Kamloops, BC – September 20, 2023 – With guidance from the 2018 Regional Solid Waste Management Plan (RSWMP), the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) plans to expand products included in the Mandatory Recyclable Materials Bylaw No. 2743 to include all materials within the extended producer responsibility (EPR) program.
This bylaw amendment will require all residential and commercial users of any regional solid waste facility, including City of Kamloops facilities, to ensure that their loads of municipal solid waste do not contain recyclable materials beyond allowable amounts. The purpose of this bylaw amendment is to help prevent hazardous waste and recyclable materials from being landfilled or disposed of improperly.
The TNRD Mandatory Recyclable Materials Bylaw was implemented in fall 2022, following a consultation process with stakeholders that began in the first quarter of 2021. At this current time, this bylaw applies to corrugated cardboard.
Once fully implemented, residential and commercial customers can expect that any load of municipal solid waste being disposed of at regional disposal facilities containing mandatory recyclable materials will be subject to a financial penalty in addition to regular tipping fees.
Recyclable materials that will be part of the amendment to the Mandatory Recyclable Materials Bylaw include:
- antifreeze and antifreeze containers;
- batteries, including lead-acid batteries;
- flammable liquids and solvents;
- fluorescent lights;
- gasoline and diesel;
- residential pesticide products;
- residential packaging and printed paper;
- refundable beverage containers;
- pharmaceutical products and medications;
- oil, oil filters and oil containers;
- paint and paint containers;
- electronics and electrical products including metal household or commercial appliances;
- thermostats; and
- tires.
As part of this planning process, the TNRD is seeking input from customers in the development of the bylaw amendment and subsequent implementation plan.
TNRD staff will host webinars via Microsoft Teams on the following dates and times:
- September 27, 2023: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
- September 27, 2023: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
- October 4, 2023: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
- October 4, 2023: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
This is an opportunity for you to provide feedback on this updated disposal ban bylaw, as well as to share ideas, comments, and ask TNRD staff questions about the coming update. The link to join these meetings will be added to the Mandatory Recyclable Bylaw webpage in advance of each meeting. Please note that the same information will be provided at each of these meetings.
If you are unable to attend any of these meetings and would like to provide feedback directly, please contact TNRD Solid Waste and Recycling at recycleright@tnrd.ca, or 250-377-2596.
As part of this consultation process, the TNRD is also encouraging residents to take part in the Recyclable Materials Disposal Ban Survey. This survey provides an additional opportunity to communicate and gather public feedback on the TNRD Mandatory Recyclable Material Bylaw. The survey is open until 11:59 pm on October 17, 2023. To take this survey, click here.
Residents are encouraged to utilize existing take-back programs such as those offered at many regional bottle depots and solid waste disposal facilities operated by the TNRD and the City of Kamloops. To find a drop-off location that works for you please visit the Recycling Council of BC website: rcbc.ca/recyclepedia.
For more information, visit: tnrd.ca/mandatory-recycling.
Media Contact:
Martin Dickson, Environmental Services Coordinator
Thompson-Nicola Regional District
Tel.: 250-377-7079
Email: mdickson@tnrd.ca