Resource Recovery

The RDCK covers a large geographical area and recource recovery services are divided into three subregions. Each sub-region reflects the needs of the local communities.  Resource recovery services include waste handling facilities, community recycling depots, materials recovery and public education. There are four landfills in the RDCK, 12 transfer stations and 26 recycling depots.

The goal of resource recovery is to educate people to produce less waste and to encourage healthier environments.   This can be achieved by following Zero Waste guidelines, think less waste!  Reducing, Reusing, Recycling, Recovering and Returning refundable materials all make waste reduction a success.

What is a Landfill?

Landfills, also known as sanitary landfills or resource recovery facilities, are areas where waste materials are seperated into various resources, including wood, metals, yard and garden debris, septic, recyclables and lastly, residual buried waste.

All RDCK landfills follow proper provincial regulations to ensure that surrounding environments are not impacted by landfill activity.  Landfills in areas with bear concerns are equipped with electronic fencing to protect bears from eating waste materials including plastic bags and rotten foods.  RDCK landfills carry out frequent ground-water testing to ensure that drinking water is safe in areas surrounding our landfills.

Landfill users are subject to user fees.  During normal operating hours staff are on duty to assist residents with waste disposal inquiries.

The sorting of waste allows the RDCK to actively work towards Zero Waste and recover most of our material resources. Wood material and yard & garden waste are collected and chipped twice per year.  These piles are frequently turned to improve aeration and at some locations additional organics are added to accelerate the breakdown of materials to produce compost.  This new soil is used as final cover for landfill closures. Metals are a valuable resource.  The RDCK hires a metal recovery company to crush the metals, after which, the same company transports the metals to their recycling plant.

What is a Transfer Station?

Transfer Stations are facilities where residents can safely dispose of waste materials into bear-proof containers.  Large trucks pick up the full containers from transfer stations and deliver the waste to the local landfills for disposal. Transfer station users are subject to user fees.  During normal operating hours staff are on duty to assist residents with waste disposal inquiries.

Recycling

Recyclable materials can be dropped off at one of our 26 recycling depots.  All recycling depots accept cardboard, mixed paper, tin & aluminum food and beverage containers, glass food and beverage containers, and plastic containers.  Recycling programs vary by region, check out recycling basics to see what is accepted in your area. Propane cylinders, rechargeable batteries, alkaline batteries and auto batteries are accepted at RDCK waste handling facilities at no charge. Tires are acepted at RDCK waste handling facilities but are subject to a user fee.

RDCK waste handling facilities do not accept liquid waste or hazardous materials.  For information on how to dispose of these materials call the Recycling Hotline of British Columbia at 1-800-667-4321 or visit the Product Care website at www.productcare.org.

Composting

Household waste can contain up to 40% recoverable organic material which can be composted into valuable nutrient rich compost.  By composting you may be able to reduce your garbage, save money on disposal costs and create free fertilizer for your garden.

Resource Recovery

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