Central Okanagan residents asked to store glass and styrofoam
Due to the flooding and road closures in B.C., collection of glass and styrofoam packaging is temporarily on hold at most recycling depots in the Central Okanagan.
Starting Monday, November 22, glass and styrofoam packaging (both white and colored) will no longer be collected at the following depot locations until normal operations resume:
- Glenmore Landfill recycle depot
- Westside Residential Waste Disposal and Recycling Centre
- Boucherie Bottle depot
- Traders Cove transfer station
- North Westside Road transfer station
- All Columbia Bottle depot locations
- Winfield Bottle depot
- Peachland Public Works bottle depot
RDCO said with transportation corridors compromised due to road closures, Recycle BC (responsible for residential packaging and paper recycling in B.C.) cannot currently move these materials from receiving facilities to end markets in the Lower Mainland. For now, residents are encouraged to keep glass and Styrofoam stored safely at home until full depot service can resume.
Residents can still take paper, cardboard, containers (plastic and metal), plastic bags and overwrap, and other flexible plastic packaging to depots. These are materials that can be baled and stored in a more compact manner at receiving facilities.
Travis Kendel, Manager of Engineering with the Regional District of Central Okanagan said they are hopeful residents appreciate the exceptional circumstances the province is experiencing, and they thank residents for helping ensure these materials can eventually be managed responsibly.
“For now, normal curbside recyclable collection continues, but we’d like to remind recyclers that glass and foam packaging should not be added to the carts,” said Kendel.
Recycle BC indicated the situation is evolving rapidly. It is unknown at this time how long this change will be required. Additional measures may be needed be in the coming days/weeks if shipping issues continue longer term. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
For further information, visit rdco.com/recycle or contact the Regional Waste Reduction Office at recycle@rdco.com or call 250.469.6250.