---
title: Coldstream yard waste collection and drop-off
question: "Where does yard waste and brush go in Coldstream?"
place: Coldstream, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/coldstream
category: Garbage, recycling and waste
owner: shared
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/yard-waste/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/yard-waste.json"
---

# Coldstream yard waste collection and drop-off

**Question:** Where does yard waste and brush go in Coldstream?

**Short answer:** Coldstream has no regular curbside yard waste collection. Residential yard and garden waste can be dropped off free at the Greater Vernon Landfill, 120 Birnie Road (RDNO). The District also runs a free seasonal curbside Wood Chipping Initiative for woody debris, by registration.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** Free for residential yard and garden waste at the Greater Vernon Landfill, and the chipping program is free for Coldstream residents. Bulk yard and garden waste is charged ($43 per tonne, minimum $10, in 2026).  
**How long:** The chipping program runs in the fall; its schedule and registration deadline are set each year.  
**Where:**
- In person: Greater Vernon Landfill, 120 Birnie Road (Summer (March 1 to November 30) Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Winter (December 1 to February 28) the same, but closed Sunday.)
- Online: Wood Chipping Initiative (registration), https://www.coldstream.ca/wood-chipping
- Phone: District of Coldstream Municipal Hall, 250-545-5304 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Curbside collection:** No regular curbside yard waste collection: the RDNO does not provide it, and the District has no garbage or organics collection. The District runs a free, seasonal curbside Wood Chipping Initiative for woody debris, by registration (fall schedule and registration deadline set each year).
  - Source: [Solid Waste Management, Regional District of North Okanagan, Curbside Collection Information](https://www.rdno.ca/rdno-services/solid-waste-management)
  - Official wording: "The RDNO does not provide curbside collection services for recycling, garbage and yard & garden waste."
  - Source: [Wood Chipping Initiative](https://www.coldstream.ca/wood-chipping)
  - Official wording: "The Wood Chipping Initiative offers residents a free curbside pickup service to help reduce wildfire risk around homes." … "This is a curbside-only service."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to set it out:** Chipping program: material under 6 inches in diameter, butt ends all one direction toward the road, at the curb (not on the road), a maximum of six piles each no larger than 3 ft x 3 ft x 8 ft, not tied or wrapped with wire, rope, plastic or paper. At the landfill, yard and garden waste must be debagged.
  - Source: [Wood Chipping Initiative, Program Details; Accepted Materials](https://www.coldstream.ca/wood-chipping)
  - Official wording: "Materials must be under 6” in diameter and piled with the butt ends all in one direction, pointing to the road." … "Pick up is limited to a maximum of six (6) piles, no larger than 3'x3'x8'." … "Material tied or wrapped with wire, rope, or anything non-compostable (such as plastic or paper) is not accepted."
  - Source: [Waste Facilities, Regional District of North Okanagan, FAQ](https://www.rdno.ca/wastefacilities)
  - Official wording: "No, if you bring Yard & Garden Waste it must be debagged."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Drop-off:** Greater Vernon Landfill, 120 Birnie Road. Summer (March 1 to November 30): Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Winter (December 1 to February 28): same, Sunday closed. Also free for residential yard waste: Lumby, Kingfisher and Armstrong/Spallumcheen (limited quantities).
  - Source: [Greater Vernon Diversion and Disposal Facility, RDNO, Hours](https://www.rdno.ca/rdno-services/solid-waste-management/diversion-disposal-facilities/greater-vernon-ddf)
  - Official wording: "120 Birnie Road, 4 km south of Vernon on Highway 97" … "SUMMER (March 1 - November 30)" … "Saturday & Sunday: 8:30am to 4:00pm" … "WINTER (December 1 - February 28)" … "Sunday: Closed" … "open regular hours during all Statutory Holidays except Christmas Day and New Years Day."
  - Source: [Garbage and Recycling, Yard Waste](https://www.coldstream.ca/community-services/public-works-utilities/garbage-recycling)
  - Official wording: "The Greater Vernon Diversion and Disposal Facility, located at 120 Birnie Road, offers free yard waste drop-off to Coldstream residents."
  - Source: [Wood Chipping Initiative, Alternative Yard Waste Disposal Options](https://www.coldstream.ca/wood-chipping)
  - Official wording: "You can still drop off residential yard and garden waste for free at the following facilities:" … "Kingfisher Transfer Station" … "Armstrong/Spallumcheen Diversion & Disposal Facility (in limited quantities)."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Cost:** Free for residential yard and garden waste at the Greater Vernon Landfill; the chipping program is also free for Coldstream residents. Bulk yard and garden waste is charged ($43 per tonne, minimum $10, in 2026).
  - Source: [Waste Fees, Regional District of North Okanagan, Weight Based Fees effective January 1, 2026](https://www.rdno.ca/wastefees)
  - Official wording: "Yard and Garden Waste - Residential | tonne | $0.00 | $0.00" … "Yard and Garden Waste - Bulk | tonne | $43.00 | $10.00"
  - Source: [Wood Chipping Initiative, Cost](https://www.coldstream.ca/wood-chipping)
  - Official wording: "The chipping program is FREE for Coldstream residents."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Not accepted:** Not accepted in the curbside chipping program: roots, dirt or rocks; thorns or invasive species; stumps; fabric; fencing; leaves; gardening waste; commercial pruning or tree disposal material; netting. Stumps are charged separately at the landfill (logs and stumps, clean and grindable, $36 per tonne in 2026).
  - Source: [Wood Chipping Initiative, NOT Accepted Materials](https://www.coldstream.ca/wood-chipping)
  - Official wording: "Roots, dirt or rocks" … "Thorns or invasive species" … "Gardening waste" … "Commercial pruning or tree disposal material"
  - Source: [Waste Fees, Regional District of North Okanagan, Weight Based Fees](https://www.rdno.ca/wastefees)
  - Official wording: "Logs and Stumps - Clean and Grindable | tonne | $36.00 | $15.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** No bylaw sets yard waste collection in Coldstream. Landfill fees are set in the RDNO Municipal Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 3021, 2024.
  - Source: [Waste Fees, Regional District of North Okanagan, Diversion & Disposal Fees](https://www.rdno.ca/wastefees)
  - Official wording: "Fees for all RDNO Solid Waste Management Facilities are listed in the Municipal Solid Waste Management Amendment Bylaw No. 3021, 2024."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

