Wood waste, tires, electronic waste, furniture, appliances, metal and household garbage were among the party favours collected during the 10th annual Backroad Trash Bash in Pender Harbour and Egmont Sept. 16.
Community volunteers hauled in 4,830 kilograms of illegally dumped waste in the Sunshine Coast Regional District-organized event. Thirty nine volunteers cleaned 23 sites ranging from Middle Point in Pender Harbour all the way to Egmont.
Illegally dumped trash has been an ongoing issue throughout the Coast, and the event moves to different electoral areas each year – last year cleaning up the trails of Elphinstone.
Recently, a number of backroads dumping and burnings have been reported in Roberts Creek.
A broad range of volunteers, community members, as well as representatives from the Sunshine Coast Off-Road Club, AJM Disposal, BC Natural Resources Office, BC Conservation Service, Salish Soils and the SCRD participated, said an SCRD press release.
The SCRD thanked Pender Harbour Hikers and Pender Harbour Lions Park for helping to set up the event, as well as Don White for donating heavy machinery, and to the sponsors of the event including RONA Madeira Park Store, IGA Madeira Park, and Kleindale Supply LTD for donating supplies.
“We are thrilled with the excellent turn out and community spirit at this year’s event and are grateful for everyone’s hard work cleaning up the illegal dump sites,” said Andrea Patrao, SCRD Solid Waste Programs Coordinator the a press release. “It is events like this that help create cleaner, safer, healthier, and more vibrant communities for our residents and businesses.”
Anyone who sees garbage being illegally dumped is encouraged to report it to the Conservation Officer Report all Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line 1-877-952-7277 or online.
Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
