Zero Waste Program

Welcome!

The Zero Waste Program evolved from the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan, adopted by the RDKS Board and the BC Minister of Environment in 1995.

More than Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, a zero waste approach emphasizes a closed loop system for all materials that are produced or used by our economy and lifestyle. It emphasizes designing for the environment at the manufacturing level to make sure all products can be recycled back into the economy and back into nature. For a closer look at Zero Waste, visit our Feature Articles.

For a listing of local events, check out the What's New section.

Plan Monitoring Advisory Committee (PMAC) Resources page

Zero Waste Program Priorities until 2012

Quick Facts

• over 50% of Regional Districts in BC have adopted a Zero Waste target
• the Province of BC supports zero waste through the BC Recycling Regulation, for example, Product Stewardship programs (i.e. beverage containers and TVs) require manufacturers to take responsibility for end of life costs and solutions for their products
• roughly 50% of the waste stream is organic material; the other 50% is product waste - through composting programs and recycling we can actually achieve near zero garbage but this will take time (10 to 20 years is the accepted time period)