United We Can Bottle Depot


Save Our Living Environment (SOLE) is a non-profit organization committed to improving existing urban conditions by implementing sustainable practices. One of SOLE's largest accomplishments was the creation of the United We Can Bottle Depot located in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. The Depot has 13 full-time and 7 part-time employees. By providing full refunds for bottles, it supports many poor people, and 'binners'. The project currently receives 65% of the operating costs through handling fees paid by manufacturers, and aims to be financially self-sufficient as handling fees rise.

Project Accomplishments:

  • recycled almost 25 million containers
  • paid out over $1.75 million in refunds to mostly poor customers
  • provided jobs to inner city residents who were previously receiving welfare
  • created the Crossroads and Lanes Neighborhood Clean up Project, which is cleaning up the city by removing litter, and graffiti from the downtown core

Project: United We Can Bottle Depot
Category: Recycling
Address: 39 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6A 1M9
Phone: 681-0001
Contact: Ken Lyotard