---
title: Nelson yard waste collection and drop-off
question: "Where does yard waste and brush go?"
place: Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/nelson
category: Garbage, recycling and waste
owner: shared
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/yard-waste/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/yard-waste.json"
---

# Nelson yard waste collection and drop-off

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

**Short answer:** In Nelson, yard waste does not go in curbside garbage bags, and the City describes no separate curbside yard waste collection. Take it to the RDCK Grohman Narrows Transfer Station, 1201 Insight Drive. It is free in May and October only; otherwise the 2026 fee is $70.75 per tonne or $14 per m3.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** Free in May and October only (one pick-up truck load per customer per day). Otherwise $70.75 per tonne or $14 per m3 (RDCK, fees as of January 1, 2026).  
**Where:**
- In person: Grohman Narrows (Nelson) Transfer Station, 1201 Insight Drive, Nelson, BC (Monday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; closed on all statutory holidays (confirm with the RDCK))
- Phone: RDCK Resource Recovery, 250-352-8161

## Key facts

- **Curbside collection:** Not part of garbage collection: grass clippings, leaves, tree prunings and logs may not go in garbage bags, and the City's garbage page says no garden clippings. The City's waste pages describe no separate curbside yard waste collection.
  - Source: [Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198, s. 1 Prohibited Waste, s. 17](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/13458)
  - Official wording: "Grass clippings, leaves, tree prunings, scrap lumber or logs;" … "Prohibited Waste;"
  - Source: [Waste Management, Requirements](https://www.nelson.ca/368/Waste)
  - Official wording: "NOT include garden clippings or construction material."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to set it out:** At the RDCK drop-off, loads must be secured for transport and tipped loose; bags must be emptied and removed by the customer. Branches count as yard waste at 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 inches) across. The City's bylaw defines yard waste prunings as up to 1 m long and 5 cm round.
  - Source: [Yard and Garden Waste, Seasonal Free Tipping, RDCK, Notes](https://rdck.ca/environmental-service/environmental-services/waste-recycling/household-hazardous-waste-round-up/yard-garden-waste-seasonal-free-tipping/)
  - Official wording: "All Yard and Garden waste must be secured during transportation and must be tipped as loose material. ALL BAGS MUST BE EMPTIED AND REMOVED BY THE CUSTOMER." … "shrub and tree branches between 5 – 15 cm (2 – 6″) in diameter."
  - Source: [Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198, s. 1 definition of Yard Waste](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/13458)
  - Official wording: "includes prunings up to 1 meter in length and 5 centimeters in circumference."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Drop-off:** RDCK Grohman Narrows (Nelson) Transfer Station, 1201 Insight Drive. Open Monday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; closed on all statutory holidays. During the free months, one pick-up truck load per customer per day. RDCK 250-352-8161.
  - Source: [Resource Recovery User Guide, Central Sub-Region, Hours of Operation](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Bylaw3065_2025-RRUserGuide-Brochure-Central_Effective_2026-04-01.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Grohman Narrows (Nelson) Transfer Sta on and Recycling Depot (SATELLITE)"
  - Source: [Yard and Garden Waste, Seasonal Free Tipping, RDCK, Notes](https://rdck.ca/environmental-service/environmental-services/waste-recycling/household-hazardous-waste-round-up/yard-garden-waste-seasonal-free-tipping/)
  - Official wording: "Disposals are limited to one pick-up truck load per customer, per day." … "Residential loads equivalent to one pick-up truck bed (less than 2.5m3) can be deposited at transfer stations." … "250.352.8161"
  - Source: [Facility Operating Hours | Regional District of Central Kootenay, Grohman Narrows (Nelson) Transfer Station](https://www.rdck.ca/environmental-services/resourcerecovery/rrfacilities/)
  - Official wording: "Monday to Saturday | 8:30 am – 5:30 pm" … "Closed on all Statutory Holidays"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Cost:** Free in May and October only, at the Grohman Narrows (Nelson) Transfer Station. At other times the 2026 fee is $70.75 per tonne or $14 per m³ (RDCK).
  - Source: [Yard and Garden Waste, Seasonal Free Tipping, RDCK](https://rdck.ca/environmental-service/environmental-services/waste-recycling/household-hazardous-waste-round-up/yard-garden-waste-seasonal-free-tipping/)
  - Official wording: "During the months of May and October (only) the following Resource Recovery Facilities accept Yard & Garden waste for FREE:" … "Grohman Narrows (Nelson) Transfer Station"
  - Source: [Disposal Fees, RDCK, Changes to Tipping Fees](https://www.rdck.ca/environmental-services/resourcerecovery/user-fees/)
  - Official wording: "Yard & Garden Waste | $70.75/tonne or $14.00/m3"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Not accepted:** Not yard and garden waste at the RDCK (charged their own tipping fees): tree stumps, noxious weeds, rocks, sand and soil, fruit or vegetable material, chipped wood waste, food waste and other compostables, and plants flagged by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
  - Source: [Yard and Garden Waste, Seasonal Free Tipping, RDCK, What is NOT Yard & Garden Waste?](https://rdck.ca/environmental-service/environmental-services/waste-recycling/household-hazardous-waste-round-up/