There is no regular curbside yard waste collection: the RDNO does not provide it, and the District has no garbage or organics collection.

- **Drop-off:** residential yard and garden waste is free at the Greater Vernon Landfill, 120 Birnie Road. Lumby, Kingfisher and Armstrong/Spallumcheen facilities are also free options, with limited quantities.
- **Chipping:** the District runs a free, seasonal curbside Wood Chipping Initiative for woody debris, by registration. The fall schedule and registration deadline are set each year.

## Steps

1. For the landfill, debag yard and garden waste before you unload.
2. Landfill hours, summer (March 1 to November 30): Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Winter (December 1 to February 28): the same, but Sunday closed.
3. For chipping, register on the District's wood chipping page and set out material under 6 inches in diameter, butt ends all one direction toward the road, at the curb (not on the road). Use a maximum of six piles, each no larger than 3 ft x 3 ft x 8 ft. Do not tie or wrap with wire, rope, plastic or paper.

## Good to know

- **Not accepted in curbside chipping:** roots, dirt or rocks; thorns or invasive species; stumps; fabric; fencing; leaves; gardening waste; commercial pruning or tree disposal material; netting.
- Bulk yard and garden waste at the landfill is charged ($43 per tonne, minimum $10, in 2026). Stumps are charged separately (logs and stumps, clean and grindable, $36 per tonne in 2026).
- No list of materials refused as yard waste at the landfill was found. Ask the RDNO.
- No bylaw sets yard waste collection in Coldstream. Landfill fees are set in the RDNO Municipal Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 3021, 2024.
- Open burning of debris is a separate, permit-only matter (see the backyard fire answer).

## Official forms and pages

- [Wood Chipping Initiative, District of Coldstream](https://www.coldstream.ca/wood-chipping)
- [Greater Vernon Diversion and Disposal Facility, RDNO](https://www.rdno.ca/rdno-services/solid-waste-management/diversion-disposal-facilities/greater-vernon-ddf)
- [RDNO Waste Fees](https://www.rdno.ca/wastefees)

## Related questions

- [Coldstream garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/garbage-collection.md)
- [Coldstream backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/backyard-fire.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Yard waste collection in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/yard-waste.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/yard-waste.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/yard-waste.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/yard-waste.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/yard-waste.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/yard-waste.md)
- [Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/yard-waste.md)

## Sources

- [Wood Chipping Initiative, District of Coldstream](https://www.coldstream.ca/wood-chipping) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Garbage and Recycling, District of Coldstream](https://www.coldstream.ca/community-services/public-works-utilities/garbage-recycling) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Solid Waste Management, Regional District of North Okanagan](https://www.rdno.ca/rdno-services/solid-waste-management) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Greater Vernon Diversion and Disposal Facility, RDNO](https://www.rdno.ca/rdno-services/solid-waste-management/diversion-disposal-facilities/greater-vernon-ddf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Waste Facilities, Regional District of North Okanagan](https://www.rdno.ca/wastefacilities) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Waste Fees, Regional District of North Okanagan](https://www.rdno.ca/wastefees) (read 2026-11-06)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with any government. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/yard-waste/_