Recycling Alternative

What Recycling Alternative does

Recycling Alternative is a privately held, locally owned waste management company headquartered at 449 Industrial Avenue in Vancouver, British Columbia. Founded in 1989 by Louise Schwarz and Robert Weatherbe, the company provides commercial recycling and waste collection services for paper, plastic, organics and electronics, plus full-site management programs that consolidate multiple waste vendors into a single monthly invoice. Its proprietary technology stack centers on on-site composting equipment that uses heat, agitation and microbial action to reduce food-waste volume by 80 percent within 24 hours, a custom three-stream Zero Waste truck for curbside collection, and the greenHUB facility in False Creek Flats, which it operates in co-location with United We Can.

The company generates revenue through a mix of recurring collection subscriptions for commercial and multi-family residential customers, project-based consulting for LEED and BOMA certification compliance, transaction-fee confidential shredding (minimum $45 drop-off charge, $0.35 per pound for pick-up) and hardware sales of on-site composters. Pricing for commercial accounts is bespoke and quote-based. Distribution is enterprise field sales targeting commercial businesses and property managers, supplemented by a self-serve drop-off shredding channel at the Vancouver warehouse and, beginning early 2026, Recycle BC collection services for multi-family residential buildings in four Vancouver neighborhoods.

Recycling Alternative serves a horizontal mix of customers across food and beverage, arts and culture, hospitality, nonprofit and property management segments, with named logos including Bard on the Beach, Earnest Ice Cream, The Vancouver Club, Tacofino and Union Gospel Mission. The firm maintains active community partnerships with United We Can, Strathcona Business Improvement Association, Vancouver Farmers Markets, Mission Possible, Regenerative Waste Labs, Climate Smart and a dozen industry associations, and has received recognition including the 2014 Vancouver Greenest City Award, the 2017 Small Business BC Community Impact Award, the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the 2025 King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Name

Recycling Alternative

Legal name

Recycling Alternative

Website

https://recyclingalternative.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Recycling Alternative is a privately held Vancouver-based waste management firm offering commercial recycling and organics collection, confidential shredding, full-site management and on-site composting to businesses, multi-family residential properties and event organizers across British Columbia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Waste Management Services

NAICS

Solid Waste Collection (562111)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial & Office Waste Collection (Non-hazardous) (EUAIAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Recycling & E-Waste Collection/Hauling (HSAKALAJ), On-site Recycling Programs (Single-Stream, Source-Separated) (BPABALAB), Consumer Electronics Recycling (TVs, AV, Small Electronics) (BPALAIAH)

Keywords

• Commercial waste collection
• Recycling services
• Confidential shredding
• Zero waste consulting
• On-site composting

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Recycling and Waste Collection Services: Collection services for paper, plastic, organics, and electronics for businesses of all sizes. Fully customizable with various equipment options.
2. Full Site Management: Integrated comprehensive waste management programs managing multiple vendors with single monthly invoice.
3. Consulting and Program Services: Waste audits, waste flow analysis, education, engagement, procurement, waste management plans, BOMA & LEED certifications, and equipment sourcing.
4. Confidential Shredding: Drop-off and pickup document destruction services with Certificate of Destruction provided. Minimum charge of $45 for up to 100 pounds, additional weight at $0.35 per pound plus collection fees.
5. Multi-Family Residential Collection Services: Recycle BC collection services for multi-family residential buildings in Vancouver areas (Downtown, False Creek, Mount Pleasant, Kitsilano) beginning early 2026.
6. Composter Sales and Equipment: On-site composters for large volume food waste and compostables management, reducing volume by 80% in 24 hours.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Recycling Alternative provides commercial waste collection services covering paper, plastic, organics, and electronics, along with full-site multi-vendor waste management, confidential document shredding (drop-off and pick-up), on-site food waste composter equipment, and sustainability consulting including waste audits, BOMA/LEED certification support, and event waste management for festivals in Metro Vancouver.

