West sub-region recycling depots new collection system
By Nelson Daily Staff
Residents of the West sub-region of the regional district — electoral areas H, I, J, K, the City of Castlegar, the villages of Nakusp, New Denver, Silverton and Slocan — are now utilizing new recycling bins at local recycling depots.
The recycling program will remain the same but the type of collection bins have changed. The Regional District of Central Kootenay has worked with the service provider Waste Management to come up with a more efficient and cost-effective option for the West sub-region.
The change from a roll-off collection system to a front load bin system is more efficient for transportation as recyclable materials will now be collected in a compaction truck.
Residents using the depots can recycle as they normally do depositing recyclables in co-mingled bins, there will also be a separate bin for glass. There will be no changes to the curbside recycling program.
“This service change will mean increased efficiency and allow us to reduce our costs,” said Walter Popoff, RDCK director for electoral area H and the chair of the West Waste sub-region, the governing body that directs resource recovery efforts in the specified area.
The new agreement with Waste Management contract also includes a commodity rebate for cardboard, newspaper and mixed paper. This will allow the RDCK to recover a greater portion of the depot system costs through the value of the materials collected.
Items that are accepted in the West sub-region recycling program include: mixed paper, metal food cans, cardboard (flattened), newspaper, glass and rigid food-grade plastics displaying the numbers 1-7 (no styrofoam).
Embracing responsible recycling
The new collection bins have been in place for a week and, while it is acknowledged that it will take some time for people to get used to the new system, there are many good reasons for the changes (and to keep recycling).
The new front-loading bins will save money. Front loading bins are a more efficient and cost-effective option for the West Sub-Region. The change from a roll-off collection system to a front load bin system is more efficient for transportation because recyclable materials are collected in a compaction truck.
This means a greater volume of recyclables are transported resulting in fewer trips and reduced fuel consumption- saving money and reducing greenhouse gases.
People using the depots must place recyclables in the bin slots, this means breaking down cardboard boxes to maximize the amount of material that can fit in the bins.
“This system has been in place in the East sub-region and is consistent with many other municipalities in B.C.,” said Uli Wolf, general manager of Environmental Services. “This system makes sense for the West-Sub region because it will increase efficiency and allow us to reduce our costs.”
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