The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) Board of Directors authorized a seven-year contract be ratified for curbside and recycling services. During the regular meeting of the RDOS Board of Directors on Thursday, June 13, 2024, the RDOS Board voted to award the contract to Waste Connections Canada. The decision to authorize the contract was not unanimous.
Carts
The Waste Connections Canada contract requires carts for each residence. Introducing carts allows curbside and recycling collection to move to an automated collection system. This reduces work-related injuries for staff as it eliminates the need for lifting or maneuvering heavier bins. Easy-to-roll carts also improve neighbourhood aesthetics by keeping materials contained, reducing the reliance on bags, and limiting litter blowing away. Many cities and regional districts in B.C. have switched to carts.
The carts will be provided by the RDOS and will be delivered prior to the start of the new collection contract in July 2025. The three (3) carts for each household include one for garbage, one for recycling, and one for yard waste.
The cost of the carts is included in the curbside collection fees, which will be determined later in 2024. Residents with long driveways or pick-up points far from their homes may choose to leave carts at their pick-up point and fill them with waste on the morning of collection. It is still to be determined whether residents can use their existing carts.
Service contract
RDOS curbside and recycling customers are not able to opt out of curbside and recycling collection. According to the Local Government Act, the service of the regulation, storage and management of municipal solid waste and recycling material is not subject to withdrawal.
Local Government Act
B.C. Reg. 398/2000 REGIONAL DISTRICT SERVICE WITHDRAWAL REGULATION
Services that are not subject to withdrawal
1. The following services are exempted from withdrawal under Division 6 [Dispute Resolution in Relation to Services] of Part 10 [Regional Districts: Service Structure and Establishing Bylaws] of the Local Government Act:
(a) an emergency telephone system, including an emergency 911 system;
(b) a transit service;
(c) a regional parks service established under the Local Government Act;
(d) the service of the regulation, storage and management of municipal solid waste and recyclable material.
[am. B.C. Reg. 118/2018.]
For further information, please call the RDOS Solid Waste hotline at 250-490-4129. Click here to view the RDOS curbside and recycling collection fact sheet.
