RDKB expands curbside waste collection
By Boundary Sentinel
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) is a leader among BC interior local governments when it comes to curbside waste collection.
More than 14,000 homes receive curbside waste collection across a vast rural region that stretches from east of Fruitvale all the way to Big White while 90 per cent of RDKB residents now receive curbside pickup services for both garbage and recycling and just over 40 per cent will receive Green Bin organics (kitchen scraps) collection in 2018.
The RDKB is the only jurisdiction in the BC Interior to provide a Green Bin collection program for kitchen scraps. That number is expected to increase as the RDKB expands its composting systems.
In January 2018 Recycle BC expanded its service to include a further 500 residents in Brown Creek (Granby River) and Bridesville/Anarchist Summit.
These rural residents now receive full curbside waste collection services like many urban areas of BC.
“I am proud of our leadership in curbside waste collection and I really applaud our staff for their progressive approach to solid waste management in general,” said Grace McGregor, Environmental Services Committee Liaison and electoral area director for Area C/Christina Lake.
“We enjoy great relationships with many stewardship programs and we continue to advocate on behalf of our residents for access to recycling.”
Recycle BC is a non-profit organization responsible for residential packaging and paper product recycling throughout British Columbia. The RDKB collects garbage and Green Bin organic matter, and hosts Recycle BC depots at District landfill sites at Rock Creek, Greenwood, Grand Forks, Christina Lake and McKelvey Creek in Trail.
“We know that some residents who live along more remote roads and at Big White do not yet receive curbside services. We are also working to expand Green Bin services to more residents in the near future,” said Tim Dueck, Solid Waste Coordinator for the RDKB. “Our focus has been on curbside collection because it is the most effective and convenient way to divert household waste and recyclables from the landfill.”
The RDKB is working with dozens of stewardship programs in addition to Recycle BC so people have improved access to recycling facilities for appliances, paint, batteries and other recyclable items.
