Garbage, Composting & Recycling

Temporary changes to recycling due to impacts of extreme weather

As of November 18, 2021 and until further notice, the following temporary changes to recycling are in place due to transportation routes closed or slowed after recent extreme rainfall and damage to highways:

  • On the Kootenay side of the region including in the municipalities of Fruitvale, Montrose, Trail, Warfield and Rossland and portions of Electoral Areas A and B/Lower-Columbia, RecycleBC Curbside (Blue Box) Programs will no longer accept segregated glass starting Monday, November 22, 2021. Containers and fibre products will continue to be collected.

  • The RecycleBC Depot Program at McKelvey Creek Landfill will no longer accept foam, glass, and plastic bags and overwrap, and other flexible plastic packaging – any materials that are normally collected in mega bags or liners. Containers and fibre/cardboard will continue to be accepted.

  • On the Boundary side of the region at Christina Lake, West Boundary (Greenwood) and Rock Creek, the RecycleBC Depot Program will no longer accept glass and foam. These depots will continue to accept containers/fibre/cardboard and plastic bags and overwrap, and other flexible plastic packaging.

  • Residents are asked to store any recyclables not currently accepted.

For more information about recycling in your neighbourhood visit:

The RDKB will update residents as soon as more information is available and thanks you for your patience and understanding.

 

In our daily lives, we all end up with material or objects we need to dispose of in some way. Where and how we get rid of our waste has a big effect on our environment and on our costs as a region, and in turn how much our residents pay for the solid waste services we provide.

The RDKB provides curbside pickup of garbage and kitchen waste across the Boundary region, in one of the only comprehensive curbside waste management programs of its kind in rural BC. RecycleBC provides curbside pickup of household recyclables and depots throughout the District. Many other recycling programs in BC are operated by the industry that makes them. Check out the Recycling Council of BC to find out what and where.

Reduce, reuse, recycle. These are the principles behind how we operate and how we encourage everyone in our region to operate. 

You can reduce what goes into our landfills by composting and recycling, which give valuable resources renewed life and help us conserve landfill space, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a more sustainable system for dealing with waste.

 

 

 

Important changes to the Boundary/West Boundary Green Bin and Organics Diversion Program!

You can now add meat, bones and other food waste as well as food-soiled paper products. No diapers, pet waste, compostable plastics or polymers of any kind. See the Green Bin User Guide here for a full list of what you can and can't put into your green bin.

We also welcome City of Greenwood residents to the RDKB organics diversion and garbage collection program. See our special instructions to City of Greenwood residents here. 

 

 

What can go in my recycling blue box?

● Paper
● Tin
● Milk jugs
● Newspapers
● Cardboard


Check out the full list on the Recycle BC website. The site also includes information on how to properly dispose of Printed Paper and Packaging materials in your blue box.

The RDKB and Bottle Depots in Grand Forks and Trail also host RecycleBC recycling depots that accept the “blue box materials” above for recycling, as well as the following packaging materials:

● Glass
● Styrofoam packaging
● Film plastic
● Other flexible plastic (such as stand-up pouches, produce net bags).

I’ve got large amounts of recyclables; what should I do with them?

The RDKB hosts recycling bins for commercial customers at all staffed landfills and transfer stations. Please contact the RDKB for more information on what materials can be accepted and how to prepare them.

Where can I take beverage containers?

All beverage containers can be returned for deposit. Take them to your local bottle depot or to where you bought them.

What about my garden or yard debris?

If you don’t have space to compost, we accept your yard and garden debris for composting at our landfills. Learn more about composting (including worm composting).

Where do I get a blue box?

Boundary Residents (Christina Lake, Grand Forks, Greenwood, Midway, West Boundary): Please call GFL Canada at +1 888.791.1190
Greater Trail Residents (Rossland, Warfield, Trail, Genelle, Montrose, Fruitvale): Please call GFL Canada at +1 866.596.5444

Where do I get a green bin?

Boundary Residents (Christina Lake, Grand Forks, Midway, West Boundary) receive garbage and green bin collection services from the RDKB. Call 250.368.0231 to request a green bin or find out more information about the curbside collection service. The RDKB is planning to provide Greater Trail residents access to curbside green bin collection in 2022.

Landfill banned items

For environmental and safety reasons, items may be banned from the landfills.

Find a waste facility

Find Your Nearest RDKB Waste Facility.

Green bins & garden waste

How to dispose of food waste.

Reuse resources

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle