Unbelievable! Steve Van Ysseldyk Digs Through Compost Dump to Find Wife’s Lost Wedding Rings

In a story that sounds like it belongs in a Hollywood script, Steve Van Ysseldyk, a determined husband from British Columbia, Canada, turned a seemingly impossible situation into a heartwarming triumph. After his wife, Jeannine, lost her cherished wedding rings in a compost bin, Steve took it upon himself to search through 18 tonnes of organic waste at the Mission Sanitary Landfill. Against all odds, he found both rings, earning the nickname “Mission dump miracle” in local news. This tale of perseverance, love, and a bit of luck has captured the attention of people worldwide, proving that sometimes, even the most daunting tasks can yield miraculous results.

A Popcorn Mishap Leads to a Heartbreaking Loss

The saga began on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, when Steve and Jeannine Van Ysseldyk, married for 26 years, went to watch an F1 movie at the Langley IMAX in British Columbia. Jeannine brought home a large bag of popcorn for their daughter, but as she got out of the car, the bag spilled onto their lawn.

Using her hand—adorned with two precious rings, a solitaire diamond ring (an upgrade from her original engagement ring) and a diamond band from their 10th wedding anniversary—she scooped up the buttery mess. Unbeknownst to her, the rings slipped off during this cleanup and ended up in the popcorn bag, which was later tossed into their home compost bin. The compost was collected the following morning, Thursday, August 14, and taken to the Mission Sanitary Landfill.

The couple didn’t realize the rings were missing until the evening of Thursday, August 14, during a dinner outing. Jeannine went to the washroom, washed her hands, and noticed her bare finger. “I looked down and said, ‘Where are my rings?’” she recounted to CBC News. The realization hit her hard, and she was so upset that she had to leave the restaurant. The rings weren’t just jewelry; they were symbols of their 26-year marriage, carrying immense sentimental value.

The couple retraced their steps, scouring their home and other locations, but came up empty-handed. It was only after Steve reviewed their home security footage that they pinpointed the moment the rings were last seen—during the popcorn cleanup. The footage confirmed their worst fear: the rings had likely been swept into the compost bin and hauled away with the morning pickup.

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Jeannine was devastated, and Steve knew he had to act fast. The compost bin’s contents were now part of a massive pile at the landfill, mixed with 18 tonnes of organic waste from countless households. The odds of finding the rings seemed astronomical, but Steve’s determination and optimism drove him to take on the challenge. “I was pretty optimistic,” he told the BBC. “The wife’s gotta have her rings, right?” With this mindset, Steve prepared to embark on a mission that would test his resolve and make headlines.

The Search: A Needle in a Compost Haystack

On Friday morning, August 15, 2025, Steve Van Ysseldyk arrived at the Mission Sanitary Landfill, armed with a shovel, gloves, and unwavering determination. He approached Denny Webster, the contractor who manages the landfill’s compost processing, with an unusual request: to sift through the compost pile for his wife’s lost rings. Webster, who has worked at the landfill for over four years, was skeptical.

“I was trying to think of a nice way to tell him that I wasn’t going to help him, because I didn’t think he stood a chance,” Webster admitted to the Mission City Record. The landfill processes dozens of trucks of waste daily, and the compost pile was a “stinky, gross, wet” mess, especially on a rainy Friday. Finding two small rings in such conditions seemed like searching for a needle in a haystack.

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Despite his doubts, Webster was moved by Steve’s desperation and agreed to assist. Using an excavator, he carefully scooped and spread out portions of the compost pile, allowing Steve to search through the waste. Steve’s familiarity with his family’s trash gave him an edge. He knew exactly what to look for: a popcorn bag and other distinctive items, like sausages they had discarded.

Remarkably, his strategy paid off. After about half an hour of sifting through the compost, Steve spotted the sausages, a clue that he was in the right section of the pile. Moments later, he found a portion of the popcorn bag, and within 30 seconds, he unearthed the first ring—the anniversary band. “I came across part of it, with some popcorn, and within 30 seconds, I was like, ‘OK, there’s one ring,’” Steve told the Vancouver Sun.

The search continued for the second ring, the solitaire diamond. Webster pointed to another area of the pile, and Steve, undeterred by the rain and stench, kept digging. About 15 minutes after finding the popcorn bag, he located the second ring. In less than an hour, Steve had accomplished what many thought was impossible.

He called Jeannine, who was at Princess Auto buying a metal detector to aid in the search, to share the incredible news. “He called me immediately when he found the first one,” Jeannine told CBC News. When Steve found the second ring, she broke down in tears, overwhelmed with relief and gratitude. The metal detector, now unnecessary, was a testament to Steve’s extraordinary effort.

Webster, who had seen many people search the landfill for lost items without success, was stunned. “This is the first time anyone’s actually pulled off a miracle,” he told the Vancouver Sun. The rainy weather, which reduced the compost’s stench, and Steve’s precise knowledge of his trash were key factors in the success. The story quickly spread, with Steve posting about the ordeal on Reddit on August 17, 2025. The post, shared on the Vancouver subreddit, garnered over 3,000 upvotes and sparked widespread amazement across social media.

A Lasting Impact: A Story That Strengthens Bonds

The recovery of Jeannine’s wedding rings was more than just a stroke of luck; it was a testament to Steve’s love and commitment. “Lots of people are amazed by the story. I’m amazed equally as well,” Steve told the BBC. For Jeannine, the incident deepened their bond. “It’s made our marriage stronger,” she said, reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster of losing and recovering the rings.

The couple’s story resonated with people far beyond British Columbia, becoming a symbol of hope and perseverance. News outlets, including the BBC, CBC, and Vancouver Sun, covered the “Mission dump miracle,” highlighting the extraordinary lengths Steve went to for his wife. The story also shed light on the kindness of strangers, particularly Denny Webster, who went above and beyond to help a desperate husband.

Steve expressed deep gratitude for Webster’s assistance, noting, “It’s truly unbelievable, and I appreciate the time Denny put in and helped me. It’s a story that’ll live with us forever.” Webster, in turn, saw the event as a positive moment for the Mission Sanitary Landfill, though he was surprised by the media attention. “I didn’t expect the news crews and everything else. That’s for sure—could have done without, but it’s here,” he told the Mission City Record.

This heartwarming tale has also sparked discussions about the value of sentimental objects and the lengths people will go to preserve them. For the Van Ysseldyks, the rings were not just valuable in monetary terms but were irreplaceable symbols of their 26-year journey together. Steve’s willingness to crawl through a landfill, coupled with his optimism and resourcefulness, turned a potential tragedy into a story of triumph. The couple’s experience serves as a reminder that love, determination, and a bit of ingenuity can overcome even the most unlikely odds.

In conclusion, Steve Van Ysseldyk’s remarkable feat at the Mission Sanitary Landfill is a story of love, perseverance, and an unexpected victory against all odds. From a spilled bag of popcorn to a triumphant recovery in a compost heap, the “Mission dump miracle” has captured hearts and inspired countless people. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most valuable treasures are worth digging through the muck to find. For Steve and Jeannine, this experience will remain a cherished chapter in their love story, one they’ll tell for years to come.