Landfill Fees Changing April 15th To Better Deal With Asbestos
Fees for the Campbell Mountain Landfill in Penticton, the Oliver Landfill, Okanagan Falls Landfill and Keremeos Transfer Station will be updated April 15th. These changes include a reduction in fees for assessed demolition materials at the Okanagan Falls Landfill. Updated definitions for what materials can be accepted are now in force. Residents can contact the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) or visit the RDOS website for landfill details.
Asbestos is one of the leading workplace killers in BC. Lead paint, which was used widely, can cause developmental problems in children. Mercury, mold and other hazards can be found in many buildings. WorkSafeBC requires that any demolition and renovation projects go through an assessment process to check for hazards to ensure they have been safely removed. Often people ignore these requirements exposing themselves, their family, contractors, waste haulers and landfill staff to
serious hazards.
In order to convince people to do the right thing, starting April 15th the RDOS has dropped fees for assessed demolition and construction mixed waste from $200 a tonne to $125 a tonne at the Okanagan Falls Landfill. The RDOS is launching a new construction mixed waste acceptance form. This will allow for the safe sorting of mixed materials from new construction sites. Right now new construction waste is being landfilled due to potential contamination from renovation or demolition waste. Demolition and construction mixed materials from outside of the Campbell Mountain, Okanagan Falls or Keremeos Landfill Service areas will be charged a higher fee of $150 a tonne.
Anyone bringing in assessed demolition and construction waste will need to fill in a free application form and submit their WorkSafeBC compliant documents in advance to allow for the reduced rates at the Okanagan Falls Landfill. The Okanagan Falls Landfill has one of the only construction and demolition sort facilities in the Interior of BC. In 2017 the facility was able to keep over 93% of the assessed demolition waste it received out of the landfill. Clean building materials kept separate from each other, including wood, drywall, metal and concrete, will continue to have lower rates at local landfills. To encourage safe disposal, properly
bagged and manifested asbestos will be free at the Campbell Mountain and Oliver Landfills. To allow for safe disposal, haulers of asbestos must register in advance to set up an appointment at the Campbell Mountain or Oliver Landfill.
Details on how to safely and legally dispose of asbestos for free is available through the RDOS.