Regional district examines limiting garbage to one bag

PENTICTON – More bylaw enforcement teeth and limiting homes to only one garbage bag on the curb could generate some heat in the regional district board room tomorrow.

At previous meetings Director Tom Siddon of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen complained bylaw enforcement didn't have enough muscle or lacked clear direction.

Tomorrow's discussion will seek to further streamline a policy that relies on residents reporting infractions and people to voluntarily obey the rules.

The new enforcement policy might come in handy if the regional district moves to a one-bag limit for curbside garbage.

The current service allows for two containers of garbage on the curb for pick-up even though a 2010 survey found 75 to 80 per cent put out one bag or less per week.

By switching to one bag only there will be less waste headed to a landfill, increased recycling and more yard waste kept out of the garbage.

The public portion of Thursday's board meeting starts at 3 p.m. at the regional district office on Martin Street.

To contact a reporter for this story, to send photos or videos, email Shannon Quesnel at squesnel@infotelnews.ca, call 250-488-3065, send tweets to @shannonquesnel1 or @InfoNewsPentict.