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By Victor Kaisar

New Recycling Revenue

TNRD to get more money after inking new five-year deal with Recycle BC

Jan 13, 2025 | 3:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) will be getting more money from Recycle BC as part of a new five-year contract that took effect this year.

TNRD Manager of Solid Waste and Recycling Adriana Mailloux says using 2023 tonnage collected at the proposed new rates, the regional district is expecting to get approximately $558,000 from Recycle BC in 2025, an increase of $318,000 from the $240,000 received under the old funding model.

Mailloux says this money is meant to help the TNRD cover some of the costs incurred as it operates residential recycling collection programs either at the curb or at one of 27 Eco-Depots and Transfer Stations.

“What that means for residents is that there is a further offset to the taxation that we collect to operate our service,” Mailloux said. “There is a recognition that there is higher cost to operate smaller, rural locations and in the TNRD, we have several of those.”

“This is very welcome and exciting news for us and for residents in the region.”

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A breakdown of recycling revenue in the TNRD. (Image Credit: TNRD)

Mailloux says the new contracts were signed after the TNRD participated in a cost study analysis with Recycle BC last year, where they were able to provide feedback about the program.

“Recycle BC worked through all of the feedback from collectors and recognized that there is a higher cost to running smaller locations, and so that is reflected in these new contracts,” Mailloux added.

“That is why we see this considerable revenue increase.”

Mailloux says the projected increases in revenue have already been added to the TNRD’s five-year financial plan. She says it will help to offset some of the costs incurred by taxpayers.

“In the TNRD, people don’t get a separate taxation bill for recycling, its all just part of the main solid waste service,” Mailloux said. “Overall there are increased costs in solid waste so this helps offset that cost but people won’t see a direct reduction as a result of the increased recycling revenue.”

The current five-year contract with Recycle BC took effect on Jan. 1. It will expire on Dec. 31, 2029.

“Recycle BC is the governing agency and its their contract. We’re signed on as a collector so there is generally not much negotiation,” Mailloux said. “However, Recycle BC will seek feedback and that’s what we participated in last year and I hope we get the opportunity to do that again for the next renewal.”