While the City of Campbell River is pleased with how much waste was removed during their annual watershed clean-up went last week, they wish there was less they would have to remove in the first place.
The annual Campbell River watershed clean-up is held each year at the end of September, and more than 52,000 kg – or 52 metric tonnes – of refuse was removed from the watershed during this year’s event.
“It’s tempting to take the source of Campbell River’s drinking water for granted because it is so vast, and, as long as we protect it, safe, healthy and abundantly available,” said Nathalie Viau, the city’s water supervisor. “We must remember, though that it is truly extraordinary to have such an array of streams, lakes, ponds and rivers that provide such a pristine source of water – one that does not have to be filtered but only disinfected before we use it. To keep our watershed healthy, we must keep it safe from contaminants, and garbage can have a direct impact on the community’s drinking water quality.”
Amber Zirnhelt, community planning and development services manager for the City of Campbell River, says residents should be proactive in their disposal habits in order to reduce the amount of waste in our natural environment.
The annual watershed cleanup is great, but it would be even better if it wasn’t necessary.
“There are many ways to responsibly dispose of unwanted items,” Zirnhelt says. “We encourage residents to reduce, re-use and recycle as much as possible and also compost and use the yard waste collection or drop-off centre. As a last resort with worn out or used up items, please put trash in its proper place.”
The city is reminding Campbell River residents who receive curbside garbage, yard waste and recycling collection that they can place unlimited amounts of recycling at the curbside as long as it is in bins that do not exceed 68 L or 44 lbs.
For larger items, visit campbellriverrecycles.ca for a directory of recycling locations in Campbell River.
Residents are also reminded that recycling facilities at Strathcona Gardens and the Sportsplex accept cardboard, plastic, and aluminum tins, and the Island Return It Centre on Willow Street accepts a wide variety of items for recycling including small electronics, styrofoam, soft plastics and glass.
The Campbell River Waste Management Centre at 6700 Argonaut Road is also open seven days per week from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and accepts garbage, recycling, yard waste, construction and demolition debris, and household hazardous waste.