Not Your Average Cleanup: When a 1,389lb Sea Lion Washes Ashore

Most people don’t start their morning thinking about what to do if a 1,389lb sea lion carcass washes up on a public beach. Municipalities don’t exactly have a playbook for that either. But when it happened in White Rock, BC, the call came to us at Recycle It Canada — because tackling the tough, unusual, and downright messy jobs is what we do best.

The Call That Changed Our Day

Once the municipality contacted us, our team quickly mobilized. This wasn’t a simple pickup. Wildlife carcasses are heavy, difficult to handle, and pose potential health and environmental risks if not managed properly.

The sea lion had to be wrapped intact and securely, lifted with care, and transported safely. In this case, we ensured the animal was delivered to the incinerator, where it was processed for biofuel conversion — turning a challenging cleanup into a sustainable outcome.

Why Jobs Like This Matter

This wasn’t our first wildlife cleanup. From deer to sealions, to less glamorous removals like industrial sludge, old boats, or railway ties — we’ve seen it all. These jobs require:

• Experience & precision – handling fragile, hazardous, or oversized materials correctly.
• Specialized equipment – because forklifts, trucks, and manpower aren’t always enough.
• Environmental care – minimizing impact and diverting waste whenever possible.

And let’s be honest: these aren’t the jobs most crews want to do. But someone has to — and you need that someone to do it right.

Are You Ready for the “Awkward In-Between Jobs”?

Whether you’re a municipality dealing with a wildlife incident, or a business with bulky, hazardous, or just plain inconvenient waste, ignoring it isn’t an option. That old pile of racking in your yard? The leaking barrels no one wants to touch? The contaminated soil sitting behind your facility? They’re costing you more than you think — in safety risks, liability, and lost space.

And when the problem really gets complicated, who are you going to call?

Your Partner for Specialized Cleanup Services in Vancouver

At Recycle It Canada, we’ve built our reputation on stepping in where others step back. From wildlife cleanup services and municipal emergency calls to industrial waste diversion, rail tie removal, and hazardous material disposal, we do the tough jobs so your team doesn’t have to.

When the unexpected happens, or when you finally want that awkward pile of waste gone for good, we’re the go-to crew across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

Ready to tackle the tough stuff?
Contact us today for a specialized site assessment and let’s take it off your hands.