After implementing a bylaw earlier this year enforcing the recycling of cardboard for its residents, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District has begun enforcing the 10 per cent threshold for corrugated cardboard in loads of garbage for commercial and municipal customers.
As of Sept. 1, a fine may be issued when a commercial or municipal load of waste contains more than 10 per cent corrugated cardboard. The fine is given under the Mandatory Recyclable Material Bylaw and is based on volume.
Fines are only issues by TNRD staff and bylaw officers and will focus on large commercial and municipal loads. Disposal facility staff, including scale attendants, will not have the authority to issue fines.
“The intention of this bylaw is to reduce the amount of material that is being landfilled that can easily be recycled,” said Adriana Mailloux, TNRD manager of solid waste and recycling in a press release. “We encourage customers to work with their waste haulers and our staff to reduce or eliminate recyclables from their garbage.”
She added many regions throughout the province have similar bylaws.
Engagement meetings were conducted in 2021 by TNRD staff to hear directly from those who would be most affected by the bylaw. Staff continue to educate customers in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors about the new bylaw. As with the residential bylaw that came into affect earlier this year, the TNRD implemented mock ticketing in July and August for loads of refuse that contained more than 10 per cent corrugated cardboard.
Cardboard is currently the only material the bylaw applies to. The bylaw, however, allows for other commonly-recycled items may be added to the list of mandatory recycled materials in the future.
For more information on the Mandatory Recyclable Material Bylaw and to learn about recycling opportunities within the TNRD and to order hauler resources, please visit www.tnrd.ca/mandatory-recycling or call the TNRD at 1-877-377-8673.
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