One Vernon bottle depot is reopening after shutdown to protect staff, community

A Vernon bottle depot is reopening after a temporary shutdown to protect its staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chasers Bottle Depot, on 31 Street, is reopening Monday, April 20, according to its latest Facebook post.

"We closed March 20 in support of our frontline workers, as well as to protect our staff and their families and our customers to keep this community safe. Moving forward we have been deemed an essential service and are asking for your help as it is time to reopen,” according to the bottle depot in a Facebook post.

The depot has been preparing for opening to ensure physical distancing measures are followed.

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“If you do not want to sort and just want to donate your bottles please keep the food bank and Upper Room Mission in mind as they could use the help at this time,” according to the Facebook post.

The depot’s hours will be Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

According to the province, businesses that support environmental management/monitoring including recycling collection, processing and disposal are considered an essential service. 

Other Vernon, Lumby and Enderby bottle depots are currently closed, according to the depots' websites. A Return-It depot on Pleasant Valley Road location in Armstrong is open, according to the Return-It website.

Chasers Bottle Depot could not be immediately reached for comment.
 

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