Showing posts with label Garbage / Recycling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Garbage / Recycling. Show all posts
Monday, May 30, 2016
Capital projects complete
Castanet Staff - May 30, 2016 / 5:00 am
The Regional District of North Okanagan has made some solid improvements to waste management. The RDNO has completed three major solid waste management capital projects in the Vernon area, including the capping of the Pottery Road Landfill, the installation of a landfill gas management system at the Greater Vernon Recycling and Disposal Facility (GVRDF) and the creation of a year-round Eco Depot. All three projects shared in $3.7 million provided through the Federal Gas Tax Fund. Closure of the Pottery Road Landfill was completed through the grading and capping of the site, improvements to the groundwater-diversion system, and the installation of a landfill gas-venting system. The total cost of the project was $2 million, with just over $1.8 million received from the gas tax fund and $115,100 funded from local revenues. In 2015, the RDNO completed the installation of a landfill gas management system at the GVRDF in order to comply with provincial regulations. The system works by destroying collected methane with a candlestick flare at about 70 cubic feet per minute. As the GVRDF fills, the system will be expanded to collect and burn more methane, and in the future, could grow to the point where the collected gas could be utilized as a source of power. The total cost of the project was $1.88 million and was fully supported by the Federal Gas Tax Fund. In December 2015, the RDNO opened an Eco Depot to receive household hazardous waste (HHW) free of charge year round. The Eco Depot replaced the annual RDNO Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up and was established in partnership with Interior Recycling at their long established bottle depot on 24th Avenue. This depot provides residents with a convenient, year round, one-stop-drop location for HHW as well as many other recyclable items such as packaging and printed paper, electronics, paint and batteries. More than 8,000 litres and 360 kilograms of HHW have been collected and disposed. The total cost of the project was $29,800 with all costs covered by the Federal Gas Tax Fund.
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Hazardous waste collected
by Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star posted Dec 13, 2015 at 1:00 AM
Hazardous waste collection is under one roof. The Regional District of North Okanagan has launched an Eco Depot at Interior Freight and Bottle Depot at 4205 24th Ave. in Vernon. Beginning Tuesday, residents can drop off household hazardous waste (HHW) free of charge, year-round, during regular Interior Freight hours of operation. “The Eco Depot replaces the Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up which had previously taken place annually in the fall,” said Dale Danallanko, RDNO’s recycling and disposal facilities operations manager. Funding for establishment of the Eco Depot was provided by RDNO through the federal gas tax program. “You will no longer have to store this material in your basement, garage or shed until the next HHW Round-Up,” said Danallanko.
Residential quantities of the following categories of material will be accepted:
Paint;
Batteries (household and automotive);
Aerosols;
Antifreeze;
Fuel;
Pesticides;
Solvents.
A product is hazardous if the words danger, warning or caution appear on the product label. Hazardous material can be toxic, flammable, corrosive, reactive or any combination. Improper disposal of HHW can be hazardous and can pose an environmental risk. “Residents are encouraged to take their HHW to the Eco Depot for proper disposal,” said Danallanko. Residents should take precautions when transporting HHW for disposal:
Make sure containers have a tight-fitting lid to prevent leaks; If possible, keep the material in the original container so it can be easily identified; Place your items in a sturdy box and keep the box upright to prevent spills, do not pack materials in plastic bags, and; Transport HHW in the trunk of your vehicle, away from children, food or pets. For more information on HHW disposal, go to www.rdno.ca. For more information on Interior Freight and Bottle Depot, including other products accepted for recycling and hours of operations, go to www.interiorrecycling.com.
Residential quantities of the following categories of material will be accepted:
Paint;
Batteries (household and automotive);
Aerosols;
Antifreeze;
Fuel;
Pesticides;
Solvents.
