FAQs
What is a solid waste management plan?
In British Columbia, regional districts are responsible for preparing and submitting a Solid Waste Management Plan under the BC Environmental Management Act. This plan reflects a long-term vision for how each regional district manages its solid waste, including how we plan to reduce waste in our community.
Solid waste includes recyclables, compostable materials and garbage from homes, businesses, institutions, construction and demolition sites.
Who is responsible for managing solid waste in the region?
Solid waste services on the Sunshine Coast can be hard to navigate because local governments are responsible for many different services. Each community has unique solid waste services. Communities that have curbside collection (garbage, food waste and/or recycling) pay additional user fees depending on the services they receive.
What kind of environmental monitoring occurs at the landfill?
The active Sechelt Landfill is monitored by the SCRD through a robust environmental program, which includes surface and groundwater testing, and landfill gas monitoring. Learn more about that program here.
What happens when the Sechelt Landfill is full?
The SCRD anticipates the Sechelt Landfill will reach capacity by around 2030.
Since 2020, the SCRD has been looking at long-term disposal options for the coming decades. The SCRD is proposing a vertical expansion of the Sechelt Landfill - aka build up instead of out.
The SCRD is informing the community on the Vertical Expansions project. If the project is incorporated in the Solid Waste Management Plan, the SCRD will proceed with construction.
Read more about the project here.
Where I can learn more about the Vertical Expansion of the Sechelt Landfill?
You can do a deeper dive into the project through this staff report.
Or watch the presentations and discussion at the Intergovernmental Roundtable.
Will the SCRD export waste outside the region?
In 2023, the province approved an amendment to the 2011 Solid Waste Management Plan to add the option to temporarily export solid waste outside the region for disposal, should the Sechelt Landfill reach capacity before a new waste disposal option is built and operational.
Exporting waste outside the region is still included in the plan, should the SCRD require to do so.
Why don’t rural areas have curbside recycling?
The SCRD does not currently offer curbside recycling in rural areas, and instead provides recycling depots. The Board directed staff to further discuss curbside recycling through this solid waste management plan update.
The District of Sechelt and shíshálh Nation Government District provides this service to its residents.