A new mobile app will make it even easier for residents to stay informed about garbage and recycling programs in the region.
The Cowichan Valley Regional District is launching a curbside collection app called “Cowichan Recyclables” which residents can use to access their collection schedules and get reminders sent directly to their phones.
The app also contains a searchable list of common household waste items with information on local recycling and disposal options.
“A digital mobile app aligns with our mandate to reduce waste at the source by allowing residents to access their schedules on their phones instead of using a printed calendar,” said Tauseef Waraich, the CVRD’s manager of recycling and waste management.
“We hope the Cowichan Recyclopedia will provide a useful resource for residents to check how to recycle specific items and help our region reduce contamination in curbside recycling totes.”
Residents can ensure they never miss a collection day by downloading the CVRD curbside app from the Apple or Google play stores.
Visit cvrd.bc.ca/recycling to download the app, or call the CVRD’s recycling hotline at 250-746-2540 to learn more.
To reduce contamination levels and help educate residents on which items need to be brought to regional recycling centres, CVRD staff have been conducting curbside recycling audits in certain areas of the Cowichan region through the month of August.
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Currently, at 15 per cent, the region has one of the highest contamination rates in the province, which means the CVRD could face steep financial penalties from Recycle BC moving forward.
If curbside recycling totes were overly contaminated during August, staff were not collecting the tote materials and were leaving a sticker specifying why the tote was not emptied.