New wildlife-proof recycling and garbage receptacles have been installed at 16 Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) recreation sites.
The units cost between $1,600 and $2,300 each, according to SCRD communication officer Cecelia Garcia. They offer visitors to public spaces separated bins where they can responsibly deposit food waste, beverage containers and garbage.
The new installations are located at SCRD community halls including Frank West, Coopers Green, Eric Cardinall and Granthams, as well as Chaster House. The bins have also been placed at the SCRD’s Cliff Gilker, Dan Bosch, Shirley Macey, McNair, Whispering Firs, and Connor Parks. In addition, the Roberts Creek Pier, Ocean Beach Esplanade, Katherine Lake Campground and Cedar Meadows have the new installations.
Managing waste and recycling deposits
In a March 5 email to Coast Reporter, Garcia noted that the bins will be checked two to four times per week by SCRD staff, with the frequency determined by the location and the time of year. SCRD staff will not be monitoring the volume of materials deposited to measure the effectiveness of having public recycling facilities available at these locations “as it would require extra dedicated resources” according to the email.
“Parks has installed restrictor plates on the new garbage receptacles to help reduce incidences of household garbage being deposited,” Garcia wrote. She explained that “if there is obvious and sufficient evidence that could link dumping of garbage in a park to a person/persons, then we would be requesting our bylaw staff to follow up."
Garcia indicated that there are no additional funds in the 2024 budget for the placement of these types of bins at other SCRD locations. A March 5 press release from the regional district stated, “SCRD park visitors are asked to “leave no trace” and not throw food waste in the garbage bins or on the ground. "Natural" food items will not decompose quickly.
“When visiting SCRD parks and trails that do not have bear-proof food waste containers, the SCRD asks that visitors pack out food waste.”
