Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Ashley Legassic

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

TNRD, Recycle BC asking residents to stop recycling hazardous materials

Aug 2, 2019 | 3:59 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Thompson-Nicola Regional District and Recycle BC are sounding the alarm over a spike in explosive and hazardous materials being placed in recycle bins.

In a news release, the TNRD says B.C.’s major recycling collectors and processors have seen seven fires in 2019, with several of them having endangered lives.

“Hazardous materials present a very real danger for workers in BC’s recycling industry. They can cause explosions and fires, and most of these incidents are caused by residents placing items such as lithium-ion batteries and propane or butane canisters into the residential recycling,” said Recycle BC spokesperson David Lefebvre. “Earlier this month a resident put 58 rounds of live ammunition into their recycling. We need people to think before they put something that is potentially explosive and deadly into a recycling bin.”

Recycle BC audits of materials in 2019 found two thirds of container loads had hazardous materials present, a 47 per cent increase over the last five years.

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Some of the hazardous materials include butane and propane canisters, batteries, compressed gases, ammunition, knives, sharps and bear spray.