Approval from the Regional District, which is responsible for waste management, was tentative at first. The Society was granted a one year "pilot project" which recently ended on December 31, 2004.

But it took only nine months to prove the business a win-win proposition for all concerned. Reducing waste means less garbage in the District landfill and less soil that has to be purchased to cover it, meaning less cost to the District. The Regional District board voted unanimously to grant the project a second year of funding.

The BVRC is run by the non-profit Smithers and Area Recycling Society. Besides recycling, the Society provides employment for the mentally disabled and physically challenged. Until it gets busier, volunteers like Art and Ernie oversee two full and two part-time special-needs employees.

The Society is also an avenue for long-term funding for special-needs programs. One such program is the annual Special Olympic program. For every hour volunteered by Ernie and Art, a donation is made towards these games. "When there are enough funds available, of course," Art points out. He adds that they're also looking into the possibility of setting up housing for these special-needs persons, funded through proceeds from the BVRC.