The Regional District of North Okanagan is reminding residents that fees at RDNO landfills and transfer stations will increase effective January 1, 2027, as part of the four-year rate schedule approved by the RDNO Board of Directors in 2024.
Beginning January 1, the minimum charge for several products, including garbage, will increase from $10 to $12. For garbage disposal, the new minimum charge will allow customers to dispose up to 98 kg (216 lbs), an increase of 15 kg (33 lbs) over the current allowance. Per-tonne disposal fees for several other materials will also increase. A complete schedule of landfill and transfer station fees is available online.
The RDNO’s Solid Waste Management service is funded primarily through user fees, with only a small portion supported through taxation. This funding model reflects the principles of the RDNO Solid Waste Management Plan, which promotes a polluter-pay and user-pay approach. Under this model, residents who generate more waste generally pay more, while those who generate less waste pay less.
Residents can help reduce disposal costs by separating recyclable and reusable materials from their garbage and consolidating loads to reduce the number of trips to facilities. In addition to saving money, fewer trips can also reduce fuel consumption and time spent traveling.
Managing waste and operating disposal facilities involves high, ongoing costs. User fees help fund daily operations, facility maintenance, environmental monitoring, infrastructure improvement, future capital projects, and long-term closure reserves. These investments are essential to ensuring the RDNO’s waste management system remains safe, reliable, and financially sustainable for years to come.
The RDNO encourages residents to consider ways to reduce the amount of waste they generate and dispose of. The North Okanagan is Too Good To Waste, and small actions, such as reducing, reusing, and rethinking, can have a meaningful impact. By making thoughtful choices about what we consume and discard, we can conserve valuable resources, extend the life of local landfill facilities, and support a more sustainable circular economy. Some tips include:
- Reduce waste before it starts. Choose reusable options, buy only what you need, and get the most out of the items you already have. Learn more at rdno.ca/rethink.
- Keep food waste out of the garbage. Use your curbside organics cart (where available) or start backyard composting. This can reduce odours, deter wildlife, and help you make fewer trips to the landfill. Learn more at rdno.ca/compost.
- Recycle more for free. Many items, including beverage containers, batteries, electronics, paint, tires, oil, medications, and light bulbs, can be recycled at dedicated collection sites. Find locations at rdno.ca/whatgoeswhere.
- Use recycling programs. Most packaging and paper products can be recycled for free through Recycle BC curbside and depot programs. Learn more at recyclebc.ca/north-okanagan.
- Consider curbside collection. If you don't receive municipal garbage or organics service, a private curbside collection provider may save you time, fuel, and trips to the landfill or transfer station.
Residents can receive regular updates on all Solid Waste Management topics by subscribing to the RDNO email list at rdno.ca/subscribe. For more information on RDNO landfills and transfer stations, please visit rdno.ca/wastefacilities.
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For media inquiries:
Stacey Raftus, Communications Officer
communications@rdno.ca