A product is hazardous if the words danger, warning or caution appear on the product label. Hazardous material can be toxic, flammable, corrosive, reactive or any combination. Improper disposal of HHW can be hazardous and can pose an environmental risk. “Residents are encouraged to take their HHW to the Eco Depot for proper disposal,” said Danallanko. Residents should take precautions when transporting HHW for disposal:
Make sure containers have a tight-fitting lid to prevent leaks; If possible, keep the material in the original container so it can be easily identified; Place your items in a sturdy box and keep the box upright to prevent spills, do not pack materials in plastic bags, and; Transport HHW in the trunk of your vehicle, away from children, food or pets. For more information on HHW disposal, go to www.rdno.ca. For more information on Interior Freight and Bottle Depot, including other products accepted for recycling and hours of operations, go to www.interiorrecycling.com.
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Free yard waste
Kate Bouey - CASTANET Dec 10, 2015 / 5:00 am
It's a green thumbs up for gardeners from the board of the North Okanagan Regional District. Starting in 2016, it will be free year-round to take all those grass cuttings and tree branches to both Vernon and Armstrong Spallumcheen recycling and disposal facilities. However, to offset the loss in revenue, there will be a $3.00 per tonne increase in general garbage waste delivered to the landfill sites. Not everyone was in favour of the changes. Electoral Area 'C' director Mike Macnabb argued against the changes until it was clear how the lost revenue would be made up. “$120,000 is not to be sniffed at and a $3.00 a tonne charge may not be the best way of doing this,” Macnabb told the board. “We should think a bit more before we go ahead.” “If we don't have volume why are we doing this?” Macnabb asked. Staff told directors that landfill sites in Vernon, Armstrong and Lumby received 10,000 tonnes of yard waste in a year, about 5,000 tonnes dropped off during 'free' periods. Directors were told commercial garden waste, from landscapers and garden waste companies, would still have to pay fees. The $3.00 added charge on garbage will take effect July 1, 2016 and cover $60,000 of the lost revenue while the rest will be made up from tax requisition and reserves, staff reported.
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Kamloops council asked to approve recycling contract — at an 84% annual increase in cost
By: Andrea Klassen Kamloops This Week, News November 28, 2015
The company whose drawn-out strike left Kamloops without recycling pickup for months will likely hold onto the contract to process the city’s recyclables. But, it will cost the city almost double what is now being paid — and that increase will be passed on to homeowners, who now pay $33 per year for weekly collection. Council will be be asked Tuesday to approve a new two-year contract with Emterra Environmental, which includes an option to renew for three years. In a report, streets and environmental services manager Glen Farrow said the city will be paying far more for the same services under the new contract, about $845,000 per year compared to the current $460,000 to process 5,000 metric tonnes of recyclable material annually — an increase of 84 per cent. Farrow said covering the cost will likely lead to higher solid-waste fees for Kamloops residents. Exactly how much will be known later this month, when utility rates are set. Farrow said the city had two companies bid for the contract, but when scored on a number of criteria, including pricing and experience, Cascades Recovery Inc. received a lower score than Emterra. Farrow said the contract allows the city to cancel on short notice if it is able to sign onto Multi-Material B.C., a program that is supposed to cover much or all of the cost of curbside recycling services and uses different processing facilities. Ten unionized Emterra workers were on strike for eight weeks this past summer, citing low wages as their chief issue. Most earned $13 or less per hour Workers ratified a four-year deal in August, which will include wage increases of 22.5 per cent over the life of the agreement, giving those $13 an hour workers a wage of about $16 an hour by 2019. In 2008, the city signed a five-year deal with Emterra. In 2013, the contract was extended to the end of December of this year. The renewal brought few changes, other than the inclusion of soft and black plastics into the stream of acceptable recyclables. Under the current contract, Emterra is paid a flat fee for taking the recyclables, just under $80 per metric tonne, and also gets a cut of the sale of the materials, which it brokers on the city’s behalf.
