Part of the encampment near Okanagan Falls.
Image Credit: Okanagan Forest Task Force
May 25, 2024 - 7:00 PM
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has waived tipping fees at landfills for community clean-up efforts.
The district said in a news release that illegal dumping causes numerous problems including health, safety, environment, and economic threats like increased wildfire risk.
This move to waive landfill fees was spurred by groups like the Okanagan Forest Task Force, a non-profit volunteer group dedicated to cleaning up trash in the backcountry.
Recently the task force located a large dump site near Okanagan Falls with RVs, household trash, burnt cars, and other garbage. The task force organized a clean-up event today to attempt to tackle some of the garbage in the local woods.
“It’s impressive to see the work being done by volunteers to protect our natural environment,” the district’s chair Mark Pendergraft said in the release. “These cleanup events are important reminders to everyone to respect the backcountry and dispose of garbage and other materials at local landfills.”
READ MORE: Volunteer group tackling largest encampment cleanup yet
The task force anticipated hitting a milestone at today’s event; 1,000,000 lbs. of garbage and recyclable material removed from local forests.
Community groups who want to organize clean-up efforts at illegal dumping sites can contact the district’s waste department in advance to get landfill tipping fees waived for their clean-ups.
Click here for the district’s dumping tipping fee waiver.
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