Annual programs and events

The Regional Waste Reduction Office has a number of programs throughout the year to promote less waste and a cleaner region.

Book Recycling Program

After a successful eight-month trial program, the RDCO has extended the book recycling program to help Central Okanagan residents recycle their old books. The goal is to prevent books from getting tossed into curbside recycling carts.

More information

Two ways to dispose of old books

1. Is the book damaged or outdated (older than 5 years)? Drop off for recycling at one of these locations:

    • Mission Library located in the MNP Place (Capital News Centre)
    • Rutland Library in Plaza 33
    • Downtown Kelowna Library on Ellis St
    • West Kelowna Library in Westridge Mall
    • Lake Country Library inside the Municipal Hall
    • Peachland Library in the Village Mall
    • North Westside Community Library, 516 Udell Road

 2. Is the book gently used? Donate or sell it:

    • Donate to Friends of the Library
    • Donate to local thrift shops
    • Sell on-line or host a garage sale
    • Add your book to a 'Little Free Library" which are located throughout the community. A list of locations can be found on their website: Little Free Library

 

 What kinds of books are considered outdated and should be recycled rather than donated?

  • Material in poor condition (yellowing or ripped pages, broken spines, musty smelling)
  • Textbooks
  • Encyclopedias
  • Dated information, particularly in the sciences (older than 5 years)
  • Old government publications
  • Old map books

 

What happens to the books dropped off for recycling?

Books dropped off at designated collection bins will be picked up by Planet Earth Recycling and transported back to their depot in West Kelowna.  All books will get a final sort through and good books will be removed and resold.  The rest will have the bindings cut off and the paper recycled.

 

Christmas tree chipping

If you have a real Christmas tree, don't chuck it, chip it! Simply remove all tinsel, decorations and bags used for transporting the tree, and drop it off for free chipping from December 26 through January 31 at several convenient locations.

More information

Kelowna Locations

Glenmore Landfill

2710 John Hindle Drive, Kelowna

Open Monday to Sunday: 7:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Closed December 25, 26 and January 1

Accepts 3 trees per vehicle Free, load must be tarped

Trees mixed with other yard waste are subject to fees

 

Ben Lee Park

(in parking lot at Houghton Road, Kelowna)

 

Cook Road Boat Launch

(at Cook Road and Lakeshore Drive)

 

West Kelowna Location

Westside Residential Waste Disposal and Recycling Centre

2640 Asquith Road, West Kelowna

Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday: 7:30 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.

Closed December 25 and January 1

 

Lake Country Location

Jack Seaton Park parking lot

1950 Camp Road, Lake Country

 

Community clean-up

Each April for Community Clean up month, the RDCO encourages you to get involved by doing some light spring cleaning in your own neighbourhood. We can support your cleanup by providing gloves, bags and picking up litter filled bags when you are done.

More information

April is Community Clean-up Month

Clean-up project registration form

Here's how it works:

  • Choose an area to clean, outside your home or in your neighbourhood.
  • Complete the registration form confirming how many are in your group, where you will be going and if you require pickup of your litter filled bags. 
  • Pickup your supplies from our KLO office.

See how it's done

 

Create memories, not garbage*

Celebrate the spirit of the holiday season by creating memories rather than garbage. Spend some time with family or friends, bake a cake or make other handmade goodies to drop on a friends doorstep, send a homemade card with a letter inside, take a walk around the neighbourhood to see the decorated homes, purchase long lasting gifts from a local shop offering curbside pickup.

More information

* Concept and creative for "Create memories, not garbage" courtesy of Metro Vancouver. 

Tips to help reduce waste:

  • Give experience gifts or items that last such as event tickets and family portraits, or camping gear and cast iron cookware.
  • Make your own gifts like a family recipe book, bake some goodies or make homemade jewelry.
  • Shop for second hand gifts and give something a new life. Pass along family heirlooms or your favourite book. Shop for antiques or other one-of-a-kind gifts.

For a full list of great gift giving, creative wrapping tips and create your own custom coupon for that unique experience gift visit Metro Vancouver’s Website.

Videos

Additional information:

 

 

Educational Programs

Book a free, hour-long program for your classroom. Students will learn where garbage, yard waste and recycling go in the Central Okanagan, strengthening their understanding of why it's important to dispose of waste properly. The presentation will be followed by an interactive sorting game to test what students have learned about recycling. 

 More information

Our Waste Reduction Ambassadors are available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for educational programs. To book your group please email recycle@rdco.com with the following information:

  • Your name
  • Email
  • Phone number
  • Name of school or community group
  • Group size
  • Presentation location

 

Household hazardous waste collection events

Leftover products may be considered household hazardous waste (HHW) and need to be disposed of safely. Once a year we host a HHW collection event at two transfer stations.

 More information

Special events (for residents only): 
North Westside Road Transfer Station - summer 2025, exact date TBD
Traders Cove Transfer Station - summer 2025, exact date TBD

What is household hazardous waste?

Products that contain corrosive, toxic, flammable or reactive components are considered household hazardous waste (HHW). Look for the words Danger, Warning, or Caution on the product label or these symbols to help you identify which products are hazardous.

See our Guide to Household Hazardous Waste.

Common household hazardous waste products:

  • Cleaners, degreasers, furniture polishes, rust and lime removers
  • Pesticides and fertilizers
  • Adhesives, sealants, caulking, fillers
  • Undercoats and tars
  • Pool and hot tube chemicals
  • Aerosols, such as bug repellant, paint, crack filler, insecticides

Where to dispose of HHW?

Kelowna Recycling aka Battery Doctors is our region’s year-round depot for HHW. Fees may apply.

  • 1972 Windsor Road 
  • Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 4 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
  • Phone: 250-860-2866

Safety tips for transporting HHW

HHW requires special handling and disposal. You are responsible for the products you use. Our community's health and environment are at risk.

  • Keep material in their original containers.
  • Do not mix chemicals.
  • Make sure lids are tightly attached to prevent leaks.
  • Materials in glass jars or containers are not accepted, unless they are pesticides in the original glass container.
  • Ensure products are labelled as best as possible so staff know what they are handling.
  • Pack in a sturdy box and place upright in your trunk to prevent spills. 
  • Keep items in the trunk of your car, away from children, pets or food products.
  • No empty containers (except paint cans). Containers that are empty and dry can go into your regular household garbage or recycling.

More information