Yard & Garden Waste Drop-off

Yard & Garden Waste generated in the RDNO is consolidated at the Greater Vernon Landfill and turned into RDNO-Gro, a compost which can be used as a soil amendment for gardening and landscaping.

Yard & Garden Waste accepted at RDNO Solid Waste Management Facilities includes:

• trimmings and prunings (<20 centimetres diameter and 2 metres long)
• leaves
• grass
• mulch
• flowers
• vegetable stalks (including pumpkins)
• woody or herbaceous waste
• wood chips
• wind fallen fruit and vegetables; and
• trees trunks and stumps (<20 cm diameter).

Material Not Accepted as Yard & Garden Waste includes: animal feces, cardboard, noxious weeds, plastic, soil, rocks, fencing, fabric, netting and other non-vegetated landscaping and gardening waste. Any material other than yard waste in the yard waste stock pile is not permitted.

Rates & Quantities

There are Free Yard & Garden Waste drop off areas at all RDNO Solid Waste Management Facilities (except for Silver Star and Cherryville Transfer Stations). Residents with large quantities of materials are asked to utilize Greater Vernon or Lumby Landfills.  

Bulk loads of Yard & Garden waste delivered in dual rear axle vehicles or larger are accepted at Greater Vernon and Lumby Landfills ONLY.  Fees apply for bulk loads of Yard & Garden Waste. For information on tipping fees please visit: rdno.ca/wastefees. 

Plastic Yard Waste Bags Contaminate Compost

Plastic bags are a big problem for yard waste and compost as get shredded into small pieces when the materials are chipped. Just one bag can be shredded into thousands of plastic fragments. The small pieces of plastic then pollute our land and water and reduce the usefulness of the compost.

Some alternatives to bringing yard waste to Solid Waste Management Facilities in plastic bags are:

• Using reusable containers or kraft paper bags
• Bringing materials unbagged but remember to secure your load
• Keeping leaves as a valuable garden bed mulch to improve soil and plant health.
• Using leaves in your backyard compost, they are an excellent ingredient for controlling odors, preventing pests and making great compost. Find tips on the Home Composting & Yard Care webpage. 
• Grasscycling by leaving mowed grass on the lawn which improves the health of lawns and saves you time

Please make sure all bagged Yard & Garden Waste is emptied. If you are not reusing your bags, emptied plastic bags go to garbage and emptied paper bags can be added to the Yard & Garden Waste pile.

Noxious Weeds

Noxious Weeds are not accepted in the Yard & Garden Waste drop off area. These plants need to be contained and disposed responsibly to prevent their spread.

Noxious Weeds are accepted for disposal at no charge at RDNO Solid Waste Management Facilities under the following conditions:

• Contain them to prevent their spread in clear plastic bags, clear plastic sheets or tarp. Loose Noxious Weeds will not be accepted for disposal.
• Small amounts (less than 6 bags in volume) will be accepted during regular operating hours.
• Larger quantities (more than 6 bags) require a minimum of 24 hour advanced notice at the Greater Vernon Landfill and are accepted between 10:00am to 2:00pm Monday to Friday (please call 250-550-3785 or email solidwaste@rdno.ca).
• Upon arriving to a Solid Waste Management Facility, proceed to the scale house and the attendant will advise on the dispose location and will record your disposal.  

Please help avoid the spread of noxious weeds and Invasive Plants. Learn more about Noxious Weeds & Invasive Plants.

Most municipalities also provide seasonal or curbside collection for yard and garden waste. For more information, check directly with your municipality.