ENVIRONMENT – City, TNRD open year-round hazardous-waste facility

A new year-round residential household hazardous waste drop-off facility servicing Kamloops and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) free of charge is now a reality.

The service is a partnership between the City and the TNRD. A contract with North-Wood Environmental Ltd. was awarded at the Oct. 26, 2023, TNRD board meeting. The multi-year contract came into effect May 1, 2024.

“This is an exciting announcement to be able to offer this important service year-round. Previously, the City and the TNRD hosted one-off “round-up” events for household hazardous waste drop-off once a year,” said Glen Farrow, the City’s streets and environmental services manager.

“This is a really positive step in the right direction to help keep more household hazardous waste out of the landfill, and to offer a convenient, dedicated location for drop-off,” said Adriana Mailloux, the TNRD’s manager of solid waste and recycling.

The drop-off site opened for business May 1 at 480 Okanagan Way in the Mount Paul Industrial Park and is open to the public five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

What Materials Are Accepted?

Items will be accepted free of charge and safely disposed of or recycled. Residential-source quantities of the following items from the garage, shed, or under the sink are accepted:

•    adhesives, caulking, sealants
•    cleaning products (e.g. all-purpose and household cleaners, degreasers, furniture polishes, rust and lime removers)
•    compressed gas
•    fire extinguishers
•    flammable liquids
•    diesel
•    gasoline and gas/oil mixtures
•    household paint, paint-related materials
•    hot tub and pool chemicals
•    known products in unmarked containers (e.g. paint in a container other than the original paint can)
•    mercury-containing items
•    pesticides, fertilizers
•    propane canisters and tanks
•    unknown products in unmarked/unlabelled containers
•    used oil, filters, and antifreeze

Note: Drop-off is limited to one passenger vehicle per customer per day. A declaration form confirming the residential origin of the material is required at the time of drop-off. The form will be available on site or can be printed at TNRD.ca/HHW to be filled out ahead of time. Commercial or business-source hazardous waste may be accepted for a fee by approved, pre-scheduled appointment only. Please contact North-Wood Environmental Services directly to inquire.

What Materials Are Not Accepted?

The following items are currently not accepted:
•    asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (these materials may be accepted at Mission Flats Landfill for a fee)
•    agricultural pesticides, ammunition/explosives/flares, biomedical waste, radioactive materials, waste containing PCBs (call the BC Recycling Hotline at 1-800-667-4321)
•    pharmaceuticals (these can be taken to a pharmacy)
•    leaking or improperly sealed products

Residents are reminded that Mission Flats Landfill continues to accept certain household hazardous materials for free.

For more information, visit Kamloops.ca/HHW or TNRD.ca/HHW.