Tipping fees waived for flood wood waste Regional District of North Okanagan waiving fees until Aug. 20

ROGER KNOX Fri Jul 7th, 2017 3:30pm MORNING STAR
Tipping fees for grindable wood waste resulting from the 2017 floods will be waived from July 10 to Aug. 20 at the following Regional District of North Okanagan recycling and disposal facilities (RDFs):

1) Greater Vernon Recycling and Disposal Facility: 120 Birnie Road;
2) Armstrong/Spallumcheen Recycling and Disposal Facility: 3367 Powerhouse Road;
3) Lumby Recycling and Disposal Facility: 221 Trinity Valley Road.

“The tipping fee will be waived for grindable wood waste only such as dock lumber, tree limbs and other wood waste resulting from the 2017 flood,” said Nicole Kohnert, RDNO’s regional engineering services manager. “This wood waste will be chipped, mixed with soil and used for daily landfill cover.”  Loads of grindable wood waste are allowed to contain nails, screws and small hardware (such as small hinges) but must not contain any large pieces of metal such as rebar or any other debris such as plastic drums, styrofoam, miscellaneous garbage, or other contamination.

Persons wishing to have tipping fees waived are required to complete the 2017 Flood Event – Grindable Wood Waste Tipping Fee Waiver form prior to entering the RDF.

Forms are available at the RDNO office, online at www.rdno.ca and at each RDF facility.

A resident or property owner may use a representative or hauling contractor to haul grindable wood waste on their behalf. Be advised that all loads requesting a fee waiver will be weighed inbound and outbound to track the quantity of wood waste received and will be inspected to ensure the load does not contain unacceptable material. Loads found to contain material other than grindable wood waste will be charged the regular, applicable tipping fees.

A list of disposal facilities and hours of operation is available on the RDNO website: www.rdno.ca/index.php/services/engineering/solid-waste/garbage/rdf-hours locations.

http://www.rdno.ca/press-releases/170707_FRM_2017_Flood_Event_Tipping_Fees3.pdf

Hazardous waste? Watch for the North Okanagan's new Eco Depot

September 04, 2015 - 2:30 PM Charlotte Helston Info-Tel.ca

VERNON - If you need a place to dump hazardous waste, say good-bye to the annual round-ups in the North Okanagan and hello to the new Eco-Depot. The facility is expected to open this fall, and will offer residents the first year-round household hazardous waste drop off centre in the region. For the past decade, the North Okanagan Regional District has offered an annual Hazardous Waste Round-Up in Vernon, Enderby and Lumby because, until now, there wasn’t a permanent facility. Household hazardous waste includes items like paint, empty propane tanks, old cell phones, aerosols, pool chemicals and thermometers, among many other things. Details about the location, hours of operations and items accepted will be released once arrangements for the new centre are finalized, the regional district said in a media release. It’s hoped the Eco Depot will help protect the environment and encourage more participation in recycling and waste diversion. Residents who have been storing hazardous waste in anticipation of the annual round up event are asked to keep holding onto it until the Eco Depot opens.

Former Landfill Ready For Park

Posted on 8/4/2015 by Ron Manz 107.5 KISSFM

Vernon's former landfill site on Pottery Road is ready to become a new park. The reclamation project on the site is now complete according to the Regional District of North Okanagan. Nicole Kohnert, Manager of Regional Engineering Services, says it's ready to go to the next step. "We will likely turn it over to the Parks Department. They have not discussed their plans at this point, but I think they will be discussing their plans for that site during next year's budget discussions." Topsoil to grow grass was created by using Biosolids of Metro Vancouver and mixing their treated sewage with RDNO yard waste compost and local sand and clay. Kohnert says it proved so successful, they plan to go that route again in future. "We will be looking at partnering with Metro Vancouver again and our local partner here to use bio-solids. It's such a nutrient rich product grass grows extremely well or any other landscaping grows extremely well if you have a mixture of that material." Kohnert calculated that RDNO was able to save a considerable amount of money by using this biosolid mixture. "I did a review on what the costs would be for purchasing topsoil locally and for fabricating the topsoil partnering with Metro Vancouver and it came out to saving at least one third of the cost, so it turned out to be a real bonus for us."

