Starting this May, major appliance recycling will be free at Regional District of Kootenay Boundary depots in the Boundary region. This as the RDKB has entered an agreement with the Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable stewardship program.
Solid Waste Program Coordinator Tim Dueck says the idea is that stewardship programs cover the cost of recycling, and not consumers:
“These are appliances that are described in provincial regulations as the responsibility of the Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable stewardship program, so these appliances include fridges, stoves, freezers washers, dryers….”
Dueck says there are about 20 stewardship programs like this in the province. He adds some of these appliances contain Freon, which prior to May 1st your tipping fees pay to remove.
He says this doesn’t apply to the Greater Trail Area:
“The McKelvey Creek landfill will accept appliances that do not contain Freon…. ODS material, we will accept them at no charge. Freon-containing appliances like fridges, freezers, air-conditioners, can only be taken to Tervita Metals….”
Dueck adds it’s their decision as to whether or not to charge.