New Green Bin Program - RDKB Kootenay Region

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Green Bin delivery is complete !

You should now have received your green bin, kitchen catcher, information package and sample Bag to Earth bin liners. Please read through the materials. Curbside collection starts the beginning of October. Green bin and garbage collection will be at the same time each week.

Click HERE for the NEW collections calendar.

If you are interested in upgrading to a BEAR resistant BIN... click the BIN below and fill out the form:

>> The Green Bin program is not mandatory, therefore you do not have to participate. If you do not generate much garbage in the first place, you might not need or want your bin. You can return your green bin to our RDKB office in the Gulch (beside the firehall). Please bring your bin in the RDKB front doors to our reception area, be sure to write your name and address on paper so we know which household the bin came from.

>> We will also be collecting extra bins this October therefore we can pick it up. For pick-up of your bin, please email knowwaste@rdkb.com and include your name, address and phone number and a location at your household of where the green bin is located for pick-up.


October 2023 Curbside Green-Bin organics and kitchen scraps collection will begin in Rossland, Warfield, Trail, Montrose, Fruitvale and Area A and B.

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.

Your Green Bin

Green bins, along with educational materials and a kitchen tote, were 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 are 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 2023

Residential curbside collection in the McKelvey Creek Wasteshed will be as follows:

The RDKB has awarded the contract to GFL Environmental Inc who will provide the residential curbside collection of garbage and green bin food waste.

Bin Liners - 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 100% paper bags or “Bag to Earth” bin liners will be accepted in the program. Available locally at Canadian Tire, No Frills, Home Hardware, Safeway and Ferraro Foods.

You do not need to use a bin liner at all, this is up to you. You can put your kitchen scraps directly in your kitchen catcher and then directly in your green bin for pick up. Feel free to use small amounts of cardboard, boxboard, newspaper or paper towel to help keep your bin clean.

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.

Click on the Green Bin User Guide for program information:

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.


Green Bin delivery is complete !

You should now have received your green bin, kitchen catcher, information package and sample Bag to Earth bin liners. Please read through the materials. Curbside collection starts the beginning of October. Green bin and garbage collection will be at the same time each week.

Click HERE for the NEW collections calendar.

If you are interested in upgrading to a BEAR resistant BIN... click the BIN below and fill out the form:

>> The Green Bin program is not mandatory, therefore you do not have to participate. If you do not generate much garbage in the first place, you might not need or want your bin. You can return your green bin to our RDKB office in the Gulch (beside the firehall). Please bring your bin in the RDKB front doors to our reception area, be sure to write your name and address on paper so we know which household the bin came from.

>> We will also be collecting extra bins this October therefore we can pick it up. For pick-up of your bin, please email knowwaste@rdkb.com and include your name, address and phone number and a location at your household of where the green bin is located for pick-up.


October 2023 Curbside Green-Bin organics and kitchen scraps collection will begin in Rossland, Warfield, Trail, Montrose, Fruitvale and Area A and B.

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.

Your Green Bin

Green bins, along with educational materials and a kitchen tote, were 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 are 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 2023

Residential curbside collection in the McKelvey Creek Wasteshed will be as follows:

The RDKB has awarded the contract to GFL Environmental Inc who will provide the residential curbside collection of garbage and green bin food waste.

Bin Liners - 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 100% paper bags or “Bag to Earth” bin liners will be accepted in the program. Available locally at Canadian Tire, No Frills, Home Hardware, Safeway and Ferraro Foods.

You do not need to use a bin liner at all, this is up to you. You can put your kitchen scraps directly in your kitchen catcher and then directly in your green bin for pick up. Feel free to use small amounts of cardboard, boxboard, newspaper or paper towel to help keep your bin clean.

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.

Click on the Green Bin User Guide for program information:

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.

Questions & Comments - send them to our Green Bin Team

If you've got a question, our team loves answering them!

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    Can I put in tins of expired Campbell soup?

    Angeline asked 2 days ago

    YES!  Expired soup can go in the green bin - (but NOT the can please!!)

    >> Please recycle the tin can in Recycle BC's 'blue-bin' recycling program, at the local Trail Bottle Depot, or in the recycle area of the McKelvey (Trail) Landfill.  

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    My neighbor descided to drive over my blue recycling bins. Can I bring the mangled bins in and get new ones? And what is the cost associated with this?

    Tia asked 1 day ago

    Oh-No Tia!  The Blue Bin curbside collection program is operated by 'Recycle BC' (it is not an RDKB program).  I would suggest going to the Recycle BC website here for recycling specific questions:  https://recyclebc.ca/

    You can also call the local contractor who collects recycling through the Recycle BC program - GFL Environmental in Trail:  (250) 367-0099 - they might have a replacement blue bin for you.  (They are also available at Canadian Tire, Home Hardware and Walmart etc. for purchase).  

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    In the user guide, it says soiled tissue, napkins or paper towels should be put in a paper bag. If we are using the small bag to earth bags for kitchen waste, can the paper go in the same one or does it have to be in a separate paper only bag?

