December 8, 2009
COLDSTREAM, BC - The busy holiday season is once again upon us. At this time of year, consumption increases, as does the amount of waste generated. Discarded Styrofoam, plastic, paper and food are particularly high at this festive time of year.
HOLIDAY WASTE REDUCTION SUGGESTIONS:
- Give homemade gift cards for services you can provide (i.e. snow shoveling)
- Add your own flare to gifts using cloth and other reusable items
- Collect bows, ribbons and tissue paper for reuse, as they are not recyclable
- Recycle traditional wrapping paper (No metallic paper, cellophane or tissue paper please)
- Give homemade treats like jams, preservatives or “mix in a jar” gift for easy holiday baking
- Continue to compost over the winter. The freeze thaw process helps to break down the material.
BATTERY RECYCLING
Used alkaline batteries are commonly found in refuse bags during and after the holiday season; however this doesn’t need to be the case as used batteries are easily recycled.
All types of batteries are accepted for recycling at all RDNO Recycling and Disposal Facilities. Automotive batteries can be placed in the large plastic crates at the Recycling and Disposal Facilities, and smaller household batteries (rechargeable and alkaline) are to be placed in the green bins available at the scale house.
Visit the Reuse Recycle Directory at www.rdno.ca/rrd for a complete listing of battery drop off locations and many other recycling options.
CHRISTMAS LIGHT STRING RECYCLING
Residents can once again recycle old light strings, free of charge at all Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) Recycling and Disposal Facilities. “If you are replacing your old, inefficient Christmas lights with new, energy efficient LED lights, please do not put them in the garbage or in your blue bag,” requests Karmen Morgan, RDNO Waste Reduction Coordinator. “These strings contain recyclable metal, and will be accepted for recycling.”
Old strings will also be accepted at Venture Training Centre at 4240 Alexis Park Drive in Vernon. PLEASE remove the glass or plastic bulbs before you drop off your old strings of Christmas lights. The bulbs could be reused for craft projects or placed in the garbage for disposal. Look for the marked bin at the entrance to the Venture Training Centre. If you are recycling your strings at a Recycling and Disposal Facilities, the scale attendant will direct you to the appropriate area.
Strings and other recyclables may be dropped off at the following RDNO Recycling & Disposal Facilities:
Greater Vernon RDF
120 Birnie Rd., Mon-Fri 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Sat/Sun9:30 am-3:30 pm
Armstrong/Spallumcheen RDF
3367 Powerhouse Rd., Mon-Fri 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Sat/Sun 9:30 am-3:30 pm
Lumby/Electoral Area D RDF
221 Trinity Valley Rd., Thurs-Sun 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Cherryville RDF
205 Aumond Rd., Tues and Sat 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Kingfisher RDF
150 Beattie Rd., Sun 9:00 am-4:00 pm
CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING
When it comes time to dispose of your Christmas tree, don’t throw it out, recycle it!
There are numerous drop off locations throughout the region for Christmas trees. City of Vernon, District of Coldstream and B.X. residents can take trees that are free of decorations, lights, and other debris to the vacant lot next to St. John's Ambulance at 47th Avenue and 20th Street, up to January 10th.
Residents of Lumby can drop trees off at the east side of the curling rink parking lot between December 26th and January 8th.
Enderby residents can drop trees off at the Enderby public works yard from January 5th to 8th between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
City of Armstrong and all other North Okanagan residents can bring their Christmas trees to any RDNO Recycling and Disposal Facility until January 31st, 2010, free of charge.
CHRISTMAS WRAPPING PAPER
Traditional gift wrap (i.e. tears like regular paper) can be placed in Blue Bags for curbside collection. DO NOT include metallic, or cellophane wrap. Bows, ribbons, and tissue paper are best used again for other gifts and cannot be placed in Blue Bags for recycling. If your tissue paper is not suitable for reuse it can be put in your composter along with your tissues and paper towels.
PLASTIC PACKAGING
Look for the loop! If the packaging has a number 1,2,3,4,5,6,or 7 put it in the Blue Bag for recycling! No Styrofoam even if it has the recycling loop.
This holiday season challenge your co-workers, family and friends to reduce their holiday waste wherever possible!
For more information:
Karmen Morgan
Waste Reduction Coordinator
250-550-3700
Dale Danallanko
Recycling and Disposal Facilities Coordinator
250-550-3744