Regional District of North Okanagan Board Adopts Changes to Recycling and Disposal Fees

Posted Monday, December 22, 2014

On October 1, 2014, the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) Board of Directors adopted Municipal Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 2659, 2014. This bylaw regulates the use of, and sets the fees for the recycling and disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) at RDNO Recycling and Disposal Facilities (RDFs). The updated bylaw includes some minor text amendments as well as some increases in Recycling and Disposal Fees. The increases in Recycling and Disposal fees will take effect at all RDNO RDFs on Friday, January 2, 2015.

The most significant changes are:
-an increase in the regular refuse disposal fee from $93/tonne to $95/tonne;
-the fee for construction and demolition (C&D) waste will increase from $184/tonne to $200/tonne;
-the fee for disposal of refuse containing Regulated Material (e.g. recyclable and/or divertable products such as asphalt roofing, yard and garden waste, glass, scrap metal wood and/or Blue Bag recyclables) will increase from $184/tonne to $200/tonne;
-the disposal fee for refuse containing drywall will increase from $279/tonne to $300/tonne;
the fee for mixed residential waste will increase from $64/tonne to $66/tonne; and
minimum charges for regular refuse, yard and garden waste, wood and metal will all increase from $3 to $4, the per tonne recycling and disposal fee for these products remains the same.

In 2015, $14 per tonne of MSW disposed at all RDNO RDFs will be set aside in the closure/post closure reserve. In addition, $5 per tonne disposed will continue to be allocated to a sustaining capital reserve. There are many years of capacity remaining at the Greater Vernon, Armstrong/Spallumcheen and Lumby RDFs; however, the RDNO faces significant closure and post-closure costs when these facilities reach capacity. The closure reserve contributions will ensure that funds are available to close these facilities properly when the time comes and to continue to monitor the sites for at least 25 years post closure. (more)

Municipal Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 2659, 2014, will be posted on the RDNO website at www.rdno.ca as of January 2, 2015. The Bylaw contains the complete list of Regulated Materials, as well as the complete Recycling and Disposal Fee schedule. For further information, please go online to www.rdno.ca.

Rise in landfill fees dumped on

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Oct 5, 2014 at 1:00 AM
Disposal fees are climbing at local landfills and that has heightened concerns about illegal dumping. The Regional District of North Okanagan board has adopted the municipal solid waste management bylaw and it will see the minimum tipping fee at the Greater Vernon, Armstrong-Spallumcheen and Lumby landfills go from $3 to $5 by 2016. “By discouraging self-hauling, we don’t want to encourage them to do something else with it,” said director Doug Dirk of trash being left in rural areas or at the end of dead-end roads. The increased fee is also a concern for director Bob Fleming. “Given the frequency we see with illegal dumping, we want to keep it low because it’s more expensive to pick that stuff up,” he said. It was suggested by director Mike Macnabb that some people in areas without mandatory collection haul their personal garbage to the closest landfill because they don’t want to hire a private contractor. “I am a self-hauler because I had (curbside) collection and it was abysmal. They wouldn’t collect in the winter.”
In Greater Vernon, there is no mandated curbside collection in Coldstream and the electoral areas. Minimum fees at the Cherryville and Kingfisher transfer stations would go from $3 to $4. “People recycling so much and they go there with just two bags. They may say it’s $4 and they may decide not to recycle,” said director Eugene Foisy, adding that a higher fee could discourage recycling. RDNO staff insist there is a need for the higher fee. “We need to cover scale maintenance and labour,” said Nicole Kohnert, manager of regional engineering services. Director Rob Sawatzky, who hauls his own trash to the landfill, doesn’t believe the new fees will stop people from using the service. “It’s so much cheaper (than curbside collection). The costs are one-third less even if you include mileage,” he said.

