Photo: Contributed

Homes in the Carmi Road area, east of Penticton, will start receiving curb-side garbage and recycling collection as of March 4.

The 87 homes have for more than 10 years been using a drop-off depot located in the city.

In a report submitted to the regional district in December, RDOS staff pointed to the start of a new province wide recycling program as a major reason for the change.

Multi-Material BC helps pay for the curb-side collection of recyclables, but doesn’t contribute to the depot used by Carmi residents.

In 2015, the net cost per year to provide the depot was $26.54 more per home than the cost for curb side collection.

Moving to curb-side collection will save more than $2,300 per year for the program.

The Carmi depot was originally set up due to concerns that garbage would attract bears to the area.

The regional district will require that residents place out garbage only on the day of collection, use bear-proof garbage carts or set up bear-proof garbage enclosures at the end of their driveways.

These requirements were implemented in Naramata and resulted in a dramatic reduction in bears being killed from five to seven per year to only two in the last five years.

The last day Carmi residents will have access to their garbage and recycling depot will be Feb. 24.

Residents with questions can contact the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen solid waste group at 250‐490‐4129 or toll free at 1‐877‐610‐3737.

They can also visit the RDOS website.