January 11, 2012

This New Year, make it your resolution to return your meds!

The BC Pharmacy Association (BCPhA) and the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) have joined forces to urge members of the public to make a New Year’s resolution to bring their unused medications back to their local pharmacy.

Unused medications can pose a significant health, safety and environmental hazard when improperly stored or disposed of. British Columbians can return expired or unused medications to pharmacies across the province at no cost.

Parkash Ragsdale, Deputy CEO of BCPhA, said, “Medications that are flushed down the drain or tossed in the garbage can pose a serious threat to our environment, children and pets. For 2012, we’re encouraging the public to make it their resolution to return their unused medications to their pharmacy.”

“We’re excited to team up with BCPhA to create awareness about safe medication returns,” said Robyn Cooper, Waste Reduction Coordinator for the Regional District of North Okanagan. “The RDNO encourages everyone to return expired or unused medications to help protect the environment.”

She also reminds residents that, “The BC Recycling Hotline can be contacted at 1-800-667-4321 or www.rcbc.bc.ca for the most up-to-date drop-off recycling information for items not included in our curbside blue bag recycling program.”

More information about returning unused medications to pharmacies can be found at www.medicationsreturn.ca.

The British Columbia Pharmacy Association (BCPhA) is a not-for-profit, voluntary, professional association of pharmacists and pharmacies. It represents more than 2,600 pharmacists and 800 pharmacies throughout British Columbia.

The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) is comprised of the Cities of Armstrong, Enderby and Vernon; District of Coldstream; Village of Lumby; Township of Spallumcheen and surrounding Electoral Area's “B”, “C”, “D”, “E” and “F”. It covers an area of 787,190 hectares with a population of 77,301 (est. 2006).

Contact:

To interview a pharmacist in the North Okanagan area, please contact Elise Riedlinger, BCPhA: 604.269.2866 /  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Robyn Cooper, RDNO: 250.550.3743 /  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

October 13, 2011

Winter Hours Start November 1, 2011 at Recycling and Disposal Facilities

COLDSTREAM, BC – Winter Hours start Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at the Greater Vernon Recycling and Disposal Facility (GVRDF) and the Armstrong/Spallumcheen Recycling and Disposal Facility (ASRDF).

We’d like to remind residents that effective Sunday, November 6, 2011, the GVRDF and ASRDF will be closed Sundays until the end of February, but both RDF’s are conveniently open throughout the week and remain open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Winter Hours:

GVRDF
120 Birnie Road, Vernon
Nov 1 – Feb 28
Monday to Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sunday - Closed

ASRDF 
3367 Powerhouse Road, Armstrong
Nov 1 – Feb 28
Monday to Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sunday - Closed

For more information, please contact the RDNO at 250.550.3700 or visit our website at www.rdno.ca.

For more information:

Dale Danallanko
Recycling and Disposal Facility Operations Manager
250.550.3744

September 20, 2011

One Stop Drop for Household Hazardous Waste

COLDSTREAM, BC – The 2011 Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) Household Hazardous Waste Round Up takes place on Saturday, October 1st from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Okanagan College parking lot in Vernon and from 9:00 am to noon at the Enderby and Lumby Fire Halls. Bring your household hazardous waste for safe disposal or recycling - old pesticides, solvents, chemicals, or corrosive and toxic cleaners; anything with an explosive, flammable or poisonous label. This service is provided free of charge to residents.

The Round Up is for household hazardous waste only. Containers up to 20 litres in size will be accepted. Waste from commercial or industrial sources will not be accepted, nor will electronic waste.

Residents should take precautions when preparing and transporting hazardous materials:

1. Keep away from children, pets or food products;

2. Tightly secure lids to prevent leaks;

3. Leave the material in the original container and do not remove the labels. This will ensure proper handling if contents are unknown; and

4. Pack in a sturdy box and place upright to prevent spills and line your trunk or truck bed with plastic just in case.

 

If you cannot attend the October 1st Round Up, there are many year round locations for certain types of hazardous waste. Chasers Bottle Depot at 4702 31st Street, Vernon, accepts some pesticides, solvents and flammable liquids from residents at no charge. Paint leftovers are also accepted at no charge at Chasers Bottle Depot along with Interior Freight and Bottle Depot in Vernon, Armstrong Collision and Glass in Armstrong or KBM Autoworks and Towing in Lumby.

These events would not be possible without the dedicated volunteers from the Enderby and Vernon Lion Clubs, and the fire fighters from the Enderby and Lumby Fire Halls.

For more information about the event or other hazardous waste disposal options, please contact the RDNO at 250-550-3700.

For more information:

Robyn Cooper, Waste Reduction Coordinator 
250-550-3743