What is illegal dumping?
Illegal dumping takes many forms: dumping yard waste in a nearby ditch, abandoning a vehicle, camping or bush party leftovers, or dumping household or construction waste in the forest. In every case, something is being placed where it doesn't belong.
Fines for illegal dumping are outlined in the Ticket Information and Utilization | Bylaw No. 1537.
Report illegal dumping
RDCO Electoral Areas or Crown land
- Online through our service request system
- Contact the Waste Reduction office at 250-469-6250 or email
- Use the "report a problem" function in your Recycle Coach app
Within municipalities or on private property
- City of Kelowna: 250-469-8500
- City of West Kelowna: 778-797-2225
- District of Lake Country: 250-766-5650
- District of Peachland: 250-767-2647
Negative effects of illegal dumping
- Environmental damage: illegal dumping of hazardous wastes contaminates soil and water. Animals can get ill from dumped materials or tangled in debris.
- Health risks: decaying garbage attracts animals that may carry diseases and people may be exposed to dangerous substances if garbage is dumped in a public area.
- Fire risks: dumped yard waste, broken glass and hazardous waste increases the risk of forest fires.
- Encourages more dumping: even small amounts of dumped garbage encourages more people to dump.
- Increased costs: addressing abandoned garbage costs money and resources, which is passed onto taxpayers.