The Winlaw Recycling Depot will permanently close its doors on March 31.
The site will continue to serve customers until the end of March. After that, the closest facilities available for use are the Slocan Transfer Station and the Crescent Valley Recycling Depot.
The closure was approved by the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Board of Directors on January 16.
According to a press release, the closure was one of the recommendations from the Tipping Fee Cost Recovery Assessment and Resource System Efficiency Study, completed in 2024.
The study aimed to identify options for improving operational efficiencies, cost-effectiveness, and the equitability of the region’s Resource Recovery Program.
It recommended closing facilities that collect less than 50 kg of recycling per hour of operation and are located within a 20-minute drive of another RDCK facility.
The Winlaw Recycling Depot is a Satellite Depot and accepts fewer materials than a Core Depot due to transportation costs and space restrictions.
On average, the facility receives approximately 40 kg per hour of household glass, plastic, and paper products. It is located about 19 km from the Slocan Core Recycling Depot and approximately 24 km from the Crescent Valley Core Recycling Depot.
The RDCK estimates that the closure will save approximately $40,885 annually in operational costs, including rent, snow removal, hauling of collected recyclables, staffing, and supplies.
The study also made recommendations regarding tipping fee cost recovery and operational efficiencies.
These are still being considered by RDCK staff and the board, with more changes expected to be proposed this year.
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