Thank you to everyone who participated in the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) survey.
Your feedback is helping shape how solid waste will be managed across the RDOS for the next decade. Nearly 400 residents shared their priorities and ideas, providing valuable insight into what matters most to RDOS communities. Below are some of the key findings from the survey.

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) is updating the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP). This will replace the previous SWMP that was adopted in 2012. As part of the planning process, the RDOS conducted an online survey to gain public input on how solid waste should be managed in the region for the next decade.

The survey closed on February 28, 2025. Highlights of the survey results include:

• Nearly 400 responses were collected and analyzed. Representing residents from across the region:
  • 72% from urban areas (municipalities)
  • 28% from rural areas (Electoral Areas)
• Most respondents live in single-family homes, but many housing types were represented in the responses.
  
• Respondents were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with existing solid waste services:
  • Over 90% said they were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with their curbside collection services for garbage, recyclables and yard waste.
  • Satisfaction with current waste management facilities ranged from 50% to 95% with most facilities receiving over 80% satisfaction ratings.
• Respondents expressed interest in the following changes to solid waste management in the RDOS:
  • A third of respondents would like to see the implementation of food scraps collection.
    • Some residents identified concerns with program costs, human-wildlife conflicts and potential contamination.
  • Over 15% of respondents want to see curbside recycling programs expanded to include more materials such as glass, more plastic (such as bags and wrappers) and Styrofoam.
  • Almost 10% of respondents identified wanting more frequent yard waste collection or to expand the collection season.
    
    
• Respondents throughout the RDOS ranked their priorities for assessing solid waste management programs as:
  1. Waste Diversion
  2. Waste Reduction
  3. Convenience
  4. Environmental Protection
  5. Cost
     
     
• Responses indicate that residential waste diversion programs are a higher priority for RDOS residents than programs targeting businesses and institutions.
  
  

The number and diversity of responses to the survey provide RDOS with valuable insight into the priorities and preferences of residents throughout the region. The survey results were shared with the SWMP Public Advisory Committee and Technical Advisory Committee and continue to influence the development of the updated regional SWMP.