The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George board of directors unanimously approved a 3.5 per cent increase to tipping fees at the Foothills Boulevard Regional Landfill on Thursday.
The increase, slated to come into affect on Jan. 1, will increase the basic tipping rate from $82 per tonne to $85 per tonne. A minimum $6 fee for loads up to 100 kilograms will remain in affect.
The 3.5 per cent increase will also be applied to the fees for dumping controlled waste. The landfill will continue to accept recyclable materials including paper, corrugated cardboard, scrap metal, yard waste, used oil, light vehicle tires and propane tanks for free.
The board also approved changes to the landfill's hours of operation, which will come into effect on July 1, 2018.
As of next July, the landfill will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Currently the landfill is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays from April 1 to Oct. 31.
During the winter months the landfill is currently open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In addition, after July 1, the landfill will be closed on New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Canada Day, B.C. Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Currently the landfill only closes on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
The regional district's tipping fee surcharge for commercial loads containing cardboard will also increase, starting on Jan. 1.
Currently commercial loads containing 25 per cent or more of cardboard face an additional 50 per cent surcharge. As of Jan. 1, commercial loads containing 10 per cent or more cardboard will pay a 100 per cent surcharge on tipping fees.
The program has reduced the amount of cardboard ending up in the landfill, a statement released by the regional district said.
Since July 1, only 22 of 2809 commercial and industrial loads dumped at the landfill were charged the surcharge.
“When it comes to getting rid of cardboard, we want to encourage the business community to look at other options for disposal,” district waste diversion manager Laura Zapotichny said in a press release. “Businesses can arrange to rent cardboard bins and have their cardboard taken to a recycler."
