A region-wide cardboard ban will take effect starting July 1, 2016. However, contrary to what many understood, the ban does not include all types of cardboard.
Starting next month, only corrugated cardboard will be banned at solid waste management facilities within the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN).
Corrugated boxes have a corrugated medium layer (rippled layer) sandwiched between layers of liner board. These boxes are used for packing, storing and transporting products.
Cardboard boxes for cereal, shoes, tissues, frozen entrees and desserts will continue to be accepted at solid waste management facilities, as well as carrier trays for bulk bottled water, soft drinks, cans and food. In addition, cores for paper bowl and toilet tissue, egg cartons, take-out beverage trays and empty paper-based garden pots will continue to be accepted.
According to Sheryl Worthing, Chief Administrative Officer for the Village of Burns Lake, the village had been under the impression that all cardboard would be banned.
“We didn’t ask and they (RDBN) didn’t think to explain,” she said. “The regional district didn’t understand that nobody else understood.”
Lakes District News asked the regional district if there was a miscommunication between the RDBN, the Village of Burns Lake and the general public. The RDBN did not respond by press time.
Worthing says the village’s message will remain the same. The village encourages residents to recycle all types of cardboard, even though not all types will be banned.
Residents are advised take their recyclable cardboard to the Burns Lake Recycling Depot; this service is free of cost.
Industrial and institutional customers have the option of taking their recycling to the Burns Lake Recycling Depot for a fee, or arranging cardboard recycling with a local collector or service provider and pay associated costs.
Councillor Kelly Holiday said during a council meeting last week that this is good news for small business owners such as her that were rushing to find recycling options.
“When you think now it’s just corrugated cardboard and not everything, it makes a substantial difference for business owners,” she said.
According to the regional district, the overall intent of the cardboard ban is to minimize the amount of waste that is ultimately landfilled, as waste reduction has been a priority for the RDBN board of directors.
Waxed or contaminated corrugated cardboard – covered with grease, oil, paint or other materials – is not recyclable and should be placed in the garbage.
