FACT SHEET

UPDATED: June 27, 2024

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) Board of Directors authorized a seven-year contract be ratified for curbside and recycling services. During the regular meeting of the RDOS Board of Directors on Thursday, June 13, 2024, the RDOS Board voted to award the contract to Waste Connections Canada. The decision to authorize the contract was not unanimous.

The following information is intended to provide information about curbside and recycling services in the Regional District. The RDOS Board of Directors and staff understand the challenges increased fees pose to families. Please visit the Curbside Collection project page on the RDOS Regional Connections website for further information and updates.

Cost increases
Every seven years the RDOS conducts a request for proposals (RFP) for the Curbside Collection Program contract. An RFP was issued and the lowest bid was accepted.

Among all the bids received, Waste Connections Canada was deemed to be the most qualified and feasible contractor. Waste Connections Canada is one of Canada's largest full-service waste management companies and is the current contractor for RDOS curbside recycling and garbage collection.

The curbside and recycling contract, which includes mixed food and yard waste, takes effect July 1, 2025.

Quarterly billing
Curbside and recycling rates will be reviewed and recommendations will be made later in 2024.
To reduce the impact on customers, the RDOS will transition from annual to quarterly billing. A monthly, equal payment plan option is also available. For payment information, please visit the finance page on the RDOS website: www.rdos.bc.ca.

Carts
The Waste Connections Canada contract requires carts for each residence. Introducing carts allows curbside and recycling collection to move to an automated collection system. This reduces work-related injuries for staff as it eliminates the need for lifting or maneuvering heavier bins. Easy-to-roll carts also improve neighbourhood aesthetics by keeping materials contained, reducing the reliance on bags, and limiting litter blowing away. Many cities and regional districts in B.C. have switched to carts.

The carts will be provided by the RDOS and will be delivered prior to the start of the new collection contract in July 2025. The three (3) carts for each household includes one for garbage, one for recycling, and one for organic waste (yard and food waste).

The cost of the carts is included in the curbside collection fees, which will be determined later in 2024. Residents with long driveways or pick-up points far from their homes, may choose to leave carts at their pick-up point and fill them with waste on the morning of collection. It is still to be determined whether residents can use their existing carts.

Food scraps
Food scraps and other organic materials account for approximately 40% of waste entering landfills in the Regional District by weight, and the RDOS Solid Waste Management Plan has identified composting as one of the best means to divert waste entering local Landfills.

Diverting food waste from landfills can extend its life and delay the need to develop more costly landfill sites. It is estimated that composting food waste will reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions by 14%. Food scraps include meat, bones, dairy products, bread, cooked food, small amounts of grease, and other organic material.

The costs to process organic food scraps collection service is expected to be lower than the cost to landfill.  This service is anticipated to begin in Electoral Areas “B” “D” “E” “F” “G” and “I” upon completion of an organics composting facility at Campbell Mountain Landfill later in 2025. Area “C” will be serviced by the already existing compost facility at Oliver Landfill. Area “A” is still to be determined.

Food scraps and yard waste will be collected in the same cart. Collection will be limited to the volume of the cart and will take place weekly throughout the year. During periods of higher yard waste accumulation, such as spring and fall, unlimited yard waste collection dates may be offered.

Service contract
RDOS curbside and recycling customers are not able to opt out of curbside and recycling collection. According to the Local Government Act, the service of the regulation, storage and management of municipal solid waste and recycling material is not subject to withdrawal.

Local Government Act       
B.C. Reg. 398/2000 REGIONAL DISTRICT SERVICE WITHDRAWAL REGULATION

Services that are not subject to withdrawal
              1. The following services are exempted from withdrawal under Division 6 [Dispute Resolution in Relation to Services] of Part 10 [Regional Districts: Service Structure and Establishing Bylaws] of the Local Government Act:
(a)an emergency telephone system, including an emergency 911 system;
(b)a transit service;
(c)a regional parks service established under the Local Government Act;
(d)the service of the regulation, storage and management of municipal solid waste and recyclable material.
[am. B.C. Reg. 118/2018.] 

For further information, please visit the curbside and recycling collection project page at rdosregionalconnections.ca or call the RDOS Solid Waste hotline at 250-490-4129.

RDOS Communications
250-490-4148
Toll-Free 1-877-610-3737