Disposal Fees

The RDCK completed an efficiency study of the Resource Recovery system in 2025. The purpose of the Study was to:

1. Assess cost recovery of tipping fees to:
   • Understand the costs of managing specific waste types and how much of these costs are currently covered by tipping fees versus taxation;
   • Ensure that the balance between tipping fees and taxation is fair and equitable;
2. Benchmark the Resource Recovery system to determine if the RDCK is over or under-serviced, both internally (between sub-regions) and externally (compared to similar regional districts); and,
3. Identify options to recognize efficiencies and improve cost-effectiveness and equitability, while ensuring regulatory compliance.

A data model was created to assess tipping fee cost recovery and completed a benchmarking assessment comparing service levels in the RDCK both internally and externally. The results of these assessments were used to evaluate the performance and efficiency of the system as a whole, as well as for each sub-region.

In November and December 2024, Staff presented the results of the study to the RDCK Board of Directors, along with a plan for how the recommendations from the study would be implemented in coming years.

Links to the study and the accompanying RDCK Staff reports, presented to the RDCK Board of Directors, are below:

• 2024 Staff Report: RESULTS OF THE RESOURCE RECOVERY SYSTEM EFFICIENCY STUDY
• 2024 Staff Report: CHANGES TO MATERIAL MANAGEMENT AND TIPPING FEES 
• 2024 Tipping Fee Cost Recovery Assessment & Resource System Efficiency Study 

1.  Why is the price per Container different in the Central Sub-region, (Grohman (Nelson), Central (Salmo), Balfour, Kaslo, Marblehead, and Ymir)?

• The Central Sub-Region does not operate an active landfill, but hosts the busiest Transfer Station in the region (Grohman Narrows), and as a result has some of the highest operating costs for transfer of waste.

2.  Why doesn’t RDCK just waive tipping fees and pay for everything through taxes?

• RDCK is committed to a User-Pay system: A fully tax-funded system does not incentivize waste diversion (i.e. encourage anyone to recycle or compost; in the long run this reduces the life of our regional landfills). A user-pay system places the burden of the costs on those who generate waste instead of on all taxpayers.
• Recycle BC Depots have no tipping fees: The RDCK’s 12 Core Recycle BC depots are meant to be primarily funded by Recycle BC, an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, in which contributions from the producers of printed paper and packaging, such as retailers, pay for the recycling of these materials. Current Recycle BC funding does not fully cover the operating costs of these depots, nor does it cover any costs for RDCK’s Satellite Depots, so the balance is funded through taxation. RDCK Staff and Directors continue to lobby for increased Recycle BC funding to fully cover the operating costs of the Core Depots.
• Non-EPR recyclable materials that are disposed at landfills and transfer stations (e.g., clean wood and metal) have significantly lower tipping fees, as they are NOT landfilled. 

3.  How can Customers keep their disposal costs manageable?

• Increase your diversion: Take advantage of the growing number of items that can be recycled or composted.
  • Source-Separate from your garbage: There are a number of items, such as clean wood, metal etc. that have lower disposal fees than garbage.
  • Our Salmo, Grohman, Ootischenia and Creston sites all accept Organic Waste for composting at a lower rate than garbage.
  • RDCK is trialing ways to encourage more organic waste:
    • Residential customers disposing of containers (up to 121L) of organic waste, get the first container free, if they bring it in with at least one container of garbage.
    • Tipping fees for organic waste, SOURCED FROM BUSINESSES, SUCH AS RESTAURANTS, GROCERY STORES ETC now have a lower tipping fee of $50/tonne (less than half regular price) for all of 2025. This does not apply to commercial haulers brining in organic waste from municipal curbside programs.
• Home Composting: While the RDCK accepts organic waste for composting at a lower rate than garbage at the Central (Salmo), Ootischenia, Grohman and Creston facilities, household composting is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to significantly reduce the volume and odours of your waste. There are options for every situation including systems that do not attract animals and are capable of composting meats and kitchen scraps, such as Bokashi composting.
• Bigger disposal bags or containers can be more cost effective: Rather than bringing in small bags or containers, maximize the value of your disposals by using 121L bags or containers. If possible, bring in larger loads of household garbage to scaled sites and pay by weight. Consider sharing disposal costs with people in your area.