There are efforts to ensure all North Okanagan residents can recycle.
The Regional District of North Okanagan wants Multi-Material B.C. to establish drop-off locations for rural residents currently not served by the curbside blue box collection program.
“They are considering it for glass but what about the rest of the stuff,” said rural Enderby director Jackie Pearase.
For rural areas not served by MMBC’s blue box program, residents can take their recycling to RDNO landfills for collection.
MMBC has two drop-off locations in Vernon specifically for plastic bags, plastic wrap, styrofoam and glass.
However, Pearase says that means some residents will drive significant distances.
“People in Mara have to go all the way to Vernon,” she said, adding that there is also a landfill in Armstrong.
If recycling it not being taken to RDNO landfills for collection, Pearase fears some residents will discard their recycling illegally in wooded or rural settings.
“There’s a concern we’re going to see more stuff at Hunter’s Range or on Hartnell Road,” she said.