Error on tax notices to cost city $12,000

by Steve Kidd - Penticton Western News posted Jun 12, 2014 at 4:00 PM— updated Jul 11, 2014 at 9:21 PM
The City of Penticton is going to be shelling out about $12,000 to correct a mistake on the 2014 tax notices mailed out to property owners. The first tax bills sent out for 2014 featured the wrong school district — Okanagan Similkameen rather than Okanagan Skaha — with the result that the calculations of total taxes were higher than they should have been. “It was an administrative error,” said Simone Blais, the city’s communication officer, explaining that a staff member chose the wrong line from a list of school districts and corresponding tax rates. “From what I understand the bottom of the page had Okanagan Similkameen, but they didn’t flip the page to see Okanagan Skaha,” said Blais. Amended property tax notices will be mailed out as soon as possible, and property owners are asked to refer to the “amended tax notice” only for the correct amount. In the interim, those who go to the front counter at city hall will have their taxes recalculated automatically. “We sincerely apologize to affected property owners for the error, and regret any inconvenience or confusion this may cause,” said Colin Fisher, chief financial officer. “It is critical that property owners be charged only the amount necessary, and the city’s revenue services team is working swiftly to correct the error for all of our customers.” According to Blais, the new tax notices are all lower than the first notices, though how much lower depends on the assessed value of the property. But reaction from people presented with a lower amount when paying their taxes, she continued, has been positive, with one customer even saying it was like Christmas. However, the mistake comes with a price tag for the city. Blais said mailing out a new set of tax notices is costing about $12,000. “When we look at how important it is to keep our taxpayers in the loop it was decided it was warranted,” said Blais. “It is the only way to 100 per cent guarantee that everyone is notified of the change.” Along with sending out the new tax notices, the city will be directly contacting people who paid their taxes before the mistake was noticed. They will be offered a choice of rebate options. “We can send them a refund or apply that amount to next year’s account so it is a bit of a prepayment. But it is up to them,” said Blais. People who use MyCity to claim their provincial home owner grant are asked to check the welcome screen message for information. E-bill customers using the MyCity online tax notice portal are asked to use the most recent tax notice dated June 11.

Taxpayers who have been following the Multimaterials B.C. recycling program (MMBC) changeover may be surprised to still see a recycling charge on their tax notice. The reasons are twofold, according to Blais. “We don’t know the final incentive amount. The second piece is we are not entirely sure how the program is going to play out,” said Blais. “That all could impact our rate in terms of whether or not we are receiving that financial incentive or going on our own. According to Blais, city council considered whether to use the incentive and decrease the rate now, potentially increasing it again later, but decided it would be better to stay the course and put whatever incentive funds are received aside for future use in education or other programs to fortify the recycling program.

New Recycling Program Off To Good Start, Says MMBC

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Wednesday, 28 May 2014 17:44
The head of BC's new recycling program says things have gone well through the first two weeks of collection. The North Okanagan switched from blue bags, to re-useable blue boxes May 19. Allen Langdon, managing director of Multi Materials BC, says one issue has been seniors concerned about having to pack what could be heavy blue bins to the curb. "Certainly we have heard from some seniors, and what we've done is, if there are seniors that have challenges, they can phone us and request a smaller bin, and hopefully that will alleviate some of their concerns about getting their materials to the curb." Langdon tells Kiss FM. (Contractor's number is 250 545-4245) Langdon also says they are looking at solutions for not having drop-off depots for plastic bags and glass in the outlying communities, leaving two outlets in Vernon as the only options. "We're definitely alive to that problem and we are looking at solutions. I don't know if we have any right now, but it's definitely something we're looking at," says Langdon. Langdon says residents don't have to worry about their paper products getting wet on rainy days. "We think the bins are big enough and shouldn't require a lid. In terms of rain, it's not going to be an impact to us in terms of collecting the material," he says. Langdon says having to drop off plastic shopping bags at depot allows them to get a "cleaner material" that can be sold in North America, and not overseas.

Recycling company awaiting trucks

by Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star posted May 25, 2014 at 1:00 AM
The North Okanagan’s new recycling collection company has been launched despite some equipment delays. Some residents may have noticed that all recyclables are tossed into the same compartments of the truck when Emterra Environmental rolls up to the curb. But that will soon change as the delivery of new trucks is awaited. “We are collecting the material at the curb in single stream trucks until our two stream trucks arrive at the end of the month,” said Ed Walsh, vice president of operations. The time line for delivery is June 1 and in the meantime recyclables are still being sorted. “We take the recycling material to Cascades in Kelowna and they are able to sort single stream and two stream material so all the material gets looked after,” said Walsh. So far the collection has gone well, but issues always arise anytime you change collection systems, he said. “More questions than concerns.” The end result will be fewer items in the landfill. “We expect to see a significant increase in volume when you switch to a reusable blue box system, from a blue bag system, so we are anticipating more tonnes recycled.”

New Recycling Starts Today.

What will recycling service look like in the future ?
NewsFlash: Apr.1, 2017 :
The Federal Minister of the Post Office has jointly announced with  the Provincial Minister of the Environment that there will a service combination of the Post Office Community Mail Box Services with a Blue Box Drop off point. The synergy created will be cost effective and provide more opportunities for fitness hikes for seniors and community interaction at the community water cooler.  Municipalities are encouraged to provide park benches and there are hopes that local entrepreneurs  will surround this popular gathering spot with coffee shops and deli's. 

Recycling plan moves ahead

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted May 4, 2014 at 1:00 AM
A new recycling model appears unavoidable. Regional District of North Okanagan staff told Vernon council Monday that there’s no backing away from Multi Material B.C., which has been mandated by the government to take over residential recycling services from local jurisdictions. “RDNO is out of the curbside collection business May 16,” said Dale Danallanko, RDNO’s recycling and disposal facilities operations manager. While some business groups have lobbied the government to delay or cancel the MMBC model, Danallanko says even if that occurred, RDNO would not fill the void because the contracts it had with companies to collect recycling will soon expire. “MMBC is happening May 19. If issues arise out of the MMBC program, don’t call the regional district, it’s not our program.” MMBC is a stewardship group of retailers and producers that will take over collection and recycling of packaging under provincial regulations. Instead of clear bags, single-family residents will be given two plastic bins for curbside collection. “On a windy recycling day, there will be a huge problem with newspapers flying around,” said Brian Quiring, a Vernon councillor. Another container, such as a box, can be used for excess material. Apartment buildings are not covered by MMBC’s mandate and they must make arrangements with a hauler for collection. Plastic bags will not be allowed in the MMBC boxes and must be taken to two drop-off collection sites in Vernon, but Coun. Bob Spiers doubts that will occur. “It’s going to end up in the garbage can I’m sorry to say,” he said. New items collected by MMBC will include disposable coffee cups and aerosal cans. “We encourage residents to become aware of what can be diverted and recycled,” said Danallanko. Through the RDNO program, the City of Vernon was charged $1.51 per month per household for recycling. “It’s a service that will no longer be provided that the city will no longer be charged for,” said Danallanko.
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Don Quixote Note: My concern actually was plastic wrapping (For instances a 4 pack of Batteries.) Apparently the plastic part of the wrapping is only recyclable if it has a recycle number on it and as this small part of the packing doesn't- you would have to drop it off at a recycling depot or toss it in the garbage.

The $1.51 ($18.12 Annually  - $4.53 per quarter) is part of your recycling fee charged on your quarterly bill in the City of Vernon. The quarterly charge of $8.78 includes this $4.53 for recycling with the balance being for the spring Chipping Program and the Spring and Fall Clear Bag Leaf program. (Coldstream will be having a special meeting Monday to reduce their annual charge to residents from $20.33 to $7.37 for 2014.  (A $12.96 reduction).)
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Please note, plastic shrink or stretch wrap, crinkly cellophane wrap, zipper-lock bags, plastic shipping envelopes, compostable or biodegradable plastic bags, multi-layer or laminated film, bubble wrap, and lumber wrap are not accepted for recycling.

MMBC MATERIALS LIST
Shredded paper accepted if inside a firmly tied, clear, plastic bag (no opaque, coloured or black bags).