Product overview

Recycling Alternative offers a comprehensive suite of sustainable waste management services for commercial and residential clients. The core offering includes Recycling & Waste Collection (paper, plastic, organics, electronics), Full Site Management, Confidential Shredding, and On-Site Composters. The company also provides Consulting & Engagement services (waste audits, LEED/BOMA certification support, equipment sourcing) and Festivals & Events waste management as add-on modules. Multi-Family Residential Services through Recycle BC expands coverage to apartment buildings. The greenHUB platform serves as the operational facility supporting these services with collaborative circular economy infrastructure. Operating for over 30 years, the company positions itself as a strategic waste partner delivering customized waste reduction and recovery programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Recycling & Waste Collection Collection services for paper, plastic, organics, and electronics. Available for any size business, fully customizable with a wide range of equipment options.
• Full Site Management Comprehensive integrated waste management programs addressing all recycling and waste needs at properties. Manages multiple vendors with one monthly invoice and a single point of contact.
• Confidential Shredding Document destruction services with drop-off and pickup options. Includes same-day shredding at the Vancouver warehouse, Certificate of Destruction provided, bonded and insured.
• On-Site Composters On-site food waste recovery equipment for multi-tenanted food courts. Uses heat, agitation, and microbes to break down food waste in 24 hours, reducing volume by 80% and producing immature compost.
• Consulting & Engagement Sustainable waste management planning and implementation including waste audits, waste flow analysis, education, procurement, waste management plans, BOMA & LEED certifications, and equipment sourcing.
• Festivals & Events Waste Services Waste management services for festivals and events including sustainability partnerships, staff training, waste audits, and zero waste event solutions.
• Multi-Family Residential Recycling Services Recycle BC collection services for multi-family residential buildings including recycling collection and flexible plastics tote delivery across Downtown, False Creek, Mount Pleasant, and Kitsilano Vancouver areas.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% volume reduction for food waste in 24 hours using on-site composters
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Recycle BCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 December 2025Recycling Alternative will begin providing Recycle BC collection services for multi-family residential buildings in Downtown, False Creek, Mount Pleasant, and Kitsilano areas of Vancouver starting early 2026. This is a significant partnership for expanding residential services.
• Regenerative Waste LabscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019End-of-life testing and research facility for companies producing circular products from renewable resources. Specializes in biodegradation testing and research for bio-based products.
• Mission PossiblecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership for Dumpster-Free Laneway pilot project in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, using custom three-stream Zero Waste truck with valet collection from businesses.
• Strathcona Business Improvement Association (SBIA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Partnership for Recycle in Strathcona (RIS) program to develop and deliver a district-wide commercial recycling program. Includes innovative low-emissions electric tricycle collections through partnership with Shift Delivery.
• Shift DeliveryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2015Innovative partnership for low-emissions electric tricycle collections as part of the Recycle in Strathcona program.
• United We CancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Partnership to establish the greenHUB, Vancouver's first recycling co-location model, located less than 1.7 km from downtown Vancouver in the False Creek Flats. United We Can is a Downtown Eastside non-profit bottle depot.
• VancitymajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2014Partnership with Vancity and Green Chair Recycling to bring Zero Waste Events to the community. Recycling Alternative has provided support, expertise, and recycling services to many of Vancouver's festivals.
• Green Chair RecyclingmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2014Partnership with Vancity and Green Chair Recycling to bring Zero Waste Events to the community for festivals and events.
• Vancouver Farmers MarketsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Partnership to pioneer the FoodScraps Drop Spot program, providing apartment and condo residents opportunity to compost food scraps at farmers markets. 55,000 participants over 4 years, diverting 167 tonnes of organics.
• Climate SmartminorOthers · 1 January 2008Recycling Alternative has been a Climate Smart certified business since 2009. Annual carbon emissions tracking and reporting partnership to support ongoing reduction strategy planning.
• Mission PossiblecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for co-developing and delivering innovative community-based recycling models in Vancouver.
• Mattress RecyclingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership for mattress recycling initiatives.
• The Wood Shop Workers Co-opminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership supporting woodworking cooperative in Vancouver.
• Binners' ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership supporting binners' employment and social enterprise.
• Green Chair RecyclingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership for furniture and appliance recycling.
• Buy Social CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation membership for social procurement and buy social initiatives.
• LOCO BCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation membership supporting local economic development in BC.
• National Zero Waste CouncilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation membership advancing zero waste initiatives.
• Recycling Council of BCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation membership for recycling industry standards and best practices.
• Share Repair ReuseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation membership supporting share, repair, and reuse initiatives in circular economy.
• Social Purpose InstituteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation membership advancing social purpose economy.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• GFL Environmental: GFL Environmental is one of Canada's largest waste management companies offering solid waste, recycling, and organics collection to commercial, institutional, and residential customers across Canada. Comparable to Recycling Alternative as the dominant Canadian waste hauler competing for the same Vancouver-area commercial accounts.
• Waste Connections: Waste Connections is a major North American waste services company with operations across Western Canada including BC. Comparable as a large-scale solid waste and recycling collection competitor operating in the same Lower Mainland geography as Recycling Alternative.
• Waste Management Inc. Waste Management is the largest waste and environmental services provider in North America, offering commercial and residential collection, recycling, and organics services. Comparable as a broad-based incumbent whose national accounts capability competes with Recycling Alternative's commercial and multi-family service offerings.
• Republic Services: Republic Services is one of the largest US-based recycling and waste services companies serving commercial, industrial, and residential customers. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the same sustainability-focused waste and recycling collection space targeted by Recycling Alternative.
• Casella Waste Systems: Casella Waste Systems is a regional solid waste, recycling, and resource management services provider in the Northeast US with a strong sustainability brand. Comparable as a mid-sized integrated hauler pursuing organics/recycling growth with regional brand strength similar to Recycling Alternative's positioning.
• Cascades Recovery: Cascades Recovery operates materials recovery facilities (MRFs) and recycling services across Canada. Comparable as a Canadian-focused recycling and recovery operator competing for commercial recycling volume and complementary to Recycling Alternative's collection services.

Regional players

• City of Vancouver - Zero Waste Operations: The City of Vancouver operates and contracts solid waste and recycling services for residential and commercial customers in the same Lower Mainland geography as Recycling Alternative. While not a private peer, it sets service standards and contract terms that Recycling Alternative must meet to compete in Vancouver.
• Sanitation Services Ltd: Sanitation Services Ltd is a Vancouver-based waste and recycling services company serving commercial and residential customers in the Lower Mainland. Directly comparable to Recycling Alternative as a regional commercial waste hauler competing in the same geography and customer base.

Emerging players

• ReFeed Vancouver: ReFeed Vancouver is a Vancouver-based food waste collection and composting service targeting commercial food businesses. Comparable as an emerging player in the same food waste/organics collection niche where Recycling Alternative's on-site composting technology competes.
• GreenStep Solutions: GreenStep Solutions is a Canadian sustainability consulting firm that helps businesses develop sustainability programs including waste audits and LEED certification support. Comparable to Recycling Alternative's consulting and engagement line as it overlaps in waste audits and sustainability advisory services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/recyclingalt
• Facebookfacebook.com/recyclingalternative
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/recycling-alternative
• Instagraminstagram.com/RecyclingAlternative

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Recycling Alternative