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.