Longer hours tried out for yard and garden waste drop-off

Apr 3, 2024 | 5:00 AM

People will be able to take advantage of extended hours for yard and garden waste drop-off at the Greater Vernon Diversion and Disposal Facility this month.

In a trial project, the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) will offer longer hours on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays starting Thursday, April 4 and ending Saturday, April 27, with the yard and garden waste drop off staying open until 7:30 p.m.

The service is free of charge. The yard waste is used to produce a compost called RDNO-Gro.

Bulk loads of that type of waste hauled in tandem axle vehicles will not be accepted after the regular closing time (4:30 p.m. weekdays, 4:00 p.m weekends) and the remainder of the GVDDF will be closed during the extended hours.

Yard and garden waste drop off customers are reminded that:

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All materials must be debagged; plastic bags must not be left in the pile, Kraft paper bags can be left in the pile, but must be emptied first.
Only leaves, grass, mulch, trimmings, prunings and other plant material less than 20 cm (or approximately 8 inches) in diameter are accepted in the Yard & Garden Waste Drop Off area.
Yard & Garden waste does not include animal feces, cardboard, logs and stumps (over 20 centimeters in diameter), plastic, soil, rocks, noxious weeds, fencing, fabric, netting and other non-vegetative landscaping and gardening waste.
Any material other than Yard & Garden Waste will not be accepted.

Dale Danallanko, RDNO’s Manager of Environmental Services, said the extended hours will provide residents with additional flexibility and options to manage their yard and garden waste.

“The extended hours reflect the RDNO’s commitment to providing residents with opportunities to divert waste and support the long term sustainability of our region,” Danallanko said. “Keeping yard and garden waste out of landfills is important for conserving valuable landfill capacity and for reducing methane emissions that are created when yard and garden waste is landfilled.”

For more information on Free Yard & Garden Waste Drop-off and sustainable yard care tips go to: www.rdno.ca/compost.

by Pete McIntyre

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