Pesticide Risk Reduction
There has been increasing public concern in communities across Canada over the use of pesticides and their potential impacts on human health and the environment. The City of Richmond has responded by adopting a Pesticide Use Control Bylaw that regulates pesticides for cosmetic use. The Bylaw builds upon City efforts to reduce the use of pesticides in Richmond with the adoption of the Pesticide Risk Reduction Policy in 2006. Since that time the City has offered a wide variety of workshops to provide residents with information on alternative ways of maintaining lawns and gardens. Download our brochure for more information: 
Go Green Naturally Brochure. Register for green gardening workshops in the spring of 2010: Environmental Sustainability Workshops.
Pesticide Use Control Bylaw
The City of Richmond's Pesticide Use Control Bylaw No. 8514 was adopted by City Council on October 13, 2009 and is now in effect.
The Bylaw restricts the use of non-essential, cosmetic pesticides on outdoor vegetation on Private Residential Property and City-owned land. Pesticides include such products as herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides and combined fertilizer / herbicide “weed and feed” type products.
The bylaw permits the use of biological pest controls which would include nematodes, lady beetles and micro-organisms such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacteria or fungi.
To make sure the pesticides you use are permitted, compare the active ingredient on the product label with Schedule A: Excluded pesticides of the Pesticide Use Control Bylaw No. 8514
Common active ingredients in conventional pesticides such as 2, 4-D, Mecoprop, Dicamba, Glyphosate, Carbaryl and Malathion are now regulated and subject to the prohibition of the Bylaw.Minoru Park’s lawn bowling green and Hugh Boyd Park’s Pitch and Putt are excluded from the prohibition due to the challenges related to operating these facilities. Under the City’s adopted Enhanced Pesticide Management Program, all efforts will be taken to minimize traditional pesticide use at these locations.
The bylaw also excludes agricultural, institutional, industrial and commercial lands, based on provincial legislation B.C. Reg. 144/2004 — Community Charter — Spheres of Concurrent Jurisdiction—Environment and Wildlife Regulation.
Pesticide Disposal
Domestic pesticides are hazardous substances and must be properly disposed. The City's Recycling Depot accepts consumer pesticides that have both the poisonous symbol (skull and crossbones) and a Pest Control Product (PCP) number (e.g. PCP Reg #2464). Maximum accepted container size is 10 litres.
The City’s Recycling Depot is located at 5555 Lynas Lane (close to River Road) and is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. IT is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and statutory holidays.
Pesticides are not allowed in the garbage or at disposal sites and therefore must be safely disposed. Pesticides should never be disposed of into the street or down household drains.
Hazardous waste disposal companies will pick up unknown or leftover pesticides in containers without labels for a fee. Please call the RCBC Recycling Hotline at 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253) for hazardous waste disposal companies.
Bylaw Violations
The City’s Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 7321, Amendment Bylaw No. 8526 was also adopted to include $100, $500 and $1,000 fines for first, second and third violations of the Pesticide Use Control Bylaw. In addition, the Pesticide Use Control Bylaw includes a provision that any violation is an offence punishable on conviction by way of a fine up to $10,000.
An expanded Enhanced Pesticide Management Program is currently under development. This program will include lobbying other levels of government to regulate the use and sale of pesticides for cosmetic purposes, as well as to develop a broad outreach program for the Richmond community.
If you have any questions or comments please contact Eric Portelance, Environmental Coordinator, in the City of Richmond’s Environmental Programs at 604-276-4230.
Pesticide Risk Reduction Policy
In 2006, the City of Richmond adopted a Pesticide Risk Reduction Policy, which seeks to reduce community reliance and minimize risks posed by pesticide use.
The City Risk Reduction Policy and further information on the City review of alternative management strategies, including Restrictive Bylaws, can be found in the following reports:
There are many things we can do in our yard to help reduce the use of chemicals and pesticides and still maintain a beautiful lawn or garden. Using good maintenance practices like watering moderately, using a mulching mower, or distributing compost on the lawn rather than chemical fertilizer, are ways to care for our lawn with nature in mind.
Here are 3 key tips:
- Mow high
For home lawns, a good mowing height is 6 to 9 cm high (2 ½ to 3 ½ inches). The longer the blades of grass are, the deeper the roots grow. Not only does this make the lawn healthier and more drought resistant, but the dense growth means less light reaches the soil. Fewer weed seeds germinate and those that do are smothered by the vigorous grass. - Leave the clippings on the lawn
They are a free source of weed-free, slow-release, organic, perfectly balanced fertilizer. Leaving the clippings may be all the nutrients you need to put on a low maintenance lawn. - Apply lime following directions on the package carefully
This makes soil less acidic, which makes more nutrients available to the plants and promotes the growth of beneficial microbes that digest thatch.
Environmental Sustainability Workshops
Environmental Sustainability workshops have been programmed to help individuals and groups take action towards creating a more sustainable community and reducing pesticide use. These workshops are held from March to November.
- Community Charter - Spheres of Concurrent Jurisdiction - Environment and Wildlife Regulation BC Reg. 144/2004
- Integrated Pest Management Regulation BC Reg. 604/2004
- Pest Management Regulatory Agency
- Pesticide Control Products Act
