Alternatives to Open Burning
Recent studies have found that 53% of total PM2.5 emissions in the Cowichan Valley resulted from open burning. Residents should consider other means of disposing yard waste to reduce the volume of fine particulate matter being discharged into the air. As such, open burning is restricted within the urban containment boundary because these areas have the highest density of homes and businesses that can be adversely affected by smoke.
Alternatives include:
- Compost at home
- Use a wood chipper
- Take yard waste (year-round and free of charge) to one of our region’s solid waste management and recycling facilities:
- Bings Creek Solid Waste Management Complex, 3900 Drinkwater Road, North Cowichan.
- Peerless Road Drop-Off Depot, 10830 Westdowne Road, Ladysmith.
More information:
- Phone the CVRD Recycling Hotline at 250-746-2540
- Read about the health effects of wood smoke at British Columbia Lung Association.
