A reduction in fees is coming for the Okanagan Falls Landfill on April 15.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen said in order to convince people to do the right thing, they have dropped fees for demolition and construction mixed waste from $200 to $125 a tonne. The RDOS is also launching a new construction mixed waste acceptance form to allow for the safe sorting of mixed materials from new construction sites. Currently the waste is being landfilled due to potential contamination from renovation or demolition waste.
WorkSafeBC requires that any demolition and renovation projects go through an assessment process to check for hazards to ensure they have been safely removed.
Demolition and construction mixed materials from outside of the Campbell Mountain (Penticton), Okanagan Falls or Keremeos Landfill Service areas will be charged a higher fee of $150 a tonne.
Anyone bringing in assessed demolition and construction waste will need to fill in a free application form and submit their WorkSafeBC compliant documents in advance to allow for the reduced rates at the Okanagan Falls Landfill.
The Okanagan Falls Landfill has one of the only construction and demolition sort facilities in the Interior of B.C. In 2017 the facility was able to keep over 93 per cent of the assessed demolition waste it received out of the landfill.
Clean building materials kept separate from each other, including wood, drywall, metal and concrete, will continue to have lower rates at local landfills. To encourage safe disposal, properly bagged and manifested asbestos will be free at the Campbell Mountain and Oliver Landfills. To allow for safe disposal, haulers of asbestos must register in advance to set up an appointment at the Campbell Mountain or Oliver Landfill. Details on how to safely and legally dispose of asbestos for free is available through the RDOS.
For more information on the new rates and definitions, contact the RDOS Solid Waste Division at 250-490-4129, info@rdos.bc.ca or visit www.rdos.bc.ca.