The company whose drawn-out strike left Kamloops without recycling pickup for months will likely hold onto the contract to process the city’s recyclables. But, it will cost the city almost double what is now being paid — and that increase will be passed on to homeowners, who now pay $33 per year for weekly collection. Council will be be asked Tuesday to approve a new two-year contract with Emterra Environmental, which includes an option to renew for three years. In a report, streets and environmental services manager Glen Farrow said the city will be paying far more for the same services under the new contract, about $845,000 per year compared to the current $460,000 to process 5,000 metric tonnes of recyclable material annually — an increase of 84 per cent. Farrow said covering the cost will likely lead to higher solid-waste fees for Kamloops residents. Exactly how much will be known later this month, when utility rates are set. Farrow said the city had two companies bid for the contract, but when scored on a number of criteria, including pricing and experience, Cascades Recovery Inc. received a lower score than Emterra. Farrow said the contract allows the city to cancel on short notice if it is able to sign onto Multi-Material B.C., a program that is supposed to cover much or all of the cost of curbside recycling services and uses different processing facilities. Ten unionized Emterra workers were on strike for eight weeks this past summer, citing low wages as their chief issue. Most earned $13 or less per hour Workers ratified a four-year deal in August, which will include wage increases of 22.5 per cent over the life of the agreement, giving those $13 an hour workers a wage of about $16 an hour by 2019. In 2008, the city signed a five-year deal with Emterra. In 2013, the contract was extended to the end of December of this year. The renewal brought few changes, other than the inclusion of soft and black plastics into the stream of acceptable recyclables. Under the current contract, Emterra is paid a flat fee for taking the recyclables, just under $80 per metric tonne, and also gets a cut of the sale of the materials, which it brokers on the city’s behalf.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
No Blue Bin Changes Until 2019
Posted on 10/27/2015 by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
It looks like Vernon residents who don't like the new recycling program will have to put up with it for four more years.Councillor Scott Anderson says other than asking for lids on the bins, and getting Multi Material BC to clean up any garbage that blows out and is left on streets, there's not much than can be done until the contract ends in 2019. "Those might be quick fixes that we can push through, but as far as substantial changes, that's going to have to wait until 2019," Anderson tells Kiss FM.Anderson continues to maintain less is getting recycled now, than under the former blue bag system. He says his research indicates 71% of items being thrown out is plastic, paper or organic, most of which can be recycled.
It looks like Vernon residents who don't like the new recycling program will have to put up with it for four more years.Councillor Scott Anderson says other than asking for lids on the bins, and getting Multi Material BC to clean up any garbage that blows out and is left on streets, there's not much than can be done until the contract ends in 2019. "Those might be quick fixes that we can push through, but as far as substantial changes, that's going to have to wait until 2019," Anderson tells Kiss FM.Anderson continues to maintain less is getting recycled now, than under the former blue bag system. He says his research indicates 71% of items being thrown out is plastic, paper or organic, most of which can be recycled.
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Recycling Generates Few Complaints
Posted on 10/9/2015 107.5 KISSFM
Apparently a lot of Vernon residents are not happy with the blue bin recycling program, but that's news to the company that manages the system. Allen Langdon of Multi Material BC says they had a number of complaints when the system first rolled-out last year, but not many since then. "As time has gone on, we haven't had a whole lot of complaints, so from our prospective, the program is working. We are collecting material and we are able to recycle that material." Landgon says the amount of recyclables being picked up in Vernon is "above the provincial average." He feels they have addressed the criticism that seniors can't lift the heavy bins to the curb. "We have offered the option for smaller containers, which we have made available, and I know you can go to local hardware stores if they want to wheel their container out, as opposed to lifting it out." The issue will before Vernon council next week. Councillor Scott Anderson maintains there is significant public opposition to the program, and he wants the city to request changes from MMBC. His motion for action will be debated at council's meeting Tuesday.
