Long lineups on first day of SARCAN reopening

SARCAN reopened its doors Monday morning, accepting recyclables for the first time since late March, when facilities were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The depot on Rochdale Boulevard in Regina saw a long line extend outside the doors and around the building.

“It’s going to be like this for a long time so I may as well get that torture over with, eh?” said Cathy Howard, laughing. “I just wanted to get them out of the garage, that’s all.”

Indeed, nearly everybody waiting in line was carrying multiple garbage bags full of bottles, cans and bottles. Pickup trucks arrived with their beds filled with recyclables. Some showed up towing small trailers.

“When you live in an apartment, you’ve got to be pretty creative with your space. Under the table, on top of the table, in the closet with the coats,” said Michael van Beselaere.

Logan Kunitz brought a few months’ worth of recycling.

“All of quarantine. You’re sitting at home, doing nothing. On the couch, watching a movie, you’re having a drink. It builds up after quite a while … it’s a little home vacation,” he said.

For those who want to avoid the line, SARCAN’s Sean Homenick recommends their “Drop and Go” option, where patrons sign up online, tag their bags online and drop them off.

SARCAN Saskatoon, Mon. June 15, 2020.
Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)

“It’s going to be our lowest-contact and quickest way to visit SARCAN during our busy summer months …we get a lot of feedback from customers who say, ‘this is a lifesaver. Don’t ever change it. Please don’t ever get rid of this,’ ” he said earlier this month.

Many of those in line considered that option but thought it would be easier just to wait.

Despite the line up, people didn’t seem too annoyed by it.

“Everybody is very patient. You just got to stand in line and take your time. You can’t be in a hurry,” said Debbie Lorenz.

The SARCAN in Saskatoon was just as busy Monday morning, with long line-ups of people carrying as many bags as they could.