WEST KELOWNA – Starting April 1, it will cost you to dispose of yard waste at the Westside Residential Waste Disposal Center on Asquith Road in West Kelowna.

The new volume-based user fees for yard waste have been approved by the Regional District Board and only affect the Westside facility serving residents in West Kelowna, Peachland, Westbank First Nation and the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area.

The new yard waste tip fee charge does not apply to the Glenmore landfill in Kelowna or the two transfer stations used by residents along Westside Road.

As of April 1, a bag of yard waste will have a $1 fee, a 4’ x 8’ vehicle/utility trailer will be charged $5, a larger hauling bed vehicle/trailer will be charged $15 while a vehicle with a tandem axle trailer with yard waste will be charged $20. (Residents can dispose of up to 250 kg of yard waste free of charge until March 31st.)

Regional District Environmental Services Manager Peter Rotheisler says the introduction of a fee for yard waste disposal reflects the increasing cost of managing yard waste at this facility.

“The increase is needed to offset budget shortfalls associated with higher than anticipated transportation and disposal charges for rising volumes of yard waste at the Westside facility. This new user-pay model may provide incentive for residents to self- manage their green waste as efficiently as possible: including home composting, grass-cycling, chipping and mulching, or upsizing or applying for additional yard waste carts.”

The volume-based changes will also apply to garbage disposed at the Westside Transfer Station. As of April 1st, a bag of garbage will have a fee of $2.50, a 4’ x 8’ vehicle/utility trailer will be charged $10, a larger hauling bed vehicle/trailer will be charged $30.00, and an extra-large tandem axle trailer $50.00.

For more information on the Westside facility tipping fee increases, visit regionaldistrict.com/recycle, or contact the Regional Waste Reduction Office, at 250-469-6250.