The SARCAN recycling depot in Estevan was a very busy place in its first week back in service.
The depot reopened to the public on June 15, after being closed for 2 1/2 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it seemed that many people were eager to bring in their empty cans and bottles.
According to information supplied by manager Connie Hagel, Estevan’s SARCAN location had 896 customers enter and 292,215 containers were recycled. Activity levels were above normal, but Hagel also pointed out this is their busy time of the year.
“On average, we do 20,000 to 30,000 (containers per day), that’s on our off-season,” Hagel said in an interview with the Mercury. “But we’re in our busy season, which is the summer, and this would be an average day. It’s average for us, but it was an influx of people.”
The number of people is definitely above average.
In addition to the regular recycling bays, people have accessed SARCAN through its bulk recycling and its drop and go service.
Hagel noted that people were already lined up when she arrived for work before 7 a.m. Monday. Lineups could be seen outside the depot at the start of each day.
“I think for a while it will be the normal for people lining up early, early, just to be the first in line and get through it quickly,” said Hagel.
Executive director Trish Salmers noted there have been people lined up outside the depot throughout the day, every day.
Monday and Friday have been the busiest days.
“Everybody has been hoarding their cans, so we’ve been straight-through busy,” said Hagel.
The bulk drop-off has been consistently busy as well. As soon as they count all the containers, more people are coming in. Their bulk area was open a week before access to the public resumed.
They’re also trying to get people to use the drop-and-go option, which is a relatively new service through SARCAN.
Four stations are routinely open.
Once they did get in the door, customers noticed several changes in the way the depot did business, but Hagel noted that customers handled the situation very well.
“They know that because of COVID-19, there are new rules. They’re very understanding for the lineup. The lineups are going fairly quickly. If you’re at the end of the line, and there’s a lot of people in the line, it’s about a 30-minute wait,” said Hagel. “So it’s not too, too bad, I don’t think, and people get processed fairly quickly. The customers are great. They’re very understanding.”
“Everyone in the community is always very supportive of us, so this is no different,” added Salmers.
The executive director also praised the people who work in the depot for the way in which they have handled the activity in the first week. Sixteen people are employed at the depot.
“The staff have been great. It’s been busier. I think they’re going home a little more tired,” said Salmers.
Customers who come to SARCAN are greeted by a recycling guide, Rebekah Seivewright, who will direct customers where to go, and remind them of the procedures. She also tells people what to do if they need to recycle electronics or if they want to use the drop and go service. Hagel compared her to an air traffic controller.
People will also notice a greater emphasis on cleaning procedures. They sanitize each of the four stations after each customer, and they sanitize at the till. Plexiglas barriers have been installed between customers and employees. And people need to stand back while counting the order.
Customers also don’t have to sign a form after the staff sorts the recyclables.
The number of customers allowed in the depot is limited to the four bays. All four bays are in service throughout the day, except for during the noon hour, when three will be in service.
If anyone has questions, and they can’t be answered at the depot, they can visit www.sarcan.ca.
