A Bow Valley circular reuse system

Every year, over 7,000 tonnes of waste go to the Francis Cooke Landfill. Much of it is still usable.

Landfill space is running out. The Francis Cooke Lanfill is expected to reach capacity within 30 years. There is no room to expand and no nearby alternatives. With Canmore expected to grow significantly, we must reduce what we bury.

Right now, there is no coordinated system to keep these materials circulating locally. Our project aims to change that…

What is the reuse Bow Valley pilot project?

ReUse Bow Valley is a pilot project helping divert construction, renovation, demolition (CRD) waste—and some household items—from the landfill and back into the Bow Valley community for free. Contributors refer to people who offer items to the ReUse Bow Valley network, and Reusers are those who take and use the items for free. 

Anyone can participate as a contributor or re-user in this free network.

Have items to contribute?

Contributors can post items directly in the Reuse Bow Valley Facebook Group with the item, size, key details, and condition, then coordinate pick-up directly with the reusers to get items to the reusers. See full posting guidelines below. 

• When sold, contributors must remove the item listing from the Facebook Group.

• Contributors can drop-off items at the Reuse Hub (Unit B3, 105 Boulder Crescent) during operating hours (Thursday 3-6pm; Saturdays 8-10am). 

• We DO NOT accept drop-offs outside of operating hours. Please do not leave items outside of operating hours. 

• We only accept items that meet the criteria outlined below, and we reserve the right to decline donations. 

If you are unsure whether your items are accepted, you can have them pre-approved in advance by emailing reuse@biosphereinstitute.org or bring them during operating hours and our volunteers will let you know if they are suitable for the project.

Looking for free materials or items?

• Reusers can browse available listings in the Reuse Bow Valley Facebook Group and arrange pick-up directly from contributors

• Reusers can pick items for free from the Reuse Hub (Unit B3, 105 Boulder Crescent) during operating hours (Thursday 3-6pm; Saturdays 8-10am).

Reuse Hub Hours of Operation (Unit B3, 105 Boulder Crescent, Canmore, AB)
Thursdays: 3 pm – 6 pm
Saturdays: 8 am – 10 am
Drop-in hours are subject to change, and will expand as we acquire new volunteers.

What items do we accept? 

We accept high-value, high-quality CRD items that can be reused in homes and building projects. We will also accept household items on a case-by-case basis if approved by our staff through reuse@biosphereinstitute.org

Priority items include doors, windows, millwork (kitchen cabinets, vanities etc.), flooring (tiles, vinyl, hardwood), roofing supplies, lumber (minimum 4ft), fixtures, and other durable construction or renovation materials that still have plenty of life left in them.

See below for more details:

Need delivery?

Flying Pigs offers scheduled pickup and delivery services at the following hourly rates:

• Single-person jobs – $138/hr
  Includes one driver for items that can be safely handled by a single person.

• Two-person jobs – $173.25/hr
  Includes a second team member for larger, heavier, or more difficult items requiring additional assistance.

All pickups and deliveries are by appointment and subject to availability, with services typically scheduled on Wednesdays.

If you would like to arrange a pickup or delivery, please reach out to check availability and schedule an appointment. Whenever possible, we kindly ask for approximately one week’s notice to help us coordinate scheduling smoothly.

Use at your own risk.

Contributors and reusers are responsible for evaluating the suitability and safety of items. The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley and its partners will not be held responsible or liable for the condition, use, or transport of materials shared here, or any injuries or damages to property sustained by contributors and reusers or their collaborators connected with the ReUse Bow Valley project.

Be respectful and community-minded. The goal is to reuse materials and keep them out of the landfill.

Why does the Bow Valley need this?

The Bow Valley is facing three big challenges: affordability, waste, and lack of space. All of these challenges are connected.

volunteer with us!

We’re building this system with the community. We are looking for volunteers that can commit minimum of 2 hours per week. Email reuse@biosphereinstitute.org to learn more.

If you’re a resident, contractor, business, or community organization, and you’re interested in helping shape this project, we’d love to hear from you.

Click the button below to email us and learn more about getting involved!

Together, let’s design a reuse system that works for the Bow Valley.