New 2025 RDOS Cart Program for Garbage, Recyclables and Yard Waste

What?!?!?! Something's changing?!?

In October 2024, the RDOS endorsed a plan to roll out carts for curbside waste collection. 

This new program supports implementation of RDOS Bylaw No. 2819, 2018, which requires garbage to be placed in a secure collection bin no earlier than 5 am on the morning of collection. Remember, even in winter, improperly secured attractants (garbage, BBQs, bird feeders, pet and livestock feed) can attract wildlife and result in safety issues that put wildlife and your family and pets at risk.

All residents in RDOS rural areas, including Anarchist Mountain, will start receiving new carts for garbage, recycling, and yard waste in June 2025. The new collection program is scheduled to begin in July.

The new RDOS cart sizes are as follows:

• 120 L garbage with wildlife resistant features (*see note below)

• 240 L recycle

• 240 L yard waste

If you already own a cart(s) that you think may fit within the RDOS size specifications, please email solidwaste@rdos.bc.ca as soon as possible with your name, address, photo(s), and description of your cart(s) to be considered as a customer-supplied container. The carts will need to be individually evaluated to ensure they are compatible with collection requirements. If your cart is approved by the RDOS to be adopted into curbside collection, you will receive a one-time rebate towards the cost of collection, the cart will become the property of the RDOS, and it must remain at your property if you move. If your carts break accidentally or suffer wear-and-tear, they will be replaced at no cost to the resident.

If your carts are larger than the new standard size (120 L garbage, 240 L recycle, 240 L yard waste), the RDOS will begin charging you the applicable fees for any additional waste volume. The cost for upsized or additional carts applies whether is carts are supplied by the resident or the RDOS.

*NOTE: The bear resistant garbage carts with clips used by some residents on Anarchist will be considered oversized under the new collection program. If you wish to continue to use your existing bear resistant cart, you will need to contact the RDOS and provide the details as outlined above so the cart can be assessed for use under the new program. 

Unlimited curbside yard waste collection will no longer be available on a monthly basis through the spring and fall. Rather, dates for unlimited yard waste collection will be scheduled by the RDOS on a one-time basis in both the spring and fall. Please consider the Anarchist Mountain Wapiti burn pit as an option for the disposal of allowable yard waste and debris. The pit is located just off Wapiti Way and Highway 3, and operates April through September. More information can be found at https://anarchistmountaincommunitysociety.com/. The 2025 schedule for the Wapiti pit will be posted once available, so stay tuned.

For further information about the new cart collection program, please visit the RDOS Regional Connections Curbside Collection project page at rdosregionalconnections.ca or email solidwaste@rdos.bc.ca. You can also contact the RDOS Solid Waste Hotline at 250-490-4129. 

Who's Who in the Wild - Through the Fog...

Dense winter fog on Anarchist Mountain - it can be beautiful in its grey simplicity. However, it also limits our ability to see potential hazards while driving, especially wildlife, people and pets, and other vehicles.

Every year, tens of thousands of animals are killed by vehicles on our highways and roadways. The risk of hitting an animal increases substantively when visibility is reduced and road conditions deteriorate, which can happen quickly. Wildlife typically most active at dawn and dusk, use fog to their perceived advantage of cover and travel more during the daytime. This poses an additional hazard, because they have greater difficulty seeing you or vehicles.

Here are some tips to reduce the risk to you and your family when driving in foggy conditions this winter:

• Slow down: Drive at a safe and reasonable speed for the road conditions, even if it's slower than the speed limit. 

• Increase following distance: Leave at least 10 seconds between you and the vehicle in front. 

• Avoid high beams: The light from high beams reflects off the fog and makes it harder to see. 

• Use your hazard lights: In dense fog, the flashing lights will make it easier for other vehicles to see you.

• Flash oncoming vehicles: If you observe wildlife close to or on the road, flash oncoming traffic to warn them of the hazard, brake slowly and give other vehicles space to react.

• Avoid passing other cars: The road is obscured, so it's best to avoid passing other vehicles. 

• Never stop on the road: If you can't navigate safely, pull over in a rest area or well off the road and wait for the fog to clear.

If you hit a large animal like a deer or moose, pull over to the side of the road if it is safe to do so and turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers. Contact the RCMP and AIM Roads (1-866-222-4204 if the animal is blocking traffic or a threat to other drivers. DO NOT approach the animal under any circumstances - doing so could put your safety at risk and make a bad situation worse. If the animal is still alive or appears injured and wanders off, please contact the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277 to report the incident.

Who's Who in the Wild - Wile E. Coyote is on the move...

Did you know that early fall through December is 'dispersal season' for coyotes on Anarchist? This means that the mature pups born earlier this year are either allowed to stay in their family's territory (as 'betas') or are driven out of the family pack. Both young males and females can be pushed out.

While dispersal can occur at any time of the year, it's most common in the fall/early winter. As the parents of the youngsters (the alpha pair) begin preparing for fall breeding season, they want to remove any possible challenges and competition for food out of the family pack.

Dispersal season is an incredibly difficult time for the young coyotes that are forced to leave and find their own way. While some will find mates and form packs of their own, others will wander as transients, seeking food and shelter wherever they can while trying to avoid the territories of other packs and other trouble. These youngsters will be more curious and less cautious of people than adult coyotes, so you may see them close to your home or yard.

We can all do our part to avoid negative interactions with coyotes this fall and winter. Remember to:

• Always keep your dog on a leash and under control. Breeding pairs can be very territorial at this time of year and a roaming dog could be seen as a threat.

• Keep cats indoors, especially at night. A free-range cat is an easy target for coyotes and other predators.

• Ensure attractants like bird seed, pet and livestock feed and compost are properly secured. If not, it's likely mice and other rodents will be attracted to this easy and convenient food source, which in turn could attract coyotes to your yard.

• Pick up after your dog as canine feces can act as an attractant for coyotes.

• If you encounter a coyote while out in your yard or on a walk, make lots of noise, wave your arms, and keep dogs and small children close. If you can, walk in the opposite direction.

  • Coyotes sometimes engage in behavior called 'escorting' to guide people and dogs away from their territory. This is usually a normal and non-threatening behavior.

• Never feed wildlife or let your dogs chase coyotes or other wildlife. The Provincial Wildlife Act considers it an offense to attract and/or feed wildlife (or chase wildlife) such as bears, coyotes, cougars and wolves. Doing so can result in significant fines or jail time.

If you encounter a coyote that is acting aggressively, please contact the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277).