Mark Pendergraft, the chair of the board with the RDOS, shows a compost container. (Photo supplied)
Working with a series of business and municipal partners, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) invites residents to pre-purchase compost bins and attend free workshops on composting and rainwater harvesting.
Residents could pre-purchase compost bins from participating locations from March 1 to 23. Residents can then collect the bins they purchased starting April 22, Earth Day.
The FreeGarden Earth Compost Bin will be sold for $44 plus taxes. An attractively curved black container, the bins help break down garden waste, leaves, uncooked fruits and vegetables. It is a great system for creating valuable compost.
The Green Cone, capable of breaking down cooked food waste and meat, will be sold for $105.15 plus taxes.
This system is buried partially in the ground where it breaks down waste directly in the soil. Every few years the leftover slurry is removed and buried in a different section of your property. The Green Cone is not used to break down yard waste so it is a great compliment to an existing compost bin.
In Penticton, residents can pre-purchase compost bins at six different businesses. Participating vendors are Canadian Tire, GardenWorks (formerly Art Knapp’s), Giardino Nursery, Home Hardware Penticton, RONA and Whole Foods Market.
In Oliver, Canadian Tire, Pacific Silica, Riverside Garden Center and the Oliver Landfill will be pre-selling the two types of bins.
The Summerland Municipal Hall, Osoyoos Sonora Community Centre and Village of Keremeos Municipal Office are also pre-selling compost bins.
Collection for all bins purchased will start Earth Day, which falls on Wednesday, April 22.
Throughout the spring, the RDOS will be hosting free composting, rain harvesting and wildlife workshops at various locations
The workshop theme is Easy and Sustainable Backyards.
Zoe Kirk, WildSafeBC and RDOS Water Conservation Steward, will be leading workshops on using rainwater instead of trying to get rid of it. As well, she will be speaking to common wildlife issues such as problem deer and being bear smart.
“Last year we heard from home owners that they wanted a broader range of option for using rain water and more information on dealing with pesky wildlife in their backyards,” describes Kirk. “The more you look at your backyard you see how composting, rain water run-off and understanding wildlife are connected. Making easy choices can save you money and make your backyard more sustainable.”
For more information, contact the RDOS Solid Waste Division at 250-490-4129, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.rdos.bc.ca.
For further information, please contact Cameron Baughen, Solid Waste Management Coordinator, at 250-490-4203 or [email protected] or Zoe Kirk, Wildsafe BC and Water Conservation Coordinator at 250-490-4110 or [email protected].
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Osoyoos Times
