Recycling options to be re-thought for Oliver Landfill.

Directors told that municipalities are benefiting from the new system called “MMBC” (Multi Material BC) but unfortunately a number of things can no longer be recycled in the blue bag/box which has been disconcerting to many taxpayers.

RDOS recycling manager say a new “Mega Bag” system at the various landfills around the region and more contracted centres in built up areas are needed to cope with the changes.

Directors from Oliver – rural and municipal proposed today to have staff prepare a report on best way to deal with this in our area. Director Patton says the proposed system looks costly and there is some thought to having T2 Market becoming the recycling centre for all products so that citizens don’t need to go to the dump with plastic bags and Styrofoam.

A costly “Mega Bag” system at the Oliver Landfill is likely not to happen is the option above accepted.

Cameron Baughen, Supervisor of RDOS solid waste management says MMBC regulations state although mixed paper and other recyclables are permitted under the curbside blue bag program, they must be separated into different containers at landfills.

MMBC pays landfills for recycled materials to offset costs. While the process has worked well at Campbell Mountain in Penticton it becomes much less cost-effective at rural landfills.

The three smaller landfills, Keremeos, OK Falls and Oliver, all lost money under the new provincial program.

Oliver directors agreed that a local discussion needs to take place soon and that could happen as early as October 27th.

All politicians expressed an interest in having more items in the blue bag but the MMBC program was not designed like that and seems slow to adapt even though the dissatisfaction is heard around the province.