    Deb asked 2 days ago

    Thanks Deb!  This is totally up to you.  We would suggest that you use a 'regular' paper bag for your tissue and paper towel.  The food waste bags cost more, therefore just use those for food waste (if you choose).  The paper bags for tissue, papertowel and powdery materials (for example, left over flour etc.) help prevent these items from blowing around the neighbourhoods during curbside collections when your bin is tipped on collection day.  

    Finally - you do not need to use the food waste bags, we have provided residents with samples-only, therefore it is up to you whether or not you use these.  You can place your food waste directly into your kitchen catcher and then directly into your green bin if you choose (or maybe use some newspaper as a liner in your bins).  

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    I have very little regular garbage and only put out a kitchen catcher (small white bag). Must I pay the same price for a tag that large black bags pay?

    Lois asked 3 days ago

    Hi Lois, great question.  

    The answer is YES.  A $3 bag tag can be used on a small or large bag (up to a maximum of 50lbs), therefore we encourage residents NOT to put a small bag out each week.  If you choose, you can put a small bag out each week, but it has to have a bag tag on it and it will cost you $3 each week.

    Our suggestion is to keep your small kitchen catchers for a few weeks before putting them to the curb, and only pay the $3 fee once every 2-4 weeks if you can.  If you use a garbage can at home, you can put your small kitchen catchers into your garbage can.  Once the garbage can has 4-5 small kitchen bags in it, then put a garbage tag on the top bag and put it out to the curbside on your collection day, and your bin will be emptied (you can choose to use a large garbage bag for this as well).  Remember it has to be under 50lbs and the garbage must be in a container or in a garbage bag (not loose).  

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    As my garbage day is now changing does my blue bin recycling also change to my new day

    Nancy asked 4 days ago

    Hi Nancy, great question.

    No - blue bin recycling does not change.  (The blue bin recycling programs are not our programs, they are operated by Recycle BC): https://recyclebc.ca/

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    Can tag be put on garbage can, I don’t use large black bags just put my 2 small kitchen catcher bags in a garbage can, don’t want to have to use another plastic bag

    Nancy asked 15 days ago

    When you say kitchen catcher bags are you talking about the Green Bin Program as you don't need tags for any organics/kitchen scraps you put in the green bins collected weekly.  As long as you don't use plastic of any kind to line them - even if the plastic is biodegradable or compostable - as it will contaminate the load.  You can line the green bins with the 'bag to earth' liners or newspaper/boxboard/cardboard.  Each single large garbage bag must have a prepaid sticker tag on them to be picked up - I don't think that it would work putting the sticker on the top of the garbage can.


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    Where can I purchase larger bags for my food waste as the ones included with my green bin are so small, they won't begin to hold my weekly waste? Also, where do I purchase the $3.00 garbage tags?

    Wilbur Wostradowski asked 15 days ago

    Most of the small bags that do fit the kitchen catchers are the ones that contain plastic - and no plastics of any kind are allowed in the green bin program as they will contaminate the load - even if they are labelled biodegradable or compostable. As an alternative you can line your kitchen catcher with layers of cardboard, newspaper or boxboard, Kraft paper bags and wrap your scraps in newspaper as you go too.  I'm using those small bag to earth ones in my freezer and putting my kitchen scraps directly in that to put in the Green Bin on the morning of bin day.    This list of RDKB garbage tag retailers has just been posted up on our website (but you won't be able to purchase these new RDKB tags until the program starts on October 2.  Here is the link:  https://rdkb.com/Utilities-Waste/Garbage-Organics-and-Recycling/Garbage

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    I have trimmings from kohlrabi including it's leaves and roots and tops from carrots, can these be included in my green bin.

    Julie asked 16 days ago

    Yes Julie!  These can all go in your green bin.  You cannot put in any yard and garden waste like grass cuttings and leaves, but fruit and vegetables are fine.  

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    Purchase of the garbage tags - from what I have read it looks like the only place to purchase these is at the actual Landfill location in Trail for Trail residents. Will there eventually be other locations in Trail for these tags to be purchased going forward? Thanks.

    Teresa asked 16 days ago

    Hi Teresa, great question!

    YES!, there will be MANY locations that you can purchase garbage tags.  

    Here is a list of locations that you will be able to purchase garbage tags before the program starts this October:

    Trail City Hall, Rossland City Hall, Village of Warfield Office, Village of Fruitvale Office, RDKB Office, McKelvey Landfill (Trail Landfill), Retail locations include:  Ferraro Foods (Rossland, Trail), Safeway, No Frills and we are waiting on a few other retailers that will also stock garbage tags.

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    My black bag will have no food waste in it so why does it have to be in a bin ? At present I put the bag out , including food scraps , and have never had a problem. I don’t want to have the added expense of buying a bin. Can I continue as before ?

    asked 22 days ago

    Thank you for the question.  

    Yes, you can continue as before.  Your black garbage bag does not have to be in a bin, that is up to each household.  We encourage people to use a garbage can for their garbage when they put it out to the curb as this helps prevent the neighbourhood dogs or animals from dragging it away.  Again, it is up to each individual household.   As long as your garbage is 1 bag or a can not exceeding 120L in volume and 50lbs in weight combined container and contents and as long as it has a garbage bag tag (otherwise it won't be picked up).

     

Page last updated: 27 Sep 2023, 08:51 AM