As the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) gears up to open its newest Transfer Station in Radium Hot Springs, staff are sharing a range of tips and tricks to make the experience at the facility a seamless one for users.

“One of the simple changes that residents can make that will have the biggest influence on the speed with which they can drop off recyclables is by implementing a sorting system for recyclables at home,” explained Kevin Paterson, RDEK General Manager of Engineering and Environmental Services.

“For so many years, we have become accustomed to the yellow bin system, where everything goes in one bin. The Recycle BC Program offers the ability to recycle over a hundred more items that you can through the Yellow Bins, but it is a good idea to set up a system at home to separate recyclables.”

The Recycle BC Depot at the Radium Transfer Station has six key areas for different recyclables:

• Paper / Cardboard;
• Containers;
• Flexible Plastics;
• Glass;
• Styrofoam – plain white;
• Styrofoam – printed.

Paterson says setting up separate bins for paper/cardboard, containers, flexible plastics, and the other items can save time and hassle at the depot.

“We have three main bins, and those bins are lined with bags.  When I get to the Recycle BC Depot, I empty the paper/cardboard bag in one bin, the containers in another bin, and the flexible plastics in a third. The other items do not accumulate as fast, so I keep them together, and it’s an easy sort when I arrive at the Transfer Station.  I save the bags and reuse them for my next trip.”

Other tips include ensuring items are properly sealed prior to loading them in the vehicle, setting up your load in a way that will help you move in an orderly fashion around the site, and ensuring you are familiar with what is accepted prior to visiting the site to avoid frustration.

Learn more about the transfer station, the Recycle BC Program, and other tips and tricks.

RDEK

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