Thompson-Nicola Regional District
Recycling and waste disposal is going to get a lot easier for people in the North and South Thompson regions and in particular, Barriere and Clearwater areas. Construction is underway on the new Clearwater and Louis Creek eco-depots to replace the Barriere and Clearwater landfills – due to close in the fall of 2012 – as the regional facilities for the North Thompson area.
Scheduled to open this fall, the new eco-depots will be built with easy access from the Yellowhead Highway and conveniently located for North Thompson residents. In the South Thompson, the new eco-depot concept and design received support of area residents at a public meeting held on March 14, 2012. An archeological assessment is underway to ensure any potential areas of cultural significance are protected.
Eco-depots offer a convenient ‘one-stop drop’ for recyclables, including paper, tin, aluminum and cardboard, and waste such as household and commercial garbage. They are divided into two separate areas – the first is the recycling area where all household recyclable materials can be dropped off before crossing the weigh scale and entering the second area for refuse disposal. To encourage waste reduction, you can recycle as much as you like free of charge.
Weight-based tipping fees will only apply when you dispose of refuse and other materials such as demolition waste that cannot be recycled.
Both the waste and recycling areas will be enclosed in large steel buildings to reduce any potential noise, odors or litter, plus new scales will accurately record waste and recycling which will help you save money. Eco-depots and transfer stations are more environmentally-friendly than landfills as no waste is buried on site. Waste and recyclables are hauled to other regulated landfills or recycling processing facilities.
New Eco-depots in Clearwater and Louis Creek will be completed in 2012. Facilities in Clinton, Logan Lake and Lytton are currently being upgraded to eco-depots for 2012. New eco-depots at the entrances to the Lower Nicola and Heffley Creek landfills will be completed by 2013. Site locations are also being developed for new eco-depots in Blue River and Little Fort. For more information about improvements underway to our solid waste and recycling facilities across the region, and for opening dates and hours of operation go to www.tnrd.ca on the Internet.
