The recycling depot at the Nelson transfer station could remain open for the immediate future.
Uli Wolf, the Regional District of Central Kootenay's general manager of environmental services, told 103.5 The Bridge they are hoping to preserve some recycling services at the present site once the transfer station is moved to a new location west of the city.
The move comes as Multi Material BC refuses to allow the RDCK to become part of an industry stewardship program legislated by the provincial government for the time being. As a result, the RDCK has agreed to continue providing recycling services for at least a year.
Wolf said the RDCK has little choice but to continue its current programs.
"Our current depot is at the current Nelson transfer station so we are working with the city to come to an agreement to continue, temporarily, the depot in that location," said Wolf.
But that deal would only include the recycling depot.
"We will vacate the rest of the property. There is some consideration given to have a portion of it for alternative use, but that is in the early stage of investigation."
The move should be completed by summer.
"We are, as well, looking at some of the issues surrounding the contamination of the neighbouring site and this site but in general we will get our equipment off that site by late summer and have all our equipment moved to the new transfer station which we hope to have operational in July," Wolf said.
What has yet to be determined is if the new transfer station will also have a recycling depot on site. "We are limited for space but it is under discussion to have a smaller one for the immediate rural area," explained Wolf.
The current transfer station is located on CPR lands and discussions are ongoing about remediating the site. While there are still hurdles to clear, Wolf said a recycling depot is a priority.
"Both the City of Nelson and the RDCK have a real interest to continue to have a depot close to, or within, city limits. I'm sure we will come up with a solution."
Running the programs will be costly, but the plan is to invoice MMBC.
"The hopes that they outright pay that invoice are little," Wolf said, "but I think it exemplifies to the general public and this organization that we continue to have a cost for something they really carry the obligation for."
Wolf said they will bill for the full cost to the RDCK, which last year was a little over $1 million.