Thompson-Nicola Regional District will hold a free disposal day on Saturday, April 23 at the Clearwater eco-depot, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Also on April 23 there will be a free disposal day at the Little Fort transfer station, 12 noon – 4 p.m.
The following day, Sunday, April 24, there will be free disposal days at the Blue River eco-depot, 12 noon – 4 p.m., and at the Vavenby transfer station, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The free disposal days in the upper North Thompson Valley were several of more than two dozen approved by the TNRD board of directors during a meeting held Feb. 18.
During a free disposal day, residents can bring in one free load per household to their local eco-depot or transfer station. One load is defined as one eight-foot pickup truck box or one eight-foot trailer.
Previously, the maximum load limit for free disposal days was $20. However, this created additional work for attendants plus some users thought they could bring in as much as they wanted for $20.
Last year the rules were simplified so that only one load per household will be allowed at no charge, with one load being defined as a reasonably loaded pickup or utility trailer.
No business or commercial loads will be accepted as free.
Free disposal days are a good opportunity to get rid of items such as cooling appliances, tires on rims, mattresses, furniture, demolition/construction waste, wood waste, roofing shingles and household garbage.
Dispose of hazardous waste during April
The TNRD board also approved a household hazardous waste (HHW) roundup for the month of April, to be held at the Clearwater eco-depot and Heffley Creek, as well several other locations outside the North Thompson Valley.
Hazardous waste is material that is labelled corrosive, poisonous, ignitable or toxic. Examples include adhesives, paint thinners, chemicals, cleaners, mercury, antifreeze, herbicides, pesticides, paint, oils and gasoline
These materials should never be put in the garbage.
However, the majority can be disposed of year-round at all TNRD eco-depots as they are accepted through extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs.
As with the free disposal day, business and commercial waste will not be included in the HHR roundup.