At Recycle BC, we understand that growth comes through learning.
We walk with intention, guided by respect and listening in our relationships with Indigenous communities. Like a flower rooted in rich soil, our work grows through the wisdom carried across generations, teaching us to care for the land and reduce waste in ways that restore balance and renewal.
Walking the Path of Reflection and Learning
Our journey led us to participate in a traditional sweat lodge ceremony, a sacred space for healing, reflection, and connection.
Inside the lodge, surrounded by the elements of earth, fire, water, and air, we listened as Elders shared teachings about our responsibilities to the land, to one another, and to future generations.
This experience was more than spiritual. It became a guiding force, shaping the values that now underpin our Indigenous Relations path and our approach to sustainability guided by traditional knowledge.
From this sacred ceremony, four guiding principles emerged. These principles help us see recycling not only as an operation, but as a way of life rooted in respect, reciprocity, and relationship:
Kinship and Interconnectedness We are all related—people, animals, the land, and the materials we use. Recycling honours these relationships by reducing harm and respecting the natural world.
The Sacredness of Life Life is sacred. Recycling sustains life by protecting ecosystems, conserving resources, and ensuring a healthier future for all living beings.
Kindness and Respect in Action Good relationships are built on care. Recycling is an act of kindness to the Earth, to future generations, and to our communities.
Helping One Another We cannot do it alone. Recycling is a shared responsibility, and when we support one another, we all thrive.
We are committed to respecting the culturally rich history, and the inherent and unceded rights that the land in which we operate holds with Indigenous Peoples of British Columbia, in stewardship, care and leadership.
We honour the deep spiritual connection that Indigenous Peoples share with the land, water and air – a relationship rooted in interconnectedness, guided by traditional knowledge and way of knowing.
We embrace the opportunity for continued learning and shared experiences in our work of environmental stewardship and partnership with Indigenous Peoples and communities across British Columbia.
Moving Towards Reconciliation
At Recycle BC, we recognize the importance of actively advancing reconciliation by embedding guiding principles that honour the Indigenous ways of knowing and cultural recognition in all that we do. We are committed to continuous learning, listening, transparency, and partnership in our journey towards environmental integrity and Indigenous sovereignty.
A garden is not nurtured in a single season – it requires patience and constant care. At Recycle BC, we are committed to this journey, watering the seeds of awareness, pulling back the weeds of misunderstanding, and helping the values of truth, respect, and healing flourish.
As part of this commitment, we have donated to the PEPAKEN HÁUTW Foundation www.pepakenhautw.com, a WSÁNEĆ-led not-for-profit organization dedicated to restoring Indigenous ecosystems, revitalizing cultural knowledge, and creating land-based learning opportunities.