Friday, October 02, 2015
North Okanagan locked into recycling system, says MMBC director
October 01, 2015 - 6:30 PM INFOTEL.CA By Charlotte Helston
VERNON - Those demanding changes to the North Okanagan’s recycling system appear to be out of luck. Allen Langdon, the managing director for Multi-Material B.C., says the new program is working well in the North Okanagan Regional District and, overall, generating few complaints. “We had some around the launch but in the last few months there’s been very little in the way of complaints,” Langdon says. Plus, people in the North Okanagan are even sticking to the rules more closely than elsewhere in the province, he says. Due to a low contamination rate — mixing of recycling materials — the area was able to recycle 28.5 kg of material per person over the last seven-and-a-half months, slightly higher than the provincial average of 27.5 kg. “We’re very happy with what we’re seeing out of the North Okanagan,” Langdon says. He says they’ve given people various options to make the transition from bags easier — such as the ability to purchase a smaller, lighter bin, or additional boxes as required — but says a total overhaul of the system is unlikely. “We have a five year contract with the collector. From our perspective, there’s very little room to move in that,” Langdon says. “The regional district had a choice, they chose to turn service over to us, and we selected (a contractor) who has made investments based on the (agreement.)” City of Vernon councillor Scott Anderson recently spoke out against the program, saying he hasn’t heard from anyone who likes it. Anderson is seeking support from the rest of Vernon council to lobby for changes. Some would like to see a cart system such as the one used in the Central Okanagan Regional District, but Langdon says it’s doubtful MMBC would switch to that method either. “From what we’ve seen, contamination rates in carts are often double what we see in the blue boxes,” Langdon says. “We’d be really reticent to move to something that is seeing higher contamination rates.” Multi-Material B.C. was formed after the provincial government enacted a new regulation calling on businesses, not taxpayers, to pay for the recycling of packaging and printed paper. The organization has roughly one thousand members that pay fees based on the amount and type of paper and packaging they supply to B.C. residents. That money is used to fund local recycling programs. “In doing so, it’s important to remember that taxpayers no longer have to pay for that service,” Langdon says.
VERNON - Those demanding changes to the North Okanagan’s recycling system appear to be out of luck. Allen Langdon, the managing director for Multi-Material B.C., says the new program is working well in the North Okanagan Regional District and, overall, generating few complaints. “We had some around the launch but in the last few months there’s been very little in the way of complaints,” Langdon says. Plus, people in the North Okanagan are even sticking to the rules more closely than elsewhere in the province, he says. Due to a low contamination rate — mixing of recycling materials — the area was able to recycle 28.5 kg of material per person over the last seven-and-a-half months, slightly higher than the provincial average of 27.5 kg. “We’re very happy with what we’re seeing out of the North Okanagan,” Langdon says. He says they’ve given people various options to make the transition from bags easier — such as the ability to purchase a smaller, lighter bin, or additional boxes as required — but says a total overhaul of the system is unlikely. “We have a five year contract with the collector. From our perspective, there’s very little room to move in that,” Langdon says. “The regional district had a choice, they chose to turn service over to us, and we selected (a contractor) who has made investments based on the (agreement.)” City of Vernon councillor Scott Anderson recently spoke out against the program, saying he hasn’t heard from anyone who likes it. Anderson is seeking support from the rest of Vernon council to lobby for changes. Some would like to see a cart system such as the one used in the Central Okanagan Regional District, but Langdon says it’s doubtful MMBC would switch to that method either. “From what we’ve seen, contamination rates in carts are often double what we see in the blue boxes,” Langdon says. “We’d be really reticent to move to something that is seeing higher contamination rates.” Multi-Material B.C. was formed after the provincial government enacted a new regulation calling on businesses, not taxpayers, to pay for the recycling of packaging and printed paper. The organization has roughly one thousand members that pay fees based on the amount and type of paper and packaging they supply to B.C. residents. That money is used to fund local recycling programs. “In doing so, it’s important to remember that taxpayers no longer have to pay for that service,” Langdon says.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)