With Emterra out of commission after fire, Kamloops recyclables going to TNRD depot in Pritchard

KAMLOOPS — A fire earlier this week at a Kamloops recycling plant has thrown a wrench into normal operations, but the Thompson-Nicola Regional District spokesperson says residents should not notice much difference.

The fire started in baled cardboard inside a compound belonging to Emterra Environmental Tuesday (June 6). Kamloops Fire Rescue told CFJC Today Friday that it still is not able to release a suspected cause of the fire.

In a news release issued Friday, the TNRD says it is working with the City of Kamloops and Recycle BC to keep the process moving.

Starting Wednesday, the City of Kamloops began trucking its recyclable material to the TNRD South Thompson Eco-Depot in Pritchard. From there, the materials are packed onto transport trucks bound for a Recycle BC facility in the Lower Mainland.

While more recyclables will be seen piling up on the Pritchard property, TNRD Adriana Mailloux says residents likely won’t be impacted.

“We appreciate the understanding of residents using the South Thompson Eco-Depot while these temporary changes are in place on site,” said Adriana Mailloux, TNRD Solid Waste and Recycling Manager. “We were happy to be able to support one of our member municipalities and avoid interruptions in recycling collection.”

Mailloux notes Recycle BC is covering the extra costs associated with the change in operations.