Free yard & garden program to be extended at RDCK facilities in the east subregion
May 1, 2020
Nelson, BC: The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) will be extending the free yard and garden (Y&G) program through the month of May in the east subregion at the Creston, Boswell and Crawford Bay waste facilities. With the current COVID-19 situation affecting delivery of services, the RDCK has been making accommodations to accept Y&G without charge outside regular program periods. As soon as facilities were prepared and seasonal conditions allowed, the free Y&G program in the west and central subregions was initiated two weeks ahead of schedule and will continue throughout the month of May as well.
The month long free Y&G programs were established to assist in reducing air quality concerns in some areas and to align with the RDCK’s fire risk reduction efforts. “Management of Y&G waste comes with a significant cost to the RDCK, especially the hauling and grinding,” said Uli Wolf, General Manager of Environmental Services, “and when tipping fees are not collected to subsidize them, these costs fall on all tax payers.”
With the Province’s open burning ban and the COVID-19 situation creating impacts at many waste facilities, illegal dumping is reportedly on the rise across Interior BC. Illegal dumping is a significant problem that contributes to fire risk and attracts wildlife, amongst other environmental concerns.
“Unfortunately, despite all of the provisions for residents to dispose of their yard waste in a thoughtful and safe manner, some persist in driving to a remote side road and illegally dumping without consideration of the fire hazard this creates when a location begins to be used by several people,” said Garry Jackman, Area A Director, Chair of East Resource Recovery Committee. “These few have created serious risks which have been cleaned up in the past through the expenditure of our provincial tax dollars. This is a good year for everyone to reflect on their habits and deal with their waste either through their own composting or through the transfer stations.”
In conjunction with the extended Y&G programs, all waste facilities with a weigh scale will return to accepting payment and all material types as of May 1. The remaining facilities will follow suit later in the month.
Visit the RDCK website for updates before visiting a site with currently restricted material. https://rdck.ca/EN/main/services/waste-recycling/faqs-covid-19-and-rdck-waste-facilities.html
Incorporated in 1965, the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is a local government that serves 60,000 residents in 11 electoral areas and nine member municipalities. The RDCK provides more than 160 services, including community facilities, fire protection and emergency services, grants, planning and land use, regional parks, resource recovery and handling, transit, water services and much more. For more information about the RDCK, visit www.rdck.ca.
-30-
|
For further information, please contact:
Uli Wolf General Manager of Environmental Services Regional District of Central Kootenay Tel: (250) 352-8163 Email: uwolf@rdck.bc.ca
|
For media enquiries:
Public Information Officer Emergency Operation Centre Regional District of Central Kootenay Email: eocinfo@rdck.bc.ca |
Click here for print-friendly version
The content on this page was last updated May 1 2020 at 2:38 AM