North Okanagan officials question MMBC

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Apr 18, 2014 at 1:00 AM
A shift in recycling is getting a rough ride from elected officials. Regional District of North Okanagan staff made a presentation Wednesday about Multi Material B.C., which has been mandated by the government to take over residential recycling services from local jurisdictions. “Why is our staff using tax dollars to explain this? Where is the contractor?” said director Kevin Acton. “We shouldn’t be discussing it because someone else will make the profit and be managing it.” RDNO staff insist they want to ensure a smooth transition for residents, and it was pointed out that MMBC presented to Enderby and Armstrong councils. MMBC is a stewardship group of retailers and producers that will take over collection and recycling of packaging under provincial regulations May 19. “They will use the same routes and schedules,” said Nicole Kohnert, RDNO’s manager of regional engineering services. The biggest change is single-family residents will no longer use clear bags for curbside collection. Instead, each home will be given two plastic bins. “The top is open so weather protection is not possible,” said director Mike Macnabb, who is concerned wet material will be thrown in the landfill. “Who is responsible for blown material because we get wind around here?” Director Bob Fleming suggests the new system could lead to residents trashing recyclables because the bins have inadequate space. “A bag is twice as large as the bins and sometimes I have seven of them because the packaging is bulky,” he said. However, Kohnert says another container, such as a box, can be used for excess material. Another major issue is apartment buildings are not covered by MMBC’s mandate and they must make arrangements with a hauler for collection. “I am concerned they’re not being treated the same as a residence,” said director Shirley Fowler. Many RDNO board members are questioning what motivated the government to change the recycling model. “We’ve done a great job with recycling so this wasn’t necessary,” said director Jackie Pearase.
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DonQuixote Note: 

• It would appear that the portion of the recycling fee for the clear bag program in Vernon charged to residential customers that will get the new Blue Box Service will no longer be required. (estimate a $4 per quarter saving on your Utility bill after May 19.)
• Vernon Commercial Contract is not effected and service and charges should remain with no change.
• A list of apartment buildings not covered by MMBC’s mandate and they must make arrangements with a hauler for collection and is provided by RDNO here.  http://www.rdno.ca/docs/N_Okanagan_MF_List_2-26-14.pdf
• Also see http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/community/255644261.html

Blue Bag Recycling Ending, New Program Brings Changes

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Friday, 11 April 2014 11:34
Changes are coming to the recycling program in the North Okanagan and other areas of BC. Multi Materials BC starts running the program May 19th, using Emterra Environmental as the collection contractor. Nicole Kohnert, manager of regional engineering services with the Regional District of North Okanagan, says residents will no longer be able to put everything in blue bags, and some items will have to be recycled separately. "The things that will not be allowed in the multi family program will be the plastic film, so the shopping bags and so on, along with Styrofoam and glass jars, which have never been allowed. Those items must go to a depot," Kohnert tells Kiss FM. However, Kohnert says additional items will be added to the program like coffee cups, plant pots and a variety of laminated containers. Homes will be getting two blue boxes along with a recycling guide delivered by the contractor starting April 21st. "It (the guide) shows exactly what they can put in the box. Currently we put everything in one bag, but they will have to separate the paper and the containers," says Kohnert. One complication of the new system is that complexes with more than four units won't automatically get the new service, and the complexes must make arrangements through the collection contractor Emterra Environmental or another waste service provider. "We have sent a letter to all the management companies that may have a building over four units to let them know that if they have been on our program, they will have to make arrangements with another service provider before May 19 to continue their recycling," adds Kohnert.
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RDNO Curbside Blue Bag Recycling Program Ends May 16

The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) residential, curbside Blue Bag Recycling Program will end on Friday, May 16th, 2014. Multi-Material BC (MMBC), the new program administrator for the new Printed Paper and Packaging (PPP) Recycling Program in the North Okanagan, will begin its program the week of May 19th. MMBC has selected Emterra Environmental as the PPP collection contractor. Effective May 19th, PPP will be collected from single family residences currently on the RDNO Blue Bag Recycling Program on the same days as collection happens now. Complexes with more than four units currently on the RDNO Program (not including mobile home complexes and strata complexes currently receiving individual unit curbside service) will not automatically receive service after May 16th. Complexes wishing to continue to receive recycling service after May 16th must make arrangements through Emterra Environmental or another waste service provider. If property managers or residents are unsure what category their complex falls under, please go online to www.rdno.ca/recycle for a list of complexes not currently scheduled to receive the PPP Recycling Program service.

The MMBC selected collection contractor for the new PPP Recycling Program is Emterra Environmental. Emterra Environmental, a registered MMBC PPP collector, has been selected for both single family and multi-family residences in the North Okanagan. As the selected collector, Emterra is able to offer multi-family complexes basic recycling collection services at no charge as the cost is subsidized by MMBC. Emterra will also provide multi-family complexes enhanced service (e.g. large collection carts) for a small additional fee. Property managers are free to choose any service provider they wish in order to continue recycling service provision as of May 19th. Waste collection service providers in the North Okanagan include, Progressive Waste Solutions (BFI), Waste Management, Super Save Disposal, Tip-It Waste Solutions, Adam's Disposal, and Smithrite Disposal Ltd.

