When it comes to the amount of waste and recycling being disposed of, the next two weeks are the busiest of the year at area landfills, transfer stations and recycling depots.

Please take note that while the contractors will be doing their best to keep up, if everyone tries to drop off garbage or recycle on December 26th, bins will fill faster than they can be serviced. Please try to space out your visits to our facilities and have patience. If you arrive and bins are full, please take your materials with you and plan to come back another day.

“While Sparwood and Elkford Transfer Stations are closed on all Sundays (Fernie is open daily), for the rest of our facilities Christmas and New Year’s Day are two of only five days out of the entire year that they are closed,” says Regional District of East Kootenay Communications Manager Loree Duczek. “Over the holidays, it can be extremely busy. While our contractors and staff work incredibly hard to keep up with the volume, it is really important for the public to know the hours of their nearest facility and to plan ahead.”

The RDEK has posted its holiday hours on its website, in local media and on its social pages and is encouraging residents to print out a list of the holiday hours in advance to help avoid frustration.

“While our rural transfer stations are open year-round, there will be no hauling or servicing of the rural transfer stations on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day,” adds Duczek. “Regardless of whether you use a rural or municipal facility, please consider spreading out your visits and if you encounter a full bin, hang on to your materials and come back another day. Waste and recycling should never be dumped on the ground at our sites.”

In addition, the RDEK’s Cranbrook and Columbia Valley Offices will be closed the week of December 26-30 and will re-open on Tuesday, January 3 at 8:30am.

For a full list of holiday hours, visit: www.rdek.bc.ca.