For any residents concerned with the problem of illegal dumping, a search of the RDCK website will pull up several suggestions. The one presented below is perhaps the clearest:
Q: What do I do if I see someone dumping household waste illegally?
Illegal dumping is a serious offense that affects all of us. When people opt to toss their waste into the bush or other undesirable locations they are trashing your backyard. We all have a responsibility to look after and maintain our environment and we should all take this responsibility seriously.
It is important to include as many details as possible if you are going to make a report regarding an illegal dumping situation. To report illegal dumping at an RDCK landfill or transfer station CALL: 1-800-268-RDCK (7325) or e-mail wastedept@rdck.bc.ca.
If you observe someone littering, dumping household waste, yard & garden waste or other loads of refuse, here are some tips:
- Record the date, time, location and weather conditions
- Identify the violator(s) and companions or an accurate description of them
- Record the vehicle license number and description
- If you have a camera, take pictures of the evidence at the scene without alarming the violator(s)
- Call the Ministry of Environment to report littering, illegal dump sites, burn barrels, unauthorized use of a dumpster or dumping chemicals, pesticides, used automotive fluids and other pollutants. Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) 1-877-952-7277 https://forms.gov.bc.ca/environment/rapp/
The Regional District of Central Kootenay requests that you dispose of your household garbage and yard waste in a responsible manner. Illegal dumping is a serious problem that affects all taxpayers in the region. Illegal dumping can attract wildlife, create health and safety hazards and increase the risk of fire.
The RDCK website can be accessed at
http://www.rdck.ca/EN/index.html
The Regional District of Nanaimo website includes some further information about the hazards of illegal dumping:
“Although it represents only .0002% of the total solid waste generated in the [Nanaimo] region, illegally dumped material can have serious effects on the environment, wildlife habitat and the ability of others to use and enjoy outdoor recreational areas.
Illegal dumping is an ugly blight on our landscape with many unseen impacts. Harmful chemicals are produced as rainfall percolates through garbage, potentially damaging ground and surface water and fish habitat. Wildlife can be injured, poisoned, maimed or killed as a result of foraging through garbage looking for food. Bears can develop a taste for human discards and become a nuisance, which can result in them being killed when they start foraging in people’s yards looking for garbage.
By dumping illegally, violators create a problem that costs everyone in the region….Yard waste is still a ‘waste’. Disposing of yard and garden waste other than at an approved facility is still illegal dumping. Waste attracts other waste and illegal dumping encourages other similar activity.”
