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SCRD clarifies tipping fees, illegal dumping

Editor: In response to the letter to the editor on Nov. 21, “Reporting system failing,” the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD)would like to provide some clarification about landfill tipping fees, the clean-up program and illegal dumping.

 

Editor:

In response to the letter to the editor on Nov. 21, “Reporting system failing,” the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD)would like to provide some clarification about landfill tipping fees, the clean-up program and illegal dumping.

Fees for disposal at the landfill (tipping fees) cover the costs of operating the landfill and the costs of diversion programs for materials such as green waste, wood, asphalt shingles and mattresses. Tipping fees are varied to encourage separation of materials with the goal to only bury items that cannot be diverted (recycled). 

The clean-up coupon replaced the neighbourhood clean-up due to the increasingly high costs to dispose of items left at the curb. There are numerous thrift stores, charities and online options to donate such goods.

Whether tipping fees are high or low, illegal dumping is widespread throughout B.C. Illegal dumping is a form of pollution and should be reported to the Ministry of Environment’s Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line by phone at 1-877-952-7277 or online at www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos/rapp/form.htm. Once reported, the information is provided on the same day to the Conservation Officer Service on the Sunshine Coast. Sometimes, there is evidence and the person or persons responsible will be legally required to clean it up.

Unfortunately, the SCRD has no jurisdiction on illegal dumping in the back roads or roadways. This is the responsibility of the Ministry of Environment or the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

However, the SCRD has two programs to support community clean-ups: the Good Samaritan Program and the Backroad Trash Bash. The Good Samaritan Program pays the landfill tipping fees for materials collected from illegal dump sites by volunteers. The Backroad Trash Bash is an annual one-day volunteer clean-up blitz that targets a different community on the Coast each year.

Bryan Shoji, SCRD general manager, infrastructure services department