The last day blue or clear bags containing recyclables will be collected under the RDNO residential program is Friday, May 16th. Beginning the week of April 21, 2014, two blue boxes along with a Recycling Guide will be delivered to single family homes in the North Okanagan. Complexes with more than four units (not including mobile home complexes or strata complexes receiving individual unit curbside service) will receive information from their selected waste provider upon confirmation of service establishment as to the collection method and day of collection. Recyclable materials left at the curbside in blue or clear bags following May 16th will not be collected by the RDNO or Emterra Environmental.

In addition to the single and multi-family dwelling services, MMBC has selected Interior Freight and Bottle Depot and Venture Training Centre in Vernon as registered PPP depots. Materials may be dropped off at these depots at no charge. For more information about MMBC's new PPP Recycling Program go online to www.multimaterialbc.ca/residents, contact MMBC at 778-588-9504 or at info@multimaterialbc.ca, or Emterra Environmental at 250-545-4245 or askmebc2@emterra.ca.

RDNO News re Blue Bag Recycling Program

Residential Curbside Blue Bag Recycling Program - Changes Coming May 19th
Posted Monday, April 7, 2014

The new Multi-Material British Columbia (MMBC) Printed Paper and Packaging (PPP) Recycling Program will commence operation the week of May 19th. North Okanagan residents currently served by the RDNO Residential Curbside Blue Bag Recycling Program will continue to receive curbside collection service, and will be receiving information from MMBC about the new PPP Recycling Program over the next few weeks. Under a provincial stewardship plan, MMBC will be responsible for administering the new PPP Recycling Program, and has selected Emterra Environmental to provide curbside residential PPP collection services in the RDNO. Details on the collection schedule, accepted materials, and how to participate in the new PPP Recycling Program will be provided by MMBC and Emterra Environmental over the next few weeks. In addition to curbside residential PPP collection, MMBC will provide PPP drop off depots at Interior Freight and Bottle Depot, and the Vernon and District Association for Community Living (Venture Training Centre). More information about the MMBC PPP depots will be provided by MMBC in the coming weeks.

The RDNO will continue to provide Recycling Drop Centres for RDNO residents and businesses at all RDNO Recycling and Disposal Facilities (Armstrong/Spallumcheen, Greater Vernon, Lumby, Cherryville, Kingfisher and Silver Star). The RDNO Recycling Drop Centres will continue to be managed by the RDNO, outside of the MMBC PPP Recycling Program. The RDNO will provide updated information about the RDF Recycling Drop Centres prior to May 19th. Starting April 15, 2014, all inquiries regarding the new PPP Recycling Program are to be directed to MMBC or Emterra Environmental. Contact information for MMBC and Emterra Environmental will be made available shortly. MMBC plans to launch a PPP media campaign in the next few weeks.
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Don Quixote Note: This seems to indicate that the Residential Recycling program will be taken over by MMBC. It would seem that that the quarterly Recycling charge will be reduced on your utility bill.  Present Residential Recycle Rates:

• $8.78 per quarter
• Bi-weekly pickup, unlimited pickup

However, the Commercial recycling program is not addressed??
Present Commercial Recycle Rates:

• Recycling

• $67.35 per quarter
• Monday, Wednesday and Friday Pick up, Unlimited Pick up
• http://www.vernon.ca/services/operations/solid_waste/recycling.html

