Waste Hauler Licensing (WHL)
The Waste Hauler Licensing (WHL) Bylaw works with the Mandatory Waste Source Separation (MWSS) Bylaw to divert recycling and organics away from landfills. The bylaw requires all businesses transporting another party’s waste for profit from within the region to have an annual license which will come into effect January 1, 2025.
The WHL Bylaw works in two ways. First, it allows the RDN to give licensed haulers a discounted tipping rate at the Regional Landfill for waste that is free of recyclable or compostable materials. This will encourage the flow of waste from generators to the private waste and recycling industry—instead of to the landfill.
Second, the bylaw introduces a disposal levy for waste landfilled or incinerated in or out of the region. This will encourage waste reduction by making it more profitable to divert waste than to dispose it. This model will also provide reliable tracking of waste diversion/disposal and has the economic benefit of growing the local waste industry. The disposal levy is not applied to material that is recycled or composted.
License Fees
Licensing fees depend on the amount of material landfilled and incinerated and are based on a tier system. Licensed haulers must provide tonnage reports and disposal levy remittances monthly.
| Tier | Tonnage Range | License Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 – 100 | $500 |
| 2 | 101 – 1,000 | $1,500 |
| 3 | 1,001 – 3,500 | $4,500 |
| 4 | 3,501 – 6,000 | $10,000 |
| 5 | 6,001 and over | $18,000 |
| Disposal levy per tonne | $25 | |
Learn more about the WHL Bylaw and its requirements from our Mandatory Waste Source Separation and Waste Hauler Licensing Guide.
If you'd like to discuss the option of paying your licensing fee monthly for 2025, please contact us at zerowaste [at] rdn.bc.ca.
Exceptions
As set out in the bylaw, a Waste Hauler License is not required for the following activities:
- To haul source separated recyclable material;
- To haul refuse associated with the cleanup of spilled or illegally dumped material;
- To haul municipal solid waste by or on behalf of a Municipality or the Regional District (curbside collection
program); - To haul municipal solid waste under a subsisting Extended Producer Responsibility Plan prepared and
approved under the Environmental Management Act Recycling Regulation; or - To haul refuse generated outside the Region to:
- a site or facility in the region that holds a valid and subsisting Waste Stream Management License;
- a site or facility in the region that holds a valid and subsisting site-specific authorization that specifically authorizes the management of municipal solid waste at the site or facility issued by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy; or
- a location that is outside of the region.
How to Apply
Waste haulers should fill out the Waste Hauler Licensing Application Form.
- Payment is accepted by cheque, cash, or debit. Licensing fees cannot be paid via credit card
- Applications will be accepted in person or by mail to 6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo V9T 6N2 Attn: Solid Waste Services
If you believe your application is delayed in the mail, please reach out to zerowaste [at] rdn.bc.ca to inform us and arrange to resend the application.
*Please note: Payment is due with application. The “Waste Hauler Licensing Bylaw No. 1813, 2022” prohibits staff from processing your application until the relevant license fee has been paid.
Waste Haulers who do not currently have a charge account at the Regional Landfill/Church Road Transfer Station will need to contact our Finance Department at financeAR [at] rdn.bc.ca (financeAR[at]rdn[dot]bc[dot]ca) to set one up
Reporting
All licensed haulers must complete monthly reports. Monthly reports are due within 60 days of the end of each calendar month. All reports must include the following information:
- Total tonnage of mixed municipal solid waste deposited at RDN facilities and,
- Total tonnage of mixed municipal solid waste deposited at non-RDN facilities, including the name and address of any disposal facility, refuse derived fuel facility and material recovery facility.
Details about the reporting system and software are sent to haulers via email once their license is approved. If you are a licensed hauler and have not received your log in information, please reach out to us at zerowaste [at] rdn.bc.ca
Renewing Your License
Haulers must submit a Waste Hauler License Renewal Application and required fees through mail within 60 to 120 days before their license expires. Licenses are valid for one year.
If you're nearing the tonnage limit for your current tier, exceeding it will require paying the higher standard tipping fee at RDN facilities. You can renew early at the next tier by submitting a new application to maintain the reduced tipping rate.