North Okanagan residents have a new way to get rid of some nasty stuff hiding in their sheds and cupboards.
The Regional District of North Okanagan officially opened its Eco Depot Friday at Interior Freight and Bottle Depot on 24th Avenue in Vernon.
“We want to improve the convenience and decrease the disposal of hazardous waste in our landfills,” said Rick Fairbairn, RDNO chairperson.
Among the items that will be collected are aerosols, paint, waste oil and oil filters, water reactive solids, batteries, antifreeze and flammable liquids.
The Eco Depot actually opened in December and to date, more than 8,000 litres and 360 kilograms of household hazardous waste have been collected and disposed.
The $29,500 to construct the facility came from federal/provincial gas tax funds.
“This is a significant project for the area,” said Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA.
“As a society, we have come a long ways in managing solid waste.”
RDNO has entered into a five-year contract with Interior Recycling to operate the Eco Depot, as well as with Terrapure for pickup and disposal.
Currently, residents from outside of Vernon will have to drive to Interior Freight to dispose of hazardous waste items. But that could eventually change.
“If there is demand in the future, we may consider a facility in Lumby or Enderby,” said Nicole Kohnert, RDNO’s manager of regional engineering services.
For information, go to rdno.ca.