MLA Says Recycling Plan Proceeding Despite Criticism

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Monday, 31 March 2014 06:02
Vernon's MLA says the Liberal government has no plans to revisit the new recycling program that starts May 19th. Eric Foster disagrees that opposition to Multi Materials BC is growing, but rather, the few groups against it, are just getting louder. Foster says very few businesses will be impacted. "Less than one percent of about 385,000 businesses in BC will be above the thresholds," Foster says. Foster says the BC Chamber of Commerce is backing the plan, a group he says represents most of the small and medium-sized businesses in BC. "There's a little turf war going on between a couple of agencies that represent businesses in the country, and that's part of this," says Foster. Foster say the idea of the new plan is not to get more money from people. "The idea of this is to get the packagers, or companies that make the products, to reduce the amount of packaging they use." The Canadian Federation of Independent Business and eight other groups want it stopped, saying it will lead to higher fees which will be passed onto consumers. "This is public policy run amok," says Mike Klassen from the CFIB. "We are asking British Columbians to talk to the BC government to push the pause button on its reckless and red tape laden program." Front end recycling fees will be added to businesses that produce packaging and printed paper, a move that will cost newspapers $6 million across the province, says the BC Yukon Community Newspaper Association.
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Will these charges end on May 19th as business will be providing the service at their cost??

Current fees for Program in Vernon 
Recycling- Residential
$8.78 per quarter
Bi-weekly pickup, unlimited pickup

Recycling - Commercial
$67.35 per quarter
Monday, Wednesday and Friday Pick up, Unlimited Pick up

Recycling collector named for the North Okanagan

Vernon Morning Star: posted Mar 18, 2014 at 11:00 AM
Multi-Material B.C. has selected Emterra Environmental to manage the North Okanagan’s curbside recycling collection services effective May 19. MMBC, a stewardship group made up of major retailers and producers, will take over collection and recycling of packaging under provincial regulations. According to MMBC, communities will be able to recycle new categories of packaging starting in May, including milk cartons, foam packaging, plant pots, aluminum foil packaging, certain types of plastic film packaging and drink cups. Look for more in Wednesday's Morning Star.
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Don Quixote Note: Residential Recycling cost $8.78 per quarter Bi-weekly pickup, unlimited pickup on our Utility Bill. Commercial Pays $67.35 per quarter Monday, Wednesday and Friday Pick up, Unlimited Pick up.

What effect will there be on these rates and when will they be changed ???

Province Outlines Business Recycling Plan

Written by 107.5 Kiss FM Tuesday, 04 February 2014 12:00
The province says less than one percent of BC businesses will be affected by the new recycling program which starts this spring. Environment Minister Mary Polak says they will be introducing a new regulation to exempt small businesses from any reporting or recycling costs if they meet any one of three criteria. Those include being under one million dollars in annual revenues, under one tonne of packaging and printed paper supplied to BC residents, or operated as a single point of retail sale and are not supplied by, or operated as part of franchise, a chain or under a banner. Multi-Material British Columbia, the industry-led stewardship organization responsible for the recycling program, will also be giving an option to businesses for an annual flat fee if they are considered a low volume producer of packaging and printed paper. Businesses producing between one and five tonnes can pay a pre-determined recycling fee and will not have to provide detailed reporting. Polak says it means less than 3,000 of BC's 385,000 businesses will be affected by the program which will shift recycling costs from taxpayers to industry, starting May 19th. "Our government listened to the concerns of small business, which is why we asked MMBC to work with the business community on a set of recycling rules that makes sense for small business while still achieving our shared environmental goals. I would like to thank the Chamber for working closely with us and supporting our solution to this
problem."

Garbage truck rolls between homes

by Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star posted Jan 22, 2014 at 1:00 AM

