Keep Materials of Concern Out of Our Landfills
Before coming to an RDNO Diversion & Disposal Facility (DDF) or taking out the garbage please keep in mind that certain materials pose environmental pollution, health hazards and operational issues in landfills. These materials are defined as Regulated Materials, Controlled Waste and Prohibited Waste in the RDNO Municipal Solid Waste Bylaw:
1. Regulated Materials have readily available recycling or diversion options (see: What Goes Where Webpage) and should be separated and taken to the appropriate location for recycling or management to reduce their impact on the environment and conserve valuable landfill space. Loads containing these materials mixed with refuse will result in higher disposal fees or may be turned away. Regulated materials include:
- Products under a BC Government approved stewardship program which are collected at local recycling depots and participating retailers. These products include: Antifreeze, Antifreeze Containers, Batteries, Beverage Containers, Electronic and Electrical Products, Flammable Liquids and Solvents, Light Bulbs, Oil, Oil Containers, Oil Filters, Packaging & Paper Products, Paint, Paint Containers, Pesticides, Pharmaceuticals, Thermostats and Tires.
- Materials that are divertible or utilized at RDNO Diversion & Disposal Facilities. (Armstrong/Spallumcheen, Greater Vernon & Lumby locations): Clean Asphalt Roofing, Crushable Material for Aggregate, Drywall (New and Recyclable), Landclearing and Property Development Waste, Major Appliances*, Logs and Stumps (Clean and Grindable), Mattresses & Boxsprings, Propane Tanks*, Scrap Metal*, Soil or Other Fill Material (for landfill cover), Wood Waste – Clean and Dirty; and Yard and Garden Waste. Materials with a "*" are also accepted for diversion at Cherryville and Kingfisher Transfer Stations.
2. Controlled Waste includes materials that may require special handling at RDNO DDFs because of potential health, safety and environmental hazards and requires pre-approval for disposal. Contact solidwaste@rdno.ca before coming to an RDNO DDF with the following waste and ensure it is separated from regular refuse to minimize your fees: (a) Animal feces (small amounts bagged in household garbage okay); (b) Asbestos Containing Material; (c) Biosolids; (d) Bloody furniture, bedding and rugs/carpet; (e) Bulky Waste; (f) Carcasses; (g) Clinical/Laboratory Waste; (h) Condemned foods; (i) Food Processing Waste; (j) Foundry Dust; (k) Hydrocarbon Impacted Soil; (l) Infested Vegetation; (m) Logs and Stumps – large, dirty and ungrindable; (n) Noxious Weeds and Invasive Plants; (o) Preserved Wood including Creosote treated railway ties; (p) Sawdust; (q) Screenings from municipal sewage treatment plants, pump stations, domestic septic systems or other wastewater treatment systems; (r) Septage Waste; and (s) Tires – Oversize.
3. Prohibited Waste are materials that are inappropriate for disposal at all RDNO DDFs for regulatory or legal reasons, or reasons related to the safe or efficient operation of a DDF. These materials must not be disposed as garbage and must not be taken to the landfill. Prohibited materials include: (a) Automobiles and other large metallic objects such as mobile homes and recreational vehicles; (b) Biomedical Waste defined as such in the document “Guidelines for the Management of Biomedical Waste in Canada” (CCME, February 1992); (c) Hazardous Waste, except Waste Asbestos approved for disposal; (d) Liquid or semi-solid wastes, including Septage Waste, except as permitted in the RDNO Solid Waste Management bylaw; (e) Renderable Products; (f) Slaughterhouse, fish hatchery, and cannery wastes and by-products; (g) Solid Waste that is on fire or smoldering.
For more information please email: solidwaste@rdno.ca.
For additional information on knowing your waste and sorting it out contact the Recycling Council of BC Recycling Hotline at 1-800-667-4321 or access the RCBC Recyclepedia App at: rcbc.ca.