Help reclaim backroads between Halfmoon Bay and Sechelt during the fourth annual Backroad Trash Bash on Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The annual event hosted by the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) serves to highlight the problem of illegal dumping in the woods and mobilize the community to help clean up known dump sites.
During the Trash Bash event, community volunteers are assigned various dumpsites accessible by backroad to clean up. That garbage is then accepted for free at the landfill through the Good Samaritan Program.
During the day’s cleanup efforts, volunteers are invited to enjoy a free barbecue lunch and the chance to win prizes.
In the past, volunteers have collected truckloads of garbage through the Backroad Trash Bash including items such as couches, tires, appliances and construction debris, in addition to regular household garbage.
“At last year’s Trash Bash, we removed six tonnes of material from backroads,” said Robyn Cooper, manager of waste reduction and recovery at the SCRD.
Although the cost of tipping fees at the landfill is sometimes said to be a reason for illegal dumping, Cooper said there are many ways to dispose of the kinds of garbage found in the woods that aren’t costly.
“Some materials that are dumped can be disposed of for free under product stewardship programs, such as electronics, tires, lead acid batteries, used paint and used oil,” Cooper said.
“We also find yard waste at illegal dump sites, which residents can also drop off for free at the Gibsons Residential Green Waste Facility, Salish Soils in Sechelt or the Pender Harbour Transfer Station.”
Illegal dumpsites in the woods are an eyesore and they can also pollute the soil and water and negatively affect wildlife.
If you see an illegal dumpsite, the SCRD asks that you report it to the BC Conservation Report All Poachers and Polluters line at 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP).
If you would like to get involved in this year’s Backroad Trash Bash event, meet at Coopers Green Park at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12 to register. You can also pre-register by emailing [email protected] or calling 604-885-6806.
