Updated - 2:45pm Aug. 15
Disposal of drywall at Sechelt landfill is being suspended from Aug. 16 to 27 for “operational reasons," a Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) press release dated Aug. 15 announced.
Drywall that meets SCRD disposal criteria will continue to be accepted at the Pender Harbour waste transfer station, located off Garden Bay Road, in Area A (Pender Harbour/Egmont) during that period.
According to an email received by Coast Reporter from SCRD staff, temporary traffic pattern changes at the Sechelt landfill has resulted in staff is being redeployed at that site.
"Collecting drywall is one of the most labour-intensive activities done a the landfill due to the level of attention that is required to ensure it is meeting all of our regulations. Staff are required to look for date stamps and inspect each piece to ensure it is consistent with the rest of the load – all of which must be done in a manner that is safe as there is always a concern that asbestos could be present in such situations. Temporarily suspending drywall collection will allow us to free up staff resources to help with the change in traffic control to ensure safety at the site," the SCRD communications department wrote.
The suspension of the service is not related to increased volumes of material being received at that site. The drywall that is collected is shipped to a facility on the B.C. Lower Mainland when capacity is reached. Staff estimated that is done once or twice a month.
The release states that the SCRD understands the suspension "causes an inconvenience to both business and residential customers of the site and appreciates their understanding at this time."
