Nelson garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits
When is garbage collected in Nelson, and how do garbage tags work?
Short answer
The City of Nelson collects household garbage curbside in tagged plastic bags. Each bag must weigh under 20 kg and carry a City tag ($1.75; $17.50 for a sheet of 10). Put bags out on your collection day, no earlier than 5 a.m., and by 7 a.m. to be sure of pick-up. Find your day on the City's map.
Key facts
| How often | Not confirmed. Neither the City's pages nor the bylaw state how often garbage is collected. |
|---|---|
| Finding your day | Use the City's Garbage and Recycling Collection Map (PDF), which shows the collection day for each address. Garbage and recycling are on the same collection day schedule.Garbage and Recycling Collection Map; Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198 (consolidated to May 9, 2023), s. 1 definition of Collection Day · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording591 597 569 604 567 594 GARBAGE & RECYCLING 559 570 598 1702 564 553 558 590 577 554 548 569 605 559 1624 COLLECTION MAP 601 606 555 570 549 595 541 means the day scheduled for collection of garbage and recyclables from a property in accordance with the schedule |
| Carts | No carts for garbage: it goes in plastic bags (up to 66 cm by 97 cm) with a City tag, and City employees do not lift garbage cans. Recycling goes in a blue bin with a lid, up to 121 litres.Waste Management, Use; Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198 (consolidated to May 9, 2023), s. 16, 22 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingGarbage cans will not be lifted by City employees plastic disposable garbage bags sized no greater than 66 cm by 97 cm is blue in colour with a tight-fitting lid designed for manual collection, is sized no greater than 121 litres in volume, |
| Setting carts out | On collection day only, no earlier than 5 a.m.; the City guarantees pick-up if out by 7 a.m. Place bags (or a can holding bags) and blue bins in full view at the edge of the road without blocking traffic; on lanes, where reachable without entering private property.Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198 (consolidated to May 9, 2023), s. 18, 19, 23 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingplace all garbage bags (or a garbage can containing garbage bags) out no earlier than 5:00 a.m. The City guarantees garbage collection if all garbage bags (or a garbage can containing garbage bags) are placed out by 7:00 a.m. as close as possible to the edge of the travelled way serving the property without obstructing traffic; |
| Limits and extra garbage | Each bag no more than 20 kg (44 lb) and no larger than 66 cm by 97 cm, tied shut, with a City tag. Tags cost $1.75 each (sheets of 10 for $17.50). No garden clippings or construction material. Blue bin contents also under 20 kg.Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198 (consolidated to May 9, 2023), s. 16, 18; Waste Management, Requirements, Garbage Tags; Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule O · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingContents within garbage bags shall not exceed 20 kilograms (44 pounds) in weight. attach one adhesive garbage disposal tag on each sealed garbage bag Garbage tags are available in sheets of 10 tags for $17.50. NOT include garden clippings or construction material. Disposal $1.75 per tag |
| Fee | Annual collection fee: $175 for a single-family home; $350 for a two-family dwelling; $175 for a legal secondary suite in a single-family home; $150 for multi-family (properties up to 10 units). Plus a $1.75 tag on each garbage bag.Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule O · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingSingle Family Collection $175.00 Two-Family Dwelling Unit Collection $350.00 Legal secondary suite within a Collection $175.00 Multi-Family Dwelling Unit Collection $150.00 Disposal $1.75 per tag |
| Bylaw | Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 3198, 2011. Fees are in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092, 2008, Schedule O.Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198 (consolidated to May 9, 2023), Citation; Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule O · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingWaste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 3198, 2011 SCHEDULE "O" TO FEES AND CHARGES BYLAW NO. 3092, 2008 |
How it works
Under the Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198, Nelson collects household garbage and recycling on the same collection-day schedule. Garbage goes in plastic bags (no larger than 66 cm by 97 cm) with a City tag. Garbage bags can be held in a can, but City employees lift the bags out and do not lift cans. Recycling goes in a blue bin with a lid, up to 121 litres. How often collection happens is not stated on the City pages or in the bylaw, which says "as set by Council policy". Use the collection map or ask Public Works.
Steps
- Look up your collection day on the City's Garbage and Recycling Collection Map, or call Public Works at 250-352-8238.
- Buy tags at City Hall or a listed store: Safeway, Uphill Market, KTK Rosemont Market, Nelson Pharmasave, Save-On-Foods, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Wings Grocery, Hipperson Home Hardware, Nelson Home Building Centre, Ellison's Market or Kootenay Co-op.
- Tie each bag shut. Each must be no more than 20 kg (44 lb), with a City tag easily visible. No garden clippings or construction material.
- On collection day only, no earlier than 5 a.m., set bags (or a can holding bags) and blue bins in full view at the edge of the road without blocking traffic. On lanes, place them where they can be reached without entering private property.
Good to know
- Untagged, wrong-size, overweight or torn bags are left behind.
- Until collection day, store garbage securely: indoors, in a shed or in a wildlife-resistant container.
- Blue bin contents must also weigh under 20 kg.
- No limit on the number of bags was found.
What you'll need
- Garbage and Recycling Collection Map (PDF) to find your collection day
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Castlegar · Slocan · Salmo · Fruitvale · Montrose · Trail
Garbage collection in British Columbia: frequency, limits and fees by municipality →
Sources
- Waste Management, City of Nelson (read 2026-11-05)
- Waste Management, City of Nelson (Public Works contact) (read 2026-11-05)
- Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198 (consolidated to May 9, 2023) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule O (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Garbage and Recycling Collection Map (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.