New Green Bin Program - RDKB Kootenay Region
Do you live in Trail? Rossland? Warfield? Montrose? Fruitvale? Area A? Area B?
October 1, 2023
Curbside Green-Bin organics and kitchen scraps collection will begin
This Join the Conversation page is set-up to give you the information you need for this exciting new program. Whether you are looking for information about what items you can put in your green bin (and what items are not accepted), or if you need information on how to prevent food waste, or maybe you have a question, this is your 'One-Stop-Shop' for all things green bin and organics!
Check back here frequently for up to date information and if you have a question, check the questions and comments section at the bottom of this page (or the FAQs tab), if your question isn't answered, send us one!
Going Greener
As part of the Regional District’s commitment to Zero Waste Goals and efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, a new waste reduction program will be launched targeting the diversion of food waste and kitchen scraps in the McKelvey Creek Wasteshed (which includes Trail, Rossland, Warfield, Montrose, Fruitvale and Area A and B).
Upcoming Changes
To facilitate the green bin program, agreements have been reached with municipalities of Trail, Rossland, Warfield and Fruitvale to allow for the transition of garbage collection services to the Regional District. Garbage collection will be a user-pay, bag-tag system that will allow for the dual collection of garbage and food waste at the same time using split packer trucks. These trucks have separate collection compartments for each waste type, so that one does not contaminate the other. Currently, up to 38% of landfill waste is compostable organics.
Why Use Your Green Bin?
Using your green bin is smart - for both your wallet and the environment.
Reduce your Disposal Costs - There is no charge for residential curbside green bin collection, so by putting kitchen waste in the green bin, you will reduce your garbage and save money with the new user-pay bag tag system.
Extends the life of the landfill - By diverting organic waste from the landfill, you are helping conserve valuable landfill space. Landfill expansion projects are very costly and time consuming, so it makes sense (and cents!) to keep organics out.
Reduces greenhouse gas emissions - Organic waste buried in a landfill decomposes anaerobically - without oxygen - releasing methane greenhouse gases. By diverting organics from the landfill we expect to see an annual average reduction of 2,225 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the diversion of 877 to 1451 metric tonnes of food waste. This equates to 495 cars driven for one year. By composting organic waste, greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced.
It creates compost - a valuable resource! - Our food waste will be composted at the Central Salmo Composting Facility operated by the RDCK. By using your green bin, you will help create a valuable Class A marketable compost.
What to expect this August 2023
Green bins, along with educational materials and a kitchen tote, will be delivered to residents in August. 80L sized bins that are considered “critter resistant” (racoons, skunks, rats, etc.) will be the standard bin size distributed. The RDKB has purchased a limited number of “bear resistant” bins that will be available under a trade-in program. Residents will be required to exchange the standard bin and pay the difference in cost to receive the bear resistant bin.
Starting October 1, 2023
Residential curbside collection in the McKelvey Creek Wasteshed will be as follows:
- For the communities of Trail, Rossland, Warfield, Fruitvale and Electoral Areas A and B, weekly collection of garbage and green bin (food waste) will occur. Residents must use RDKB garbage tags only for the user-pay garbage component.
- Garbage tags will be available for purchase from local businesses and local government offices at a cost of $3.00 each, details are to follow.
- For the community of Montrose, weekly collection of green bin (food waste) will be provided by the RDKB. Garbage collection services will be maintained by the Village of Montrose.
The RDKB has awarded the contract to GFL Environmental Inc who will provide the residential curbside collection of garbage and green bin food waste.
Food Waste accepted in the green bin will include items such as meat, bones, left over cooked food, grease and other food waste that should not be included in a backyard composter. No plastics of any kinds will be accepted in the green bin program, including bin liners labelled biodegradable or compostable. Only kraft paper bags or “Bag to Earth” bin liners will be accepted in the program.
No Plastics Please!
The RDKB is grateful for the approximately $700,000 in grant funding from the Province that will assist with the implementation of the project, including public education, collection bin supply and distribution.
If you are a resident of Trail, Warfield, Rossland or Fruitvale, please contact your local municipal office if you have questions regarding the transition of garbage collection and how this will impact your current program and utility billing.
Stay tuned for more information and sign up to this “Join the Conversation” page for updates.
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