Drywall Landfill Ban

Release
Gypsum Wallboard Now Banned at Landfills

The Regional District of Central Okanagan and the City of Kelowna have added gypsum wallboard to the list of mandatory recyclable materials banned at local landfills. New gypsum wallboard, commonly also known as drywall, has been banned at local landfills since 1993, but recent technology changes have made it possible to recycle all forms of gypsum wallboard, including painted or wallpapered gypsum as well as wallboard that contains nails or screws.

Gypsum wallboard contains sulfur compounds that can leach into the groundwater resulting in sulphate contamination. Additionally, wallboard in the landfill can release hydrogen sulphide in the atmosphere, a foul smelling gas that can negatively impact the health of landfill workers. Airborne hydrogen sulphide is also a cause of ‘acid rain’.

The ban on recyclable gypsum wallboard was officially implemented at the Glenmore and Westside Landfills on February 7th, 2005 under the Regional District of Central Okanagan’s Bylaw 580 and the City of Kelowna’s Bylaw 7173.

• All Gypsum must be recycled - including:
• New gypsum
• Painted gypsum
• Wallpapered gypsum
• Gypsum with nails or screws
• Gypsum with attached masonry etc.

• Gypsum Wallboard can be recycled at:
• Alpine Environmental (Tel: 491-9234)
• Recycling Depot at Glenmore Landfill
• Recycling Depot at Westside Landfill

For more information on this ban contact the Regional Waste Reduction Office at 868-5250.