Good news for gardeners. And farmers, home owners and anyone doing some outdoor spring cleaning.
The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) is temporarily extending its Saturday yard and garden waste drop-off hours at the Greater Vernon Diversion and Disposal Facility (GVDDF) for spring cleanup season.
Yard and garden waste drop-off at the GVDDF will be open for extended hours (Saturdays only) starting April 19 and ending May 24.
During this time, the area will open 30 minutes early (8 a.m.) and stay open two hours later (6 p.m.). The remainder of the facility will operate under regular Saturday summer hours (8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.).
"The RDNO is committed to providing residents with opportunities to divert waste and support the long-term sustainability of our region," said the regional district in a release issued Tuesday, April 15. "These extended hours will give residents additional time on busy Saturdays to drop off yard and garden waste."
Bulk loads of yard and garden waste hauled in tandem axle vehicles will not be accepted outside regular hours.
Yard and garden waste customers are reminded that:
• All materials must be debagged; plastic bags must not be left in the pile (Kraft paper bags can be left in the pile but must be emptied first);
• Only leaves, grass, mulch, trimmings, prunings, and other plant materials less than 20cm (approximately eight inches) in diameter are accepted;
• Yard and garden waste does not include animal feces, cardboard, logs and stumps (more than 20cm in diameter), plastic, soil, rocks, noxious weeds, fencing, fabric, netting, or other non-vegetative landscaping and gardening waste;
• Any material other than yard and garden waste will not be accepted.
Keeping yard and garden waste out of landfills is important for conserving valuable landfill capacity and for reducing methane emissions. At the GVDDF, this material is used to produce RDNO-Gro, a popular compost material used by many North Okanagan residents.
For more information on yard and garden waste drop-off and sustainable yard care tips, visit www.rdno.ca/compost.
