Plastic recycling bags need to be removed by hand will wrap around sorting equipment. As a result, the regional district will no longer allow them, starting in 2020. (Contributed photo)

By Lyonel Doherty

Aberdeen Publishing

As the regional district prepares to phase out the blue bag, it’s doing some serious head scratching for alternatives.

The district has a contract with RecycleBC, which pays the region for the collection of curbside recycling. RecycleBC now requires that blue bags or non-reusable clear bags used for recycling be discontinued by July of 2020. Therefore, residents will be required to place their recycling materials in reusable containers, such as carts, cans, bins or sacs.

The district recently conducted a survey to determine what option (container) that residents want to use. Options included carts and cans at an annual cost, or residents could choose to provide their own containers.

Solid waste management coordinator Cameron Baughen said 30 per cent of all customers serviced by the district responded to the survey.

“The most popular response was the residents would supply their own reusable containers,” he said.

But more than 50 per cent indicated they would like the district to supply some form of container.

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In rural Oliver and rural Osoyoos, 50 per cent indicated they wanted to supply their own.

Baughen said the district would supply free “recycle only” stickers to all residents.

He noted that staff would work with local retailers to have the option to purchase carts or bins for the lowest price possible (for residents who want the district to supply the bins).

Baughen said the survey generated a few comments. For example, several called for the return of glass collection, while others expressed concern about how shredded paper should be placed in the bins.

Some seniors do not generate much recycling, therefore they don’t want a big bin at an extra cost, Baughen said.

Carts are seen as being cleaner and create less windblown garbage.

“Carts were seen as a benefit for some as they roll, but a detriment for people with long unpaved driveways or lack of space on their property,” Baughen stated.

While the regional board continues to review the matter, it’s also reviewing the call to ban single use plastics.

The intent is to explore a valley-wide bylaw to restrict shopping bags supplied by retailers.

Baughen said while the regional district does not have the authority to ban single use plastics, municipalities can use business licences to restrict or control some practices including the use of plastic bags.

Baughen said the district would recommend public consultation before a municipality implements any ban.