11th Annual Trash Bash Community Clean Up

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is inviting community members and businesses to volunteer their time and services at the 11^th Annual Trash Bash event which takes place on Saturday, September 21.

This year, the event will focus on cleaning up illegal dump sites off roadsides and forests from Halfmoon Bay to Roberts Creek.

Since the event launched in 2012, over 54 tonnes of illegally dumped material has been hauled out of forests and backroads and disposed of responsibly at the landfill. Each year, an average of 30 to 40 volunteers help clean up a different area of the Sunshine Coast. The last two events focused on Egmont to Pender Harbour, and Elphinstone to West Howe Sound.

“This event helps keep our community free of harmful waste and brings attention to the fact that dumping waste such as garbage, hazardous waste and even green waste is illegal,” says Andrea Patrao, SCRD Solid Waste Programs Coordinator. “The materials collected each year range from garbage and scrap metal, tires and free to recycle electronics and appliances.”

Pre-registration for the event is required at https://letstalk.scrd.ca/trash-bash. Complete the registration form and find out more about this event. Questions can be directed to infrastructure@scrd.ca or phone 604-885-6806.

Once registered, volunteers are asked to sign-in on September 21 at 10:00 a.m. at Hackett Park in Sechelt. Volunteers will be treated to a free lunch, prepared by Sechelt Lions Club volunteers, and will have a chance to win great prizes.

To learn more about the issue of illegal dumping and how to report dump sites in the region, the SCRD invites the public to view the “Stop Illegal Dumping” video made in partnership with the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities at www.scrd.ca/illegal-dumping.

Residents are advised to report an illegal dump site to the BC Conservation Service RAPP (Report All Poachers and Polluters) line at 1-877-952-7277 or www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos/rapp/rapp.