Outdoor Burning and Green Waste

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On November 23, 2020, Council directed staff to develop a Green Waste Disposal Strategy to determine the most cost effective and fair manner of managing green waste disposal for residential/commercial, agricultural/ALR, and subdivision/ development lands by examining disposal alternatives such as outdoor burning, green waste facility, and seasonal pick up service while keeping in mind the guiding principles and suggested timeline Milestones (attached).

Background

Outdoor burning has been allowed in North Saanich for many years as a way to manage excess green waste. However, there is a growing awareness about the impact of outdoor burning on air quality, and in

On November 23, 2020, Council directed staff to develop a Green Waste Disposal Strategy to determine the most cost effective and fair manner of managing green waste disposal for residential/commercial, agricultural/ALR, and subdivision/ development lands by examining disposal alternatives such as outdoor burning, green waste facility, and seasonal pick up service while keeping in mind the guiding principles and suggested timeline Milestones (attached).

Background

Outdoor burning has been allowed in North Saanich for many years as a way to manage excess green waste. However, there is a growing awareness about the impact of outdoor burning on air quality, and in turn, the impact of poor air quality on human health, particularly for vulnerable individuals including children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions. There is also a growing awareness that outdoor burning contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The District is considering what changes to make to the outdoor burning rules and green waste drop-off service levels to address these concerns.

The District launched a survey on July 15, 2020 (closed August 17, 2020) to find out about the community's perspective on these issues. This information will help inform staff recommendations and Council's decisions regarding any changes to the rules or drop-off service.

  • Current Outdoor Burning Rules

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    Outdoor burning refers to the open burning of green waste and construction materials. It does not include outdoor cooking facilities or campfires.

    Outdoor burning has been allowed in North Saanich for many years. Currently, from November to mid-May, outdoor burning of green waste is allowed with an annual permit. For a $25 fee, annual permits allow fires of up to 3' x 3' x 3'. Outdoor burning rules include:

    • Open air burning shall only take place on the first and third consecutive Thursday, Friday, and Saturday during the burning season from sunrise to sunset.
    • A competent adults shall have the fire under constant supervision and ensure that equipment for fire control is readily available (i.e. a charged garden hose with a spray nozzle).
    • An open fire shall be located at least 25' from any structures or combustibles

    Prohibitions:

    • No burning is allowed in the Dean Park area located west of East Saanich Road, south of Forest Park Drive (both sides, including Texada Terrace) to the southern border of the District with the exception of outdoor appliances.

    Prohibited materials:

    • Leaves and grass
    • Construction and household materials:
      • Asphalt Products
      • Biomedical Waste
      • Domestic Waste
      • Dry Wall
      • Flammable Liquids
      • Manure
      • Fuel & Lubricant Containers
      • Paint
      • All Plastics
      • Mattresses
      • Couches
      • Rubber
      • Tar Paper
      • Tires
      • Treated Lumber

  • Green Waste Drop-Off

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    The District's Green Waste Drop-Off Facility, located at 10180 Littlewood Road is open 8:00 a.m. to noon on the first and third Saturday and the second and fourth Thursday of every month. The facility accepts green waste that is clean and free of debris. Green waste includes branches, grass clippings, garden debris, and stumps which can be loaded/unloaded by hand. Wood waste is not allowed

    The District rates for drop-off are:

    • $7.00 Car
    • $15.00 Pickup or Utility Trailer
    • Larger loads are assessed by staff

    Currently, the waste material is chipped and stockpiled for compost to create topsoil. The District is looking to add a green waste composting facility to the site.

Page last updated: 10 Dec 2020, 11:46 AM