Zero Waste Program
The Zero Waste Program evolved from the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan which was adopted by the RDKS Board and the BC Minister of Environment in 1995. The implementation of the Plan covers landfill sites, composting, recycling, cost recovery, regulations, public education and more.
A Board appointed committee oversees the implementation of this Plan - to follow their work see the Plan Monitoring Advisory Committee (PMAC) Resources page.
More than Reduce, Re-use, and Recycle, a Zero Waste approach emphasizes a closed loop system for all materials that are produced or used by our economy and lifestyle. It emphasizes designing for the environment at the manufacturing level to make sure all products can be recycled back into the economy and back into nature.
RDKS Three Point Zero Waste Strategy
1. Zero Organics to landfill.
2. Local End Market Development and Community Capacity-Building.
Quick Facts
- over 50% of Regional Districts in BC have adopted a Zero Waste target
- the Province of BC supports zero waste through the BC Recycling Regulation, for example, Product Stewardship programs (i.e. beverage containers and TVs) require manufacturers to take responsibility for end of life costs and solutions for their products
- roughly 50% of the waste stream is organic material; the other 50% is product waste - through composting programs and recycling we can actually achieve near zero garbage but this will take time (10 to 20 years is the accepted time period)
Common Questions
Beyond Recycling
Zero Organics to landfill, Local end market development, and more Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) services. Learn more about the RDKS Solid Waste Management Plan here.
