Courtenay Return-It Depot - Courtenay, British Columbia

Robyn T.

Definitely a mood ruiner, Going down with a backpack full and a tote bag 25 plus bottles cans in each putting cans in sort trey while in line. Not much but figure I get change to snack, counted by them given a 4.80 ticket, then they made a new one taking two bucks off then was 2.80, I said nothing when I should. Was I really that much of a inconvenience with two bags in the line to adjust a very low return. Killed my day thanks. Sort yourself and count estimate small returns!! Maybe was coworker who told new person to lower it. Terrible

- They reached out and waited for me to drop by and fixed it for me, thank you.

Algy G.

A regular visit for us, since they take most of the items that curbside pickups don't, like Soft Plastics (Plastic Bags etc.). Household & Computer Appliances, Glass & Deposit Bottles alike, Batteries, Metal, Bulbs, even Polystyrene. Well organised and always buzzing. My favourite service is run by the guys outside - I park the Car next to their area, ask them if they want the Deposit Bottles (so far always yes), they take them, sort them and hand them in for some much needed cash and I spend all of a minute or 2 there, freeing me from the whole sorting thing inside. I save time and they get some money - win-win!

South S.

Yesterday was my first trip here and it was busy. After waiting inside for a cart and blue trays I quickly unloaded my bottles and cashed out. The counter staff worked quick and it seemed like an efficient but busy operation.

Keith F.

Yes they provide a service for returning your bottles for deposit. But. This bottle return depot is filthy and the trays they make you put your returnable into are filthy and coated with sticky grungy pop and alcohol.
I can't believe the health department has not shut them down based on how dirty all those bottle return trays are.

Christo S.

Fantastic staff here who do an amazing job despite the huge volume of recyclables. I tip my hat to every employee at this site for their professionalism and their ability to keep their cool especially when some of the more demanding clients come through.

Danika P.

I really didn’t want to have to post this, but after what happened at the local bottle depot today, I feel like people need to be aware of how things are being handled there. If I could give 0 stars to the manager I would.

My partner was physically shoved by another person at the depot — right in front of staff. This same individual also began harassing him about our late daughter, bringing her up in a cruel and manipulative way just to push him out of the way and grab more cans. What’s worse is that when my partner tried to handle it the right way — calmly, by going to the manager like he’d been told to in the past — he was the one who got banned.

And yes — he did throw a can in the other person’s general direction in retaliation. That’s what management used as the reason for banning him. But let’s be honest here: he was physically shoved, verbally harassed, and emotionally pushed to his absolute limit. The person who started everything — the one who put hands on him and said the most disgusting things — faced zero consequences. That’s what’s so frustrating.

This isn’t even the first time this person has caused problems. He’s harassed my partner about our daughter before. He’s shoved our elderly friend into a shopping cart. He even sits in his vehicle filming people through the hood, reporting them to management just to get others banned so he can have the place to himself. But somehow, he’s the one who gets to stay.

Honestly, I’m embarrassed to even be writing this. It’s not where I ever imagined life taking us, but right now we’re grieving, we’re struggling, and we’ve been using bottle returns just to stay afloat — to help with groceries, bills, and basic survival. It’s not about drugs, partying, or quick cash like it is for many of the regulars there. We’re just trying to get by. And now, even that small source of help has been taken from us — not because of what we did, but because of what management allowed.

I’m heartbroken, angry, and incredibly disappointed. People deserve to know what kind of behavior is being tolerated in our community — and who’s being protected when it’s easier to look the other way.

Christine B.

I am very happy with the service. I know the job is a tough one. I'm shocked though that they no longer replace the bags you recycle in. I'm even more shocked that I have to pay. $2.50 to purchase the bags. That's ridiculous and that is shocking.

Pida B.

I have officially just started giving my empties away. I can't phathom going to this place anymore. The people outside are horrendous. Not polite and mooching money off me. I don't feel safe here. I can't imagine how the staff must feel if the customers feel this way.