Garbage

A bear and cubs got into some garbage in Oyama, near the Okanagan Rail Trail Sept. 1. (Bryn White photo)

Lake Country petitions to be bear smart

‘Our community is facing considerable safety issues at our local school bus stops, roads and streets, and our backyards’

 

The new 240-litre sized trash cans in Vernon for automated pick-up have been getting mixed reviews to the point Vernon council voted unanimously Tuesday, Sept. 7, to purchase smaller bins which residents can request. (Contributed)

Vernon to purchase smaller garbage bins, available upon request

City’s new automated program uses 240-litre size bins, which some residents say are much too big; city to buy 120-litre size bins

 

The new trash cans in Vernon aren't getting very good reviews from residents who say they are too big. (Contributed)

New garbage cans trashed by Vernon residents

Waste collection bins too big for many households, particularly seniors’

 

Four selected areas of Vernon – three of which are under evacuation alerts – may temporarily use their newly delivered City of Vernon waste disposal cans to fill three-quarters of the way full with water to help with wildfires. (City of Vernon photo)

City of Vernon trash cans to be used as water buckets in select areas

Four areas of OK Landing - including three on evac alert - may use newly delivered bins for filling with water to help with fires

Four selected areas of Vernon – three of which are under evacuation alerts – may temporarily use their newly delivered City of Vernon waste disposal cans to fill three-quarters of the way full with water to help with wildfires. (City of Vernon photo)
A bear snacks on garbage in Lake Country Sunday, July 18, prompting reminders to keep your garbage locked up so fed bears don't become dead bears. (Bob Vinek photo)

Bear snacks on garbage in Lake Country

Residents reminded that leaving garbage out can lead to a $230 fine

A bear snacks on garbage in Lake Country Sunday, July 18, prompting reminders to keep your garbage locked up so fed bears don't become dead bears. (Bob Vinek photo)
North Westside residents can dispose of their unwanted bulky items between June 30 and July 14, 2021. (File photo)

North Westside residents can soon get rid of unwanted bulky items

Large household items can be disposed of at North Westside Transfer Station June 30 to July 14

North Westside residents can dispose of their unwanted bulky items between June 30 and July 14, 2021. (File photo)
COVID-related trash is washing up on shorelines across the world, including Coldstream’s Kal Beach, as pictured in this May 2021 photograph. (Jennifer Smith - Black Press)

Shoreline cleanup finds COVID-related trash increased during height of the pandemic

Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup reports litter from single-use food packaging nearly doubled

COVID-related trash is washing up on shorelines across the world, including Coldstream’s Kal Beach, as pictured in this May 2021 photograph. (Jennifer Smith - Black Press)
The Sicamous United Church Thrift Shop’s drop off area is frequently left in disarray, with items dropped off after hours that end up being taken to the landfill – at the church’s cost. (Contributed)

Volunteers frustrated with Sicamous thrift shop being used as a dump

United Church board chair said issue has been going on for more than a decade

The Sicamous United Church Thrift Shop’s drop off area is frequently left in disarray, with items dropped off after hours that end up being taken to the landfill – at the church’s cost. (Contributed)
Carr’s Landing Friends of Gable Beach Clean-up Crew, Noreen, Chris, Doug, Iris, Chris, Julie and Cara found fewer trash items this year than in year’s past. (Contributed)

COVID-19 blessing: less trash littering Lake Country beach

Gable Beach clean-up crew collects only one bag of trash, compared to 12 in past

Carr’s Landing Friends of Gable Beach Clean-up Crew, Noreen, Chris, Doug, Iris, Chris, Julie and Cara found fewer trash items this year than in year’s past. (Contributed)
Empty bottles litter Kal Beach in early May 2021. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Trucks with loose litter trashing Vernon roads

City looks at costly cleanup program, and alternatives

Empty bottles litter Kal Beach in early May 2021. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
A bear was spotted wandering around Van Kleeck in Armstrong Monday evening. (Lance Skoreyko photo)

