The Wood Stove Exchange Program remains active in the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary following their last board meeting. The Program is sponsored by the BC Lung Association and the Ministry of Environment. It provides local government with funding to allow residents to exchange old smokey wood stoves for cleaner and more efficient wood burning, gas burning, or pellet burning appliances.
Frances Maika with the RDKB lists some steps. “You have to have an older wood burning appliance you’re willing to remove for scrap metal or recycling, you have to have a picture of your old appliance, you need to acquire a tracking form from the RDKB website or from [email protected] -you can email our Program Coordinator to get more information.”
You also have to fill out a form, provide proof of disposal, have a copy of your new appliance’s invoice and a picture if it once installed. That information can all be found here.
She says the program saw an upgrade last year. “In addition to being able to switch out a wood stove for an EPA wood stove which is a more clean-burning version, one can also receive a rebate from a wood burning appliance for a pellet, propane, gas stove, or electric heat pump.”
Maika adds there’s no tipping fees for exchange clients at RDKB landfills but you should sign your receipt. The RDKB have participated for eight years now excluding 2012 and 2014.