch of ignorant employees! I'm shocked they get away with this behavior! I suggest putting your employees through a Respect in the Workplace course as this behavior will affect the other employees.
Do you really think I spent so much time and gas to make a $5 bottle return? I did it because it was the right thing to do!

Staff is knowledgeable, approachable, and willing to teach me about recycling. Always a nice group working there.

Just had the most obnoxious & rude service I've ever received in my life! These days are frustrating enough without being treated so horribly.

Great place for all you're recycling needs. Very clean place for what it is. Lots of buzzing bees around this time of year.

Great place for all you're recycling needs. Very clean place for what it is. Lots of buzzing bees around this time of year.

Kind and friendly staff! 10/10 recommend although be careful in the summer with all of the wasps

Oh my god.the older man who works here is incredibly rude. There is never an excuse for treating customers so horribly the way he does.

I've had really good service in the past. This isn't targeted towards all employees, but there is this one MISERABLE older man. He needs to be let go. I can't believe the amount of disrespect he was giving out towards customers. I truly do not want to go back because of this complete a$$hole.

I can't believe the disrespect this older man gave to me at my visit. The rest of the staff are great. Is that man rude to everyone including the other workers?
How did he even get a job? Who is in charge of hiring? HE SHOULD BE FIRED!

If i could put a big fat ZERO stars i would! The staff at this recycling depot are the absolute worst! Rude! Unhelpful! And miserable! Go to the Hayes Road depot and do yourself a favour!

Due to covid, they now have soap and sanitizer! Idk if its industry standard but they now charge for the bags they are going to stick the bottles in anyways

Went for the first time with appliances and some recycling. Staff was friendly and helpful. They have a good system going. I will be going from now on.

Efficient and never any problems. Friendly staffing whenever I was there. Thank you for the good service!

Regional Recycling was integral to the success of our fundraiser! They provided easy, clear and professional services. We are grateful for their partnership and hope to work with Kevin/Paul again in the near future!

I have been going here for years and have always exchanged my two bags for two more with no problem. Today how ever when I asked for two bags for the two that I turned in which were full of bottles, the person at the till did not want to give me any and said I should have told him before he started cashing the bottles in that I wanted bags for the ones I had turned in with bottles. He did not want to give me any bags. As he was the only cashier and the line up was out the door, I refused to move until I got my bags in exchange. He finally gave me two bags. I would like to know what on earth is wrong with management that you hire people who don't follow the rules that you have setup. I don't hold him responsible. The buck stops with management

-1 star only because of the hours! Its expensive, I know - but what about extended hours on saturday or one day of every week, or even just shifting the business hours one day of the week (like 11-7: 30 instead of 9-5: 30)
just to make it easier on us working folk!
Also you should look into a pick-up service xD qoute them a "cash-in-hand" price plus a small pickup charge, maybe 50-75 cents on the dollar approximately - and you guys could pocket the difference. Might be slow to start out but I bet after a few years it would be a well known, well used service