An upward trend in recycling contamination in the Central Okanagan could mean a loss of service for repeat offenders.
A Regional District Central Okanagan (RDCO) media release states that member municipalities were fined $37,500 due to high contamination rates in 2024. A recent Recycle BC audit shows contamination rates are climbing across the region.
鈥淥ur agreement with Recycle BC requires contamination rates be at five per cent, but lately our rates have been consistently higher,鈥� says Cynthia Coates, supervisor of solid waste.
The release did not state the current contamination rates. Contamination includes items such as books, textiles or hazardous materials and depot-only items including glass, Styrofoam and plastic bags.
Residents are asked to 鈥渒now before you throw鈥� and familiarize themselves with recycling guidelines to ensure that only accepted items are placed in curbside carts. The RDCO is also using new enforcement measures that target repeat offenders. Recycling carts with repeated high contamination levels will not be emptied.
The RDCO ran a five-month Recycling Contamination Reduction Pilot from October 2023 to March 2024 that reduced contaminants by 23 per cent.
鈥淲e all have a role to play in proper recycling and reducing contamination rates,鈥� Coates says. She adds that most residents do their best to follow curbside recycling guidelines.
The reginal district is also continuing its Waste Ambassador program which, in 2024, resulted in the inspection of over 9,000 recycling carts.
For more information on what to recycle and where visit the RDCO website.
