The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) is continuing to support community clean-up events of illegal dumpsites throughout the region by offering to waive tipping fees when taking the waste to RDOS landfills. Illegal dumping poses many health, safety, environmental, and economic threats such as increased risk of wildfire, contamination of water and soil, decline in property values, and injury to people around dump sites. 

A recent cleanup project was initiated by the Okanagan Forest Task Force, a local non-profit organization made up of volunteers who remove garbage dumped in the backcountry. The group recently identified an illegal dump site located on Commercial Road in Electoral Area “D” (Okanagan Falls), as an unusually large problem area consisting of RVs, household garbage, burnt vehicles, metal, and other material. 

“It’s impressive to see the work being done by volunteers to protect our natural environment,” said Mark Pendergraft, RDOS Chair. “These cleanup events are important reminders to everyone to respect the backcountry and dispose of garbage and other materials at local landfills.” 

The Okanagan Forest Task Force has organized a cleanup day on Saturday, May 25, 2024. The event is anticipated to result in the group reaching a milestone of 1,000,000 pounds or more than 453,000 kilograms of garbage and recyclable material removed from forests in the region. The RDOS is supporting this initiative by waiving all tipping fees at the Okanagan Falls and Campbell Mountain landfills for this cleanup event. Some Okanagan Falls Landfill staff are volunteering to help with the cleanup. 

Community groups interested in organizing a cleanup of illegal dump sites are asked to contact the RDOS Solid Waste department in advance to ensure proper procedures are followed. The Regional District encourages and supports community cleanups, where possible by offering to waive tipping fees when taking the waste to RDOS landfills. You can download the Illegal Dumping Tipping Fee Waiver form and get more information on the RDOS website at https://www.rdos.bc.ca/solid-waste/illegal-dumping. 

If you witness or are aware of a natural resource violation, including illegal dumping, contact the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1-877-952-(RAPP) 7277, fill out a report online, or download the B.C. Wildlife Federation Conservation App. 

For further information, please contact Joni Reimer, RDOS Waste Reduction Coordinator. 

-30- 

Mark Pendergraft, Chair
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen 

Contact: 

Joni Reimer
RDOS Waste Reduction Coordinator
250-490-4144 

RDOS Communications
250-490-4148
Toll-Free 1-877-610-3737

Illegal dump site, Commercial Road, Electoral Area “D”
May 13, 2024