RDCK drafts new plan for recycling, composting and landfilling
By Nelson Daily Staff
The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is in the final stages of updating its Resource Recovery Plan (RRP); a blueprint for how to reduce, reuse, recycle and manage waste in this region over the next 10 years.
In a media release Tuesday, RDCK calls it a Resource Recovery Plan, because when 'waste' products can be used for something else, such as growing food, they then become a 'resource'.
A RRP is a plan that all BC regional districts must prepare and update every 10 years.
“We’ve been working with consultants and a great advisory committee with representation from municipal government, business, and the general public to come up with a plan that we think is progressive but do-able,” said RDCK’s Todd Johnston, who is coordinating the RRP update.
Johnston said the previous RRPs have focused on improving our disposal system.
“This one focuses more on Zero Waste initiatives – reducing what we send to the landfill. In particular, the plan targets food waste, which is roughly one-quarter of what we landfill,” Johnston said.
“Composting food waste will not only save landfill space but will also reduce the generation of methane in our landfills. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, much more potent than carbon dioxide. So, by tackling food waste we are also addressing the climate emergency.”
Before they finalize the new plan, the RDCK is seeking community feedback.
An online survey has been posted on the website, www.rdck.ca/rrp.
As an incentive for the public providing feedback, survey respondents can enter a draw for one of two $100 gift certificates to a local business of their choice.
The RDCK said it is already moving ahead with diverting food waste from being landfilled — with the construction of two food waste composting facilities, one in Creston and one near Salmo, approved.
The RDCK said in 2022, Creston, Castlegar and Nelson will add food scraps collection to their waste residential collection service.
One of the ideas the RDCK is seeking feedback on is whether to expand food waste collection into other areas within the RDCK.
- Should other municipalities consider a food waste collection program?
- Should there be a food scraps and garbage collection program provided in the higher density parts of the electoral areas, particularly if there is a composting facility nearby?
To get this information and a link to the survey, visit www.rdck.ca/rrp.
The RDCK wants to make the survey accessible for people who can’t fill it out online.
“RDCK residents can give us a call and we will fill out the survey with them over the phone,” said Johnston.
“With COVID, we didn’t want to have to figure out the logistics and safety protocols of distributing and returning paper surveys, so between having the survey online and the phone option, we think we have everyone covered.”
