Waste ambassadors help with what can — and can’t — go into recycling carts

Did you know that non-packaging plastics like toys and Tupperware-type containers are not part of the curbside recycling program?

That’s one reason why the Regional District of Central Okanagan Waste Reduction Ambassadors are back this spring and summer, to help educate residents and randomly check what’s in people’s recycling carts to help reduce recycling contamination.

The Cart Checking Program, now heading into its sixth season, aims to help raise awareness about proper residential recycling. The ambassadors will be reaching out to residents in all communities in the Central Okanagan through direct education and curbside cart checks.

“We’re focusing our education and outreach efforts this year with a ‘Know Before You Throw’ motto,” Cynthia Coates, Solid Waste Services Supervisor, said. “Most residents have the best intentions when it comes to recycling and are doing a good job including only what’s acceptable in the carts. That said, recycling audits regularly show there are still a substantial number of unacceptable items going into our recycling stream. If we don’t significantly reduce and eliminate these unacceptable products from our recycling loads, we face financial penalties from Recycle BC.”

Waste Reduction Ambassadors will have a look at the contents in recycling carts, and if they find items that don’t belong, they’ll leave an information card and place a handy yellow reference sticker right on the cart to highlight what goes in, and what stays out. In some cases, if there is significant contamination, carts won’t be picked up until the unaccepted material is removed. In the case of repeated instances of significant contamination, fines may be issued up to $150 per offence.

The following is a list of items that don’t belong in your cart:

• Garbage, including garden hoses, landscape edging tarps, wood, broken ceramics
• Non-packaging plastics such as toys, Tupperware-type containers, laundry baskets
• Items recyclable at depots and other drop-off locations (but not in the cart)
  • Plastic bags, including bagged recyclables
  • Styrofoam
  • Glass
  • Soft plastics such as cling wrap, bubble wrap, chip and snack bags, zipper bags
  • Electronics and small appliances
  • Textiles such as clothes, fabric and pillows
  • Soft cover novels and hardcover books and textbooks
• Hazardous waste
  • Hazards such as batteries, syringes, propane tanks, oil jugs

To find out more about what to recycle in your curbside cart or at a depot, download the free Recycle Coach App, check out the online plug-in at rdco.com/recycle or visit one of the many pop-up recycling depots in Peachland or Lake Country.