Mandatory Recyclable Materials

It is a disposal ban which prohibits recyclable materials from being landfilled. The purpose of this bylaw is to prevent hazardous waste and recyclable materials from being landfilled or disposed of improperly. A similar bylaw is in place already in many jurisdictions of B.C.

Mandatory recyclable materials can be accepted at many facilities within the Thompson-Nicola region, including Private Depots, TNRD Eco-Depots and many TNRD Transfer Stations. 

• View: Accepted Materials at TNRD Solid Waste Facilities

Other Resources:

• Call the Recycling Council of BC Hotline at 1-800-667-4321 or view their Recyclepedia at rcbc.ca/recyclepedia.
• Download the Recycling Coach App by clicking here.

Throughout the TNRD, a number of service providers offer comprehensive cardboard recycling, as well as bin rentals. The public is encouraged to contact one of these service providers to learn which disposal options are best suited.

• View: List of materials

The Bylaw includes cardboard, residential packaging and printed paper, refundable beverage containers, and items included in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs.

Most items included in this bylaw are part of the provincial Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. Consumers pay advanced handling fees when purchasing products that are part of the EPR program, which cover costs for take-back programs at solid waste facilities in B.C.

Other items included in this bylaw (cardboard, residential packaging, printed paper, and beverage containers) are easily recyclable and can easily be made into new products when recycled.

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. As a reminder, at this time, this bylaw applies to corrugated cardboard.

Enforcement will be conducted by TNRD bylaw officers. Disposal facility staff, such as scale attendants, will not have the authority to issue fines. Enforcement will focus on large commercial and municipal loads.

Inspections may occur when loads are dumped at any disposal facility in the TNRD (Eco-Depot or Transfer Station). This also includes City of Kamloops landfills and private landfills. A fine may be issued when a commercial or municipal load of refuse contains more than 10% cardboard, residential packaging and printed paper, and/or refundable beverage containers by volume. In these instances, a fine equivalent to 50% of the total load cost may be issued to the customer.  Alternatively, if a load contains any of the listed EPR-regulated materials, a per-unit fine of $50/ unit may be issued to the customer.

A fine may be issued when a residential, commercial, or municipal load of refuse contains:

• more than 10% cardboard, residential packaging & printed paper, and/or refundable beverage containers by volume; in these instances, a fine of 50% of the total load cost may be issued to the customer
• any of the listed EPR-regulated materials, a per-unit fine of $50/unit may be issued to the customer

Fine amounts are reduced if paid within 30 days.

Enforcement will focus on all commercial, municipal and residential loads.

Enforcement will be conducted by TNRD staff and bylaw officers. Disposal facility staff, such as scale attendants, will not have authority to issue fines.

Loads of garbage may be subject to a fine if they contain more than 10% of residential packaging, printed paper, cardboard, or beverage containers, or a per-unit charge if a load contains any amounts of other EPR materials that are included in the bylaw.

• View: List of materials

The threshold will be determined by the inspector based on a visual assessment (including photo documentation). Photos may be used as evidence if a ticket is disputed.

To assist haulers with informing customers of the Mandatory Recyclable Material Bylaw, the TNRD has created educational materials and signage for haulers to display. These resources can be ordered free of charge.

• View: Resources for Haulers

Stewardship Organizations in British Columbia ensure that Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program materials are sorted, responsibly managed, and recycled, and kept out of waterways and the environment. After being collected, recyclables are processed at receiving or sorting facilities, then sent to end markets to be made into new packaging or products.

To learn about how Residential Packaging and Printed Paper are recycled, visit the RecycleBC website by clicking here.