Thompson-Nicola Regional District cancels landfill free disposal days for 2020

Thompson-Nicola residents who have been waiting for a deal on their next dump run will now have to wait until next year.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District’s solid waste free disposal days occur annually in April and May. However, due to COVID-19 they were postponed indefinitely. 

In light of the uncertainty around the length of time provincial gathering size restrictions will be in effect, the Regional District has cancelled all Free Disposal Days for 2020, according to a release.

The TNRD Solid Waste Committee also recommended cancellation due to the loss in revenue incurred during the first ten weeks of the pandemic.

The Regional District waived fees for residential bagged garbage to protect workers and residents in the height of the pandemic, resulting in approximately $50,000 in lost revenue.

According to the Committee's report to the board, loss in revenue from free disposal days ranges from $45,000 to $60,000 per year.

The Solid Waste Committee will review options for free disposal days in 2021 and make a recommendation to the Regional District Board.

Household Hazardous Waste round-up events will continue as planned this fall. Thompson-Nicola residents can safely dispose of materials not accepted at solid waste facilities such as unlabeled pesticides, cleaning solutions, and unknown material not in original containers.

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