INFORMATION RELEASE

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) has launched the automated Curbside Collection program. Due to a high volume of support enquiries and requests for cart change-outs, response times may be delayed. All requests will be processed in the order they are received.

The RDOS appreciates your patience and understanding as staff continue to work diligently to manage this large-scale project rollout.

If you have contacted the Regional District regarding issues with cart delivery, damaged carts, or as a new customer, your replacement/new carts will be delivered between Monday, July 28 and Friday, August 1, 2025.

If you have confirmed with the RDOS that carts received in error will be picked up, please place them at the curb between July 28 and August 1, 2025.

The evaluation period for existing carts has passed, and no further evaluations will be conducted. Residents who had their carts assessed and approved for a one-time rebate of $35 will receive the rebate automatically on their billing. Evaluated carts that were initially rented from Waste Connections are not eligible for the rebate.

If you requested a cart change-out after June 1, 2025, the change-outs will be facilitated in August 2025, and a $45 change-out fee applies. For billing enquiries, please email billing@rdos.bc.ca  or call 250-490-4140.

Tag-a-bags
If you require extra garbage pickup, a tag-a-bag sticker can be purchased for $2.50 and attached to each extra bag of garbage.

Tag-a-bag stickers can be purchased at the following locations:

• Hedley: Country Store - 897 Scott Ave.
• Keremeos: Buy-Low Foods - 701 7th Ave.
  Village of Keremeos office - 702 4th St.
• Naramata: Naramata General Store - 219 Robinson Ave.
• Oliver: Buy-Low Foods – 105-5717 Main St.
  Town of Oliver Finance office - 6173 Kootenay St.
• Osoyoos: Osoyoos Town Hall - 8707 Main St.
• Okanagan Falls: RDOS office - 5350 9th Ave.
• Penticton: RDOS office, 101 Martin St.

 Important reminders:

• Please ensure the correct material is in the appropriate cart (garbage, recycling, yard waste).
  Any misplaced or contaminated material may result in the cart not being collected.
• As the collection trucks will be fully automated by August 1, 2025, the Regional District acknowledges that collection points may have to shift slightly to accommodate the trucks.
• Ensure there is one (1) metre space in between carts with three (3) metres of overhead clearance. Failure to cooperate may result in collection not occurring.
• Wondering what to do with your old garbage or recycling container? Consider repurposing them for storage, composting, or donating them to a neighbour or local business.
• Old containers can also be used for unlimited yard waste collection days.
• Carts are assigned to the address they are delivered to. If you move, please leave your carts behind and do not switch with others.
• Curbside calendars are currently being mailed out with billing. Calendars are also available online at rdos.bc.ca/curbside or your local municipal office.

 Instructions
Roll the carts to the curb between 5:00 and 7:00 am on the morning of your collection day, with the front of the cart facing the roadway. Make sure there is one (1) metre of space between carts and three (3) metres of clearance above. If you have not received your carts, please contact the RDOS Solid Waste Hotline via email at solidwaste@rdos.bc.ca or call 250-490-4129.

Unlimited yard waste collection dates
Unlimited yard waste collection will occur a minimum of four (4) times per year in each Electoral Area. Exact dates and details can be found in your most recent collection calendar at rdos.bc.ca/curbside. During unlimited yard waste collection events, you can use paper yard waste bags, stick bundles, or old carts in addition to your RDOS yard waste cart. Garbage will continue to be collected weekly on your regular collection day, with recycling and yard waste alternating biweekly. Paper copies of the curbside calendars will be mailed with utility bills in July 2025.

Costs
Curbside collection costs have increased as a result of the new Waste Connections contract, which came into effect July 1, 2025. Costs for curbside collection, including the cost of carts, can be found on page 18, Section 5 in the 2025 Fees and Charges bylaw under the Finance tab at rdos.bc.ca/regional-government/regional-bylaws. You can also view a summary document of the curbside collection costs available on rdosregionalconnections.ca.

Questions and information
Web: rdos.bc.ca/curbside

Solid Waste Hotline
Email: solidwaste@rdos.bc.ca 
Phone: 250-490-4129 (leave a message)

Missed collections
Contact Waste Connections via email at CSR-Penticton-Osoyoos@WasteConnections.com or call 250-490-3888.
To learn more about curbside collection, please visit the RDOS Regional Connections interactive website at rdosregionalconnections.ca.

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Mark Pendergraft, Chair
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

Contact:

RDOS Communications
250-490-4148
Toll-free 1-877-610-373