Crews to check Central Okanagan recycling bins this spring, summer for unacceptable items
Global News
The RDCO says audits show there are still a significant number of unacceptable items going into our recycling stream, especially plastic bags.
If you spot someone sifting through your recycling, it may be one of the regional district’s recycling ambassadors checking your blue bin.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) will be sending out crews to randomly inspect the contents of curbside recycling bins this spring and summer.
The RDCO says its recycling education program, now in its fourth season, is part of a broader effort to eliminate contamination in the recycling process.
“We understand that sorting waste and recycling can sometimes be confusing. Most residents are doing a pretty good job including only what’s acceptable to put in the carts,” RDCO engineering services manager Travis Kendel said in a release.
“But recycling audits show there are still a significant number of unacceptable items going into our recycling stream, especially plastic bags and other plastic films, and that’s a big problem.”
In addition to checking bins, the ambassadors will place a reference guide label on the carts to indicate what goes in and what stays out.
Kendel says when in doubt, don’t toss it in is an important thing to keep in mind. Placing the wrong materials in a cart, or items that do not belong or should be recycled at a depot only, lead to a contaminated recycling stream.
The regional district says if there is significant contamination, the cart won’t be picked up until the offending material is removed.
