Illegal dumping task force producing results

KELOWNA — A volunteer group dedicated to identifying and cleaning up illegal dump sites has launched a new website.

Not long ago, the Okanagan Forest Task Force launched a new app to facilitate the reporting of illegal dump sites.

The organization says it has grown exponentially since the launch.

“Support for OFTF has been through the roof and the now charitable organization is growing larger than organizers could have ever dreamed up,” said spokesman Kane Blake.

Tons of garbage have since been removed from Central Okanagan forests.

“In our first four-months of existence we have managed to remove 26,488 pounds of garbage and pulled out 25,480 pounds of scrap metal,” said Blake. “That is an amazing 51,928 pounds of waste that was illegally dumped in the forests around our city.”

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Blake said that’s just the tip of the iceberg and hopes with the launch of the organization’s new website, it will help create more awareness about the problem.

“OFTF would like to thank the sponsors, the community, and the people willing to put boots to the ground; because without these dedicated residents none of this would be possible,” Blake said.