Photo: Contributed - Tom Elwell

A man, his mountain bike, his trailer and his heart are making waves in a North Rutland neighbourhood as his bi-weekly habit is getting attention for all the right reasons.

For years Bill Hurst has been riding his bike around the community and collecting cans and bottles on garbage day, pilling them into the small trailer he tows behind his bike.

He piles them into the trailer until his bungee cord can no longer hold them down and then pedals off to the Bottle Depot.

Like many in our society, some of his neighbours assumed he was down on his luck or his recyclable collecting was for money to support less-than-desirable activities, but as it turns out – every cent he raises goes to the SPCA.

“I go out every second week on blue bin day,” says Hurst. “Some people put them out for me, other people put them in the bins. I go around on my bike and collect them all.”

Hurst spoke to Castanet on the Wednesday after collecting $78.65 in bottles, that cash will go into his 'black container' which he fills until it reaches about the $300 mark, then he heads to the SPCA.

“Today was a good day, but none of it is for me,” says Hurst.

Hurst says he has been on disability for over four years now and he collects the empties partly out of boredom, but mostly for the animals.

“I sit at home all day and do nothing because I am on disability so I will jump on my bike and go out on a ride,” says Hurst. “In the last 13 years I've had a few cats and the SPCA has helped get them fixed so they wouldn’t have kittens. I love animals.”

Hurst estimates he has donated thousands of dollars over the years just by collecting empties.

His neighbour, Tom Elwell, was one of those who was a little weary of the man that goes through the bins on recycling day. When he heard the real story he called Castanet right away.

“He is a cool gentleman trying to do his part for society,” says Elwell. “He is a real gem. He is really appreciative and doesn't want much. We all hate to hear the brutal stories in the news, but this is the kind of story people like to hear about in the community.”

While the local BC SPCA branch does not remember Hurst, as he says he quickly drops it off and always donates anonymously, they are grateful to everyone that donates and cares about the animals.

The Kelowna BC SPCA branch reminds everyone that empties themselves can be donated directly to the SPCA, saving you a trip to the Bottle Depot.

Bottles can be dropped off at the Kelowna SPCA at 3785 Casorso Road, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“Huge thanks to our community for bringing their recyclables directly to the shelter and supporting the Kelowna BC SPCA and our animals,” says Kaylyn Robinson of the SPCA.