Black Press
Lake Country residents will soon be able to dispose of hazardous household materials year-round as the Regional District of Central Okanagan has contracted a permanent provider.
Regional district waste reduction facilitator Rae Stewart said this year’s hazardous waste round-up on Oct. 16 is the 20th annual event, and the final one.
“We’ve been looking for a permanent year-round facility for a while now,” she said.
Stewart said The Battery Doctors on Windsor Road in Kelowna have been awarded a contract to provide drop-off facilities six days a week for hazardous household materials.
The demand for hazardous household waste disposal is substantial in the region.
She noted the annual round-up day was a stop-gap measure.
People became accustomed to it as the chemicals could not be disposed of at the landfill or by way of the sewer system.
Stewart pointed out people want to do the right thing, but don’t have a lot of options for some of the more unusual materials.
Items accepted at the round-up are anything with a flammable, explosive or poisonous label.
The list includes solvents, chemicals, corrosive or toxic cleaners, pesticides and old gasoline. Automotive and household batteries, and propane tanks, are also accepted at the event.
“This is a much easier solution for residents,” Stewart said.
She said drop-offs can begin at The Battery Doctors starting the following week after the round-up.
She noted the annual waste drop-off is a steady event in terms of traffic.
Crews usually see close to 50,000 litres of chemicals and close to 1,000 vehicles arrive during the day.
The 20th annual Household Hazardous Waste Round-up will take place on Oct. 16 at the KLO campus of Okanagan College, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Access to the site will be off Raymer Avenue at Kelowna Secondary School.
For more information, visit www.regionaldistrict.com or contact the waste reduction office at 250-469-6250.
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