Forest Crowne is in bear country. We have black bears that wander through here, but, generally, our Forest Crowne community has not had a problem with them. One of the things that we can do to keep it that way is by making sure that garbage is disposed of properly.
The homes in the “Miner’s Alley” section (on Forest Crowne Terrace, Forest Crowne Drive, and Forest Crowne Crescent) are provided with once per week (Friday) curb-side pickup by the City of Kimberley.
The three stratas in “The Cottages” section (on Forest Crowne Close and Forest Crowne Rise) pay for their own private garbage collection. Currently, for approximately 75 households (about 25% permanent and 75% vacation homes) there are three grey 4 cubic meter bear proof bins with pickup once per week on Tuesday mornings. These grey bins, located at the intersection of Forest Crowne Boulevard and Forest Crowne Rise, are for the exclusive use of the members of the three stratas who pay for them.
Also available next to the grey bins is a yellow recycling bin provided free of charge by the Regional District of East Kootenays (RDEK). They provide pickup usually on Mondays. The recycling bin is available for everyone (Miner’s Alley and The Cottages) within Forest Crowne or even those outside of Forest Crowne to use.
As well, there are facilities at the Kimberley Transfer Station. Map to Transfer Station Here they accept large household garbage, metal for recycling, branches, grass and other yard waste for composting, construction material, old appliances and propane bottles. Most of the items are accepted free of charge – some construction waste has a small disposal fee. Of great benefit is the very popular “Reuse Centre”, also known as the “free store” where you may take items for free. You can also leave items there that you no longer want, but others can use.
Disposal of garbage:
For “Miner’s Alley” homes this means:
- Recycle first – all recyclables (except glass, which have their own bins at other locations) should be placed in the yellow RDEK recycle bin. Follow these RDEK guidelines:
- Recycling in the RDEK | Engage East Kootenay Make sure that you flatten all cardboard – unflattened boxes take up a large amount of space and doesn’t leave room for other recyclables.
- City of Kimberley bylaw states that garbage may be placed curbside no earlier than 5 a.m. on garbage pickup day.
- Do not use, or instruct others to use, “The Cottages’ ” privately paid for garbage bins. If people who haven’t paid use the bins, then there won’t be enough room in them for those who do pay.
- Recycle first – all recyclables (except glass, which have their own bins at other locations) should be placed in the yellow RDEK recycle bin. Follow these RDEK guidelines:
- Recycling in the RDEK | Engage East Kootenay Make sure that you flatten all cardboard – unflattened boxes take up a large amount of space and doesn’t leave room for other recyclables.
- All non-recyclable garbage must be inside the garbage bins with the lids closed. If there is garbage outside of the bin, it is a bear and crow/raven attractant. By actively ensuring garbage reaches the far corners of the bins, more garbage can be fit into the bins.
- If the lid cannot be closed, the bin is no longer bear proof. In that case, put your garbage in a different bin.
- If all the bins appear to be full, find some room. Chances are, the garbage is simply piled in the fromt of the bin and there is plenty of room near the back of the bin. Do not leave garbage outside of the bins.
- Long weekends are particularly busy garbage times. Permanent residents can help by minimizing their garbage in the pickup after the long weekend.