The TNRD has adopted a new bylaw which bans certain recyclable materials from going to the landfill. It applies to all solid waste disposal facilities within the TNRD, including all TNRD transfer stations and Eco-Depots, City of Kamloops landfills, and privately owned facilities like the Campbell Hill Landfill in Cache Creek. The new bylaw is similar to bylaws already in place in most regions of BC.
The bylaw designates corrugated cardboard as “Mandatory Recyclable Material”, meaning that it must be recycled and not allowed to go to landfill. When the bylaw comes into effect January 1st, 2022, if a load is dumped at a landfill or transfer station that contains over 10% cardboard (by volume), a fine may be issued. The amount of the fine is based on the size of the total load, the fine amount is 50% of the disposal fees for the violating load. For example, if a load costs $80 in disposal fees, the fine would be an additional $40.
Fines may only be issued by designated inspectors. Landfill staff, such as scale attendants, will not have the authority to issue fines. Enforcement will focus on large commercial and municipal loads, inspectors will not be breaking open individual garbage bags to inspect contents.
“At this time, cardboard is the only ‘Mandatory Recyclable Material;’ however, the bylaw may be amended in the future to require recycling of other materials such as all paper products, and plastic, glass, and metal packaging,” says Jamie Vieira, TNRD Manager of Environmental Services.
Enforcement will only take place at landfills and transfer stations. The TNRD will not be inspecting bins at the curb or back alley. It will be up to individual haulers to control what is in their loads, and the TNRD will be working with commercial waste haulers and municipalities to help them educate their customers/residents to avoid fines at the landfill.
“We know the vast majority of customers are already complying with this bylaw by recycling their cardboard. But unfortunately we still see some loads going into landfills that have a very high percentage of easily recyclable materials. This bylaw is simply another tool to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill,” said Vieira.
Extensive communication and education, including “mock ticketing” will take place at landfills and transfer stations over the next six months ahead of the bylaw coming into effect at the start of 2022.
Media contact:
Jamie Vieira, Manager of Environmental Health Services
Thompson-Nicola Regional District
Tel.: 250- 377-7197
Email: jvieira@tnrd.ca