Residents are being asked to clean up and keep Castlegar beautiful this spring, as Communities in Bloom proclaim this week as Communities in Bloom Week.
The Communities in Bloom program fosters community strength, involvement, and continuous improvement by promoting nurturing environmental sustainability, enhancements of green spaces and heritage conservation in cultural and natural environments.
Castlegar’s group is a volunteer-driven organization which puts in hundreds of hours towards these initiatives year-round.
“Many Communities in Bloom volunteers are asking the residents of Castlegar to help pitch in and clean up our community during the month of May to keep things looking fresh and clean.” Said Chris Hallam, Director of Municipal Services City of Castlegar.
“A place that we can be proud to call home.”
How to get involved
There are several projects to get involved with and make a difference in our community.
Community clean up contest- Register to informally clean up any area of the City you choose by contacting our Civic Works Division at 250-365-5979 or [email protected]. Once registered, the City will share more information, supply gloves, garbage bags and pickers and pick up the garbage once your clean up is completed.
Bonus: Participants will be entered to win a free pizza courtesy of the City and Communities in Bloom.
Adopt a road– The City’s Adopt-a-Road Program has been in place for almost 20 years and gives people a chance to keep Castlegar streets clean. Participants in the program agree to adopt a section of road right-of-way and keep it clean. Adopted road sections are approximately two kilometres long and the City recognizes participants by posting signs acknowledging the efforts of participants on the designated road sections. The commitment is for two years and includes a minimum of two cleanups per year.
The City provides volunteers with high-visibility vests and trash bags and arranges for trash pick-up if requested. Trash grabbers, road warning signs and traffic cones are also available. Learn more about this program by calling Civic Works at 250-365-5979 or [email protected].
Yard Waste Disposal- The City offers weekly curbside organics and yard waste collection. Doing a yard clean up and have too much material for your organics cart? No problem. Drop off your yard waste at one of two Castlegar locations:
1.City of Castlegar’s free yard waste disposal site located at 2101 6th Avenue – Residents can drop off grass, lawn and hedge clippings, flowers, weeds, leaves, vegetable stalks, shrubs, and branches. The City’s Yard Waste Disposal Site accepts yard and garden waste free of charge.
2.Regional District of Central Kootenay Ootischenia Landfill located at 616 Columbia Road – Ootischenia Landfill accepts yard and garden waste for free in May and October. User fees apply during the rest of the year.
Hazardous waste disposal– In B.C., it is easy to responsibly recycle many things to keep them out of the landfill. Oil and tires, appliances, old paint, unused or expired medication, and so much more. Learn more about where to take these materials at castlegar.ca/curbside or download the Recycle Coach app using the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Something going on in your part of the Kootenays you think people should know about? Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].