For Immediate Release
September 26, 2025
Help Us Keep Our Organic Waste Program Clean
The Town of Oliver’s Organic Waste Program is experiencing significant challenges, with recent audits showing that 40% of the material placed in green lid carts is contaminated with items that do not belong in compost.
The Organic Waste Program was introduced to extend the life of our landfill by diverting compostable material out of regular garbage. This is the same purpose behind similar programs used by more than 4 million people across British Columbia. When contamination occurs, it undermines the program and risks sending otherwise compostable materials back into the landfill. Currently, staff at the landfill are manually separating contaminates which is time consuming and not sustainable.
Common contaminates found in Oliver’s green lid carts include:
• Diapers
• Pet Waste and Cat Litter
• Vape Pens
• Weed Killer Containers
• Plastic and “Compostable Bags” (that contain plant-based plastics)
• Sanitary Products
• Glass
• Tin Cans
What is allowed?
• Food scraps (fruit, vegetables, cheese, bread, meat, bones, egg shells, etc.)
• Yard waste (grass clippings, leaves, flowers, pine needles and cones)
• Food Soiled Paper (napkins, paper plates, coffee filters, greasy cardboard pizza boxes (non-waxed or plastic coated))
• Natural fiber-lined bags (paper bags, cellulose lined paper bags, newspaper)
• Wood Products (wood shavings, wooden popsicle sticks, wood skewers and wood toothpicks)
Ensuring that you only include accepted items in your organics / yard waste cart ensures that collected materials can be successfully composted into nutrient-rich soil.
What is being done?
Waste Connections has contracted with Prairie Robotics to install cameras in collection trucks. These cameras use AI technology to identify contaminates by property and capture photos to document any noncompliance. Additionally, there may be inspections of carts at the curb. Please note that noncompliance fines will soon be implemented, and we encourage everyone to be mindful to avoid fines.
We need your help to get back on track. By following the Organic Waste Programs guidelines and keeping contamination out of the green lid carts, you play an important role in protecting our environment and extending the life of our landfill.
Residents are encouraged to review the Organic Waste Program at https://www.oliver.ca/solidwaste
Inquiries:
Town of Oliver
250.485.6200