Tessa, the family border collie, normally freaks out at the sound of thunder. So Amy Johnson, who was enjoying lunch Tuesday with two of her three children – Jovan, three and Ailielle, nine months – in the Sterling Estates rental home they share with Johnson’s husband, Seth, friend Zach Taralson and third child Ebe, who was at school, thought it strange when Tessa curled up in a ball in the entrance foyer and started shaking. Then Johnson heard a rumbling, at around 11:30 a.m. Neighbour Terry Schaefer heard it, too. It was the sound of a runaway garbage truck. The truck, belonging to Progressive Waste Solutions, had come barreling westbound down 40th Avenue. According to witnesses, the driverless truck hit either a rock or piled-up snow on the corner of 40th Avenue and 15th Street and ended up between Johnson’s house on the left, and her neighbours to the north on the right, a space of approximately 20 feet. “We were all finishing our pears and I heard this huge rumbling and thought, ‘Oh, what are the neighbours up to now?’” smiled Johnson. “Then, the house was shaking and I was trying to grab the baby out of the chair. That’s when I saw the blue (of the truck) go by under the deck.” Schaefer had just let his dog out and had sat down on his couch. “I heard this huge sound, came out and saw the truck between the two houses,” he said. “I went to check to make sure the driver and neighbours were okay.” One witness said the driver had parked the truck up on 40th Avenue and was collecting garbage when the truck began rolling down the hill. The witness said the driver was running to try to catch up to the vehicle but was unable to do so. An unidentified Progressive employee on-scene said the company’s policy is not to comment on such matters. The truck did damage a back deck on the Johnson rental home, and also hit the corner of the home’s foundation. The front end of the truck was also damaged. Inside, in the basement, there were a couple of large noticeable holes in the wall and a big-screen television set had been knocked over but the Johnson’s musical guitars – Amy, Seth and Zach are a trio named Emet and are in the midst of recording a single – were unscathed. “That’s good as my sister is coming in tonight to record some background vocals,” said Johnson. Nobody was injured in the accident which was under investigation Tuesday afternoon by the provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) officials. The Vernon RCMP also attended.

Recycling pickup changes hands

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Dec 15, 2013 at 1:00 AM
North Okanagan residents will continue to recycle, but the structure is evolving. As of May 19, the Regional District of North Okanagan will no longer be responsible for curbside recycling. Instead, it will be turned over to Multi Material B.C., an organization involving the packaging industry and mandated by the government. “There should no tangible change for single-family residences but there could be a change for multi-families,” said Dale Danallanko, RDNO’s recycling and disposal facilities operations manager. It’s believed that instead of clear bags, MMBC will want recyclables placed in boxes or carts. The biggest question is what role RDNO will play, if any, and if MMBC will want a collection and processing facility at the Greater Vernon landfill. “There are still a lot of unknowns. As contracts are awarded, we hope things will become more clear,” said Danallanko. The loss of curbside recycling will mean an 8.7 per cent reduction in RDNO’s operating expenditures. While the provincial government has mandated the new recycling strategy, director Mike Macnabb isn’t convinced it will be effective and there may be a need for RDNO to resume its activities. “We should have a plan if MMBC blows up,” he said. Separate from MMBC, the regional district will maintain recycling drop-off centres at local landfills as well as some commercial businesses.

Fall Leaf Exchange / Clear Bag Pick-up
One Week Program – November 19 - 22, 2013

BFI will provide curbside collection of leaves and garden refuse in clear plastic bags on your regular garbage collection day. City of Vernon residents may put out an unlimited number of clear bags by 7:00 a.m. at the same location as your garbage collection pickup.

All coloured bags will be considered as household garbage that is limited to the usual two bags or container quota. Please do not rake leaves onto the street that will block storm drains and jam the street sweeper.

FALL LEAF EXCHANGE / PICKUP - In an effort to encourage recycling and composting, residents are encouraged to put bags of leaves out a week earlier than the dates above for others to pick up for garden compost.

Mayor Doesn't Like 'One-Sided' Deal

Written by Peter McIntyre Tuesday, 17 September 2013 17:09
It doesn't look like the North Okanagan wants to take part in an industry-led recycling program. Multi Materials BC wants to take over the municipally-run blue bag programs around the province next spring. However, Vernon Mayor Rob Sawatzky, who is at the Union of BC Municipalities meeting in Vancouver, says RDNO staff don't recommend pursuing the idea. "In principal this should be a very good idea, but in fact, what is being presented is a one-sided, take-it-or-leave-it from industry and run by industry," says Sawatzky. Sawatzky says the MMBC system wouldn't have any of the options, responsibility or fairness of the current recycling system which he says works well. "So RDNO staff are saying, 'Don't even follow this. We have a system that works well. Don't tie yourselves into this,'" Sawatzky tells Kiss FM. Multi-Materials BC is an industry stewardship group consisting of major retailers and producers that wants to take responsibility for curbside collection of recycled paper and packaging in BC by May 2014. The move, approved by the province last year, would have industry pay for the costs of recycling paper and packaging products across the province. But Metro Vancouver mayors want to negotiate a better contract for taxpayers, arguing they are getting a raw deal that could potentially see a reduction in recycling services and affect green-city goals.