Why so much illegal dumping? Okanagan clean up crew has a theory | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Why so much illegal dumping? Okanagan clean up crew has a theory

Okanagan Forest Task Force has been finding new dumpsites in the back country.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Kane Blake Okanagan Task Force

A group of Okanagan residents who patrol the forests and suss out illegal dumpsites have been busy.

"Illegal dumping is on the rise at the moment and growing fast," Kane Blake of the Okanagan Forest Task Force said, in a press release.

"The task force’s goal is simple, working to keep our forests clean and to bring public awareness to the issue of illegal dumping and its impact on forested areas."

Blake has several theories about what may be driving the growing number of illegal dumpsites, including residents hiring non-reputable haulers for spring cleaning.

Okanagan Task Force says back country dumping is on the rise.
Okanagan Task Force says back country dumping is on the rise.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Kane Blake Okanagan Task Force

Another possibility he offered is that COVID-19 has sent more people to their homes to do more cleaning and the line ups the landfill are far longer than they usually are this time of year.

"We have been doing more yard work recently and spent about 35 minutes in the line up just last week." Blake said in the release. "A simple Facebook search shows lots of people looking to hire people for Dump Runs but the real question is how much of it is actually making it to the landfill."

Blake said those who hire someone to take their stuff to the landfill should keep the names and conversations as well as proof of payment.

"This way if your information is found in a dumpsite you can possibly help to prove who dumped it," he said. "We need to start holding people accountable and not let them think this is ok to do." 

The group is hoping to get back to clean-ups even if they are just small ones.

"I just hate to see our beautiful forests turning into landfills from ignorant people being too lazy to go to the landfill." Blake said.

More junk is showing up in the forested areas of the Okanagan
More junk is showing up in the forested areas of the Okanagan
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Kane Blake Okanagan Task Force

This story was originally published April 30.


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