No bears euthanized yet, despite increased North Okanagan sightings

Residents reminded to lock up garbage so bears don’t have to be put down

A bear was spotted wandering around Van Kleeck in Armstrong Monday evening. (Lance Skoreyko photo)
A discarded couch lies in the bush beside Bulman Road. (Contributed)

Illegal dumpers should ‘grow up,’ says Kelowna woman who found couch on roadside

Bulman Road resident spotted couch, used toilet paper and a plethora of other litter along the road

A discarded couch lies in the bush beside Bulman Road. (Contributed)
Enderby’s annual Clean-Up Challenge will use a self-guided format this year in keeping with COVID-19 public health guidelines. The challenge will take place Saturday, May 29, 2021. (File photo)

Enderby clean-up challenge back with pandemic-friendly format

This year’s self-guided Clean-Up Challenge to beautify the city will take place Saturday, May 29

Enderby’s annual Clean-Up Challenge will use a self-guided format this year in keeping with COVID-19 public health guidelines. The challenge will take place Saturday, May 29, 2021. (File photo)
A crew of WestCoast WILD Adventures employees tackled an onslaught of litter left at the ‘Locks of Love’ fence at Wally Creek on May 2. (Anne-Marie Gosselin photo)

Litter woes consume popular ‘Locks of Love’ fence on B.C.’s Pacific Rim

Popular view spot near Tofino plagued by people hanging masks and other unwanted garbage

A crew of WestCoast WILD Adventures employees tackled an onslaught of litter left at the ‘Locks of Love’ fence at Wally Creek on May 2. (Anne-Marie Gosselin photo)
Similar to those coming to Armstrong residents in May, Vernon is getting garbage carts this August. (Brooke Hovey photo)

New garbage carts could carry future composting in Vernon

City rolling out automated collection bins this August, which could lead to organic bins too

Similar to those coming to Armstrong residents in May, Vernon is getting garbage carts this August. (Brooke Hovey photo)
The Okanagan Forest Task Force hauled an abandoned derelict car out of the Noble Canyon area Friday, April 23, 2021. (OFTF photo)

Okanagan Forest Task Force hauls car-cass out of Noble Canyon

The OFTF pulled a derelict vehicle out of the Lavington area Friday

The Okanagan Forest Task Force hauled an abandoned derelict car out of the Noble Canyon area Friday, April 23, 2021. (OFTF photo)
Fifty-one improperly discarded needles were picked up from Vernon streets in four months as part of the Folks on Spokes program. (File)

85% fewer needles found around Vernon

Folks on Spokes numbers showing fewer improperly discarded sharps

Fifty-one improperly discarded needles were picked up from Vernon streets in four months as part of the Folks on Spokes program. (File)
City of Armstrong community services manager and chief bylaw officer Warren Smith stands with the new food waste bin and garbage cart to be delivered to eligible residents later this month. (Brooke Hovey photo)

Armstrong changes waste collection system

Residents to be given new bins as part of the new system which goes into effect May 1

City of Armstrong community services manager and chief bylaw officer Warren Smith stands with the new food waste bin and garbage cart to be delivered to eligible residents later this month. (Brooke Hovey photo)
Four members with Divers for Cleaner Lakes and Oceans were out at Cultus Lake on March 28 and 29 hauling trash out of the waters. (Henry Wang)

PHOTOS: Out-of-town divers remove 100s of pounds of trash from Cultus Lake

Members of Divers for Cleaner Lakes and Oceans hauled out 470 pounds of trash over two days

Four members with Divers for Cleaner Lakes and Oceans were out at Cultus Lake on March 28 and 29 hauling trash out of the waters. (Henry Wang)
An SUV was trashed on the Westside, past the transfer station over the Easter long weekend. (Daryl Robertson photo)

Vehicles trashed on Westside amid annual cleanup

Residents tiring of pickup up after others

An SUV was trashed on the Westside, past the transfer station over the Easter long weekend. (Daryl Robertson photo)