Notice of Curbside Garbage Cart Size

News Article

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) has been advised by its service provider, Waste Connections Canada (WCC), curbside garbage carts are exceeding the maximum allowable weight and volume regulations as per its contract and outlined under the heading “Curbside Garbage” both on the curbside calendar and at rdos.bc.ca/curbside. This resulted in some carts in the rural curbside service area being tagged last week without receiving pick up. Rural curbside service areas include Electoral Areas A, B, C, D, E, F, G, I, and the Village of Keremeos.

The maximum allowable garbage cart size for semi-automated lift trucks is one 240L cart each week. This is to ensure drivers are able to lift and manage loads safely. All carts designed for the semi-automated lift must have a metal bar halfway up the front. WCC has recently undertaken an internal audit due to injuries and an increase in the number of trucks on the road. It was discovered that the size of some curbside garbage carts is much larger than the contract allows for, as many garbage carts are 360L in size (with a bar halfway up the front) and over the 57 kg (125 lbs) limit.

In discussions with the service provider, WCC has agreed to permit the use of the oversize 360L carts for residential garbage collection provided the cart is no more than half-full and the weight does not exceed 57 kg (125 lbs).

My 360L garbage cart is half-full but I have more garbage for collection. What can I do?

If you have more garbage than the permitted half-full 360L cart amount, the garbage must be bagged separately and a tag-a-bag sticker must be purchased and placed on the bag. Please leave the extra bags outside of your half-full garbage cart as the extra weight may result in your cart not being picked up. Additional garbage bags are not to exceed 25 kg (55 lbs). Tag-a-bag stickers are available for $1.50 and information on where to purchase them is provided in your Rural Curbside Collection Calendar.

My 360L garbage cart was not picked up last week. Will my garbage be collected this week?

If your 360L garbage cart was tagged last week, the contractor has agreed to pick up all of last week’s garbage and in this week’s garbage. Any extra bagged garbage must be placed beside the cart, and must not weigh more than 25 kg (55 lbs).

What will happen with my garbage collection starting October 25 and onward?

Starting October 25, any 360L cart being used for garbage must not exceed the half-full limit. Any additional garbage is required to be bagged and labelled with a tag-a-bag sticker. Each additional bag must have its own sticker and be clearly visible for the driver. Extra bags cannot exceed 25 kg (55 lbs) and should be placed next to the garbage cart. If you choose to place the tagged extra bag in the cart, the cart weight over the half-full limit should not weigh more than 79 kg (175 lbs). Carts exceeding the weight restriction may result in uncollected garbage.

What else can I do with my 360L cart if I can’t fill it with garbage?

The 360L cart is the maximum cart size acceptable for household recycling only, and recycling is unlimited. If your existing cart size for recycling is a 240L size, you may swap it to use for garbage and use the 360L cart for recycling, just ensure if the 240L colour is blue, clearly label it as garbage. If the 360L cart is not blue, it must be labelled ‘Recycling.’ Recycling stickers are provided by the RDOS at no charge.

The RDOS offers weekly reminders and curbside alerts. Visit www.rdos.bc.ca and select Programs & Services, then select Garbage, Recycling and Organic Waste. Select the calendar icon and enter your address. When your address appears, click Get a Reminder.

If you have questions or concerns, please call the RDOS Public Works Hotline at 250-490-4129. Please leave a message with your name and telephone number and your call will be returned between the hours of 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

 

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Karla Kozakevich, Chair
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

 

Contacts:

 Janice Johnson
Solid Waste Management Coordinator
250-490-4129

Erick Thompson Andrea Rendall RDOS Toll Free
RDOS Communications RDOS Communications 1-877-610-3737
250-490-4211 250-490-4147  

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