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 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) 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): Asphalt Shingles, Crushable, Asphalt, Concrete, Drywall, Major Appliances, Logs and Stumps (clean & grindable), Mattresses & Boxsprings, Propane Tanks, Scrap Metal, Soil/Fill Material, Wood Waste, and Yard and Garden Waste.
- Commercial Food Waste and Recyclable Commercial Cardboard. These materials have collection services provided by local service providers.
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: (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) Preserved Wood including Creosote treated railway ties; (o) Sawdust; (p) Screenings from municipal sewage treatment plants, pump stations, domestic septic systems or other wastewater treatment systems; and (q) 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) Hydrovac material; (e) Liquid or semi-solid wastes, including Septage Waste, except as permitted in the RDNO Solid Waste Management bylaw; (f) Renderable Products; (g) Septage waste; (h) Slaughterhouse, fish hatchery, and cannery wastes and by-products; (i) Solid Waste that is on fire, smouldering, or has the potential to reignite.
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 at 1-800-667-4321 or access the RCBC Recyclepedia App at: rcbc.ca.