ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Authority for the operations of the Thorsen Creek Waste and Recycling Centre rests with the Central Coast Regional District in Electoral Areas C, D and E (Bella Coola Valley.)

In Ocean Falls, solid waste is a function of the Ocean Falls Improvement District. Also in Electoral Area A, waste management is provided privately on Denny Island and by the Wuikinuxv Nation in Oweekeno. The Heiltsuk Nation manages the waste in the Bella Bella Community (Electoral Area B).

Thorsen Creek Waste and Recycling Centre

The management of solid waste occurs at the Thorsen Creek Waste and Recycling Centre which is located in the general vicinity of Thorsen Creek at the lower or west end of the Bella Coola Valley.

The function derives its revenue from a local tax levy, a portion of the Provincial Basic Grant received annually from the Province of B.C., user fees and an annual contribution from the Nuxalk Nation.

Serious effort has recently been put forth by a volunteer Solid Waste Coordinator, in partnership with Regional District board and staff representatives, to transition the facility from a landfill to a waste and recycling centre in the promotion of the “three Rs” - reduce, reuse, and recycle. The Regional District continues to work diligently to improve the management of solid waste and recycling within a framework of a low assessment base (which provides for low taxation revenues) and numerous other challenges.

Several initiatives are being undertaken to modify the site and improve the design of the landfill operation. The area has been properly mapped, the bear fence has been upgraded with a new charging unit to provide higher voltage, recycling bins have been purchased and research has been carried out regarding site design and building requirements for implementation of multi-material recycling. Continuing efforts are being made for the removal of the scrap metal piles.  Research topics for the future will include studying the feasability of bringing power and water to the landfill site.

With regard to the collection and storage of recyclables, used totes have been purchased, signage is being enhanced and the landfill has been officially registered as a tire deposit site, thereby providing assurance of regular pick up of tires under the provincial Product Stewardship Program. Future plans will examine options for composting of organic material, a pick-up service or authorized depot for solvents, flammables and pesticides, and the collection of newspaper, mixed paper, cardboard and hard plastic containers.

Present and future efforts will involve the packaging, transportation, processing and marketing of recyclables as well a continuing public awareness and education campaign.

Despite the many recognized challenges to be faced, not the least of which are financial constraints, the Central Coast Regional District continues to make a concerted effort to pursue any and all opportunities for funding to enable the further development and implementation of comprehensive waste reduction and recycling programs within the Bella Coola valley.

The first phase of the recycling campaign is now in effect as follows:

REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE
If you have this...	Prepare it like this...	And take it here...
Beverage Containers (nonalcoholic) *No refunds given at Thorsen Creek.	Rinse and clean, remove lids (but not labels); separate by container type at Thorsen Creek	Thunderbird, Co-op, Tallio's Gas Bar, Hagensborg Shop Easy, Bella Coola Recycling Depot, or Thorsen Creek.
Milk Containers (plastic, cartons and tetra packs)	Rinse, clean and crush; separate by container type at Thorsen Creek	Bella Coola Recycling Depot, or Thorsen Creek
Beverage Containers (alcoholic). No refunds given at Thorsen Creek.	Rinse	Liquor Store, Bella Coola Recycling Depot, or Thorsen Creek
Plastic Bags	Clean - no food residue	Co-op or Thorsen Creek
Tin Cans	Rinse - no food residue, remove labels & bottom and crush	Thorsen Creek
Glass Bottles & Jars (Non-beverage)	Rinse - no food residue, remove labels, recycle lids with tin cans	Thorsen Creek
Household Batteries (From flashlights etc.)	NO damaged or leaking batteries. NO car batteries at Thorsen Creek	Thorsen Creek
Paint		Bella Coola Recycling Depot
Tires(All sizes)	As is. Separate at Thorsen Creek	Thorsen Creek or return to place of purchase
Scrap Metal	As is.	Separate pile at Thorsen Creek
Unused Medication	As is.	Alexander Mackenzie Pharmacy
Used Oil	Uncontaminated.	Return to place of purchase
Car Batteries	No damaged or leaking	Bella Coola Recycling Depot or return to place of purchase.
E-Waste (Computer and television parts)	NO smashed computer or TV screens. Accepted are desktop & laptop computers, all computer components including cables, printers, mice, keyboards etc.	Bella Coola Recycling Depot or Thorsen Creek
Used Printer Cartridges		The Source in Bella Coola town site
There is currently no recycling of newspaper, mixed paper, cardboard or hard plastic containers at Thorsen Creek or at Bella Coola Recycling Depot.

The Thorsen Creek Waste and Recycling Centre is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8:30am until 5:30pm. User fees apply to the disposal of certain items. Contact the Central Coast Regional District for details and further information.