By Dominic Abassi

RDN launches campaign to fight illegal dumping

May 20, 2017 | 1:25 PM

NANAIMO — The far too common practice of illegal dumping is not only tarnishing the pristine woods surrounding Nanaimo, it’s costing taxpayers money.

In an effort to fight the long-standing issue, the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) has launched a social media campaign intended to raise awareness, educate and help better monitor illegal dumping hot spots.

According to the RDN, they spend $30,000 every year dealing with trash where it doesn’t belong. Last year more than 35 tonnes of illegally dumped material was recovered.

Meghan Larson, the RDN’s solid waste planner, said the goal is to encourage people to post online anything they’re seeing while out in the backcountry. She said the RDN is happy to work with groups organizing cleanup efforts. That could include waving tipping fees at the dump, help with equipment and assistance from timber companies, who often own the land.

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“Advance notice is very important, so we do ask for at least a week,” Larson said. “The more notice you can give us the more help we can provide in assisting with a bigger area or an ongoing cleanup.”

She said they see everything from old fridges tossed in the bush to piles of yard waste, which can often help the spread of invasive species. A large part of the campaign is educating people of the various places available to dispose, recycle or donate unwanted junk, often for free. “We do really want to drive home there is a proper place for all of your waste and generally out in the forest isn’t it.”

Larson was hesitant to divulge some of the more high-traffic dump sites, an effort to avoid advertising for people who refuse to follow the rules. She said groups have done a great job addressing issue in the Doumont Rd. and Barsby Lake areas.

If you see someone illegally dumping, call the Provincial Report All Poachers and Polluters line at 1-877-952-7277, or #7277 from cellphones.

The RDN also has a search feature on their website to find out the closest location to get rid of everything from yard waste to an old couch.

dominic.abassi@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @domabassi