Return-It to amp up recycling at Vancouver PNE and Playland

Return-It has is partnering with the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) to help take recycling and sustainability efforts to new heights at the PNE and Playland.

This summer, Return-It, Burnaby, British Columbia, is providing recycling training for PNE seasonal staff, updating recycling signage across the fairgrounds.

As the largest employer of youth in British Columbia and a popular venue for young people to visit, the PNE, which is owned by the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, helps to shape future recycling habits. Through this partnership, the PNE and Playland staff will receive training to actively promote and support recycling initiatives as part of a shared commitment to empower youth to become recycling role models.

“We are thrilled to join forces with the PNE to bring sustainability to the forefront of the visitor experience,” Return-It President and CEO Cindy Coutts says. “This partnership aligns with our mission to foster a world where nothing is waste. We know that convenience is key to encouraging the recycling of empty beverage containers, so by making recycling bins readily available and recognizable throughout the park and educating both staff and visitors, we are empowering them to actively participate in creating a cleaner and more sustainable community.”

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Playland and the PNE attract more than 380,000 visitors annually, which makes it a perfect venue to inspire responsible recycling practices. As part of the enhanced partnership, Return-It has refreshed and updated signage for the 220 dedicated on-site beverage container recycling bins throughout the park, making it easier for guests to conveniently recycle their used beverage containers. These stations will be managed by hundreds of trained workers hired to help guests put waste in the proper place.

“The PNE is pleased to partner with Return-It on this initiative, which will enhance our existing recycling infrastructure at Playland and help to further increase our site-wide diversion rate of 78 percent,” PNE President and CEO Shelley Frost says. “As one of the best-attended family and youth attractions in the province, giving opportunities to support and promote environmental stewardship aligns with our core organizational values.”

As part of this collaboration, Return-It has introduced an educational “Roll-a-Ball” game located at the Playland midway where guests can race their favorite Return-It Gang character to the depot. The winner of the race will receive a plush Return-It character, recognizable from the Return-It commercials.

“I am delighted to see Return-It’s partnership with the PNE. I think we are all understanding more and more about our personal environmental impacts and how we can work together to reduce waste,” says the Honourable Niki Sharma, attorney general and member of the legislative assembly for Vancouver-Hastings. “This is an important effort to promote environmental sustainability and a fun way to teach kids about recycling and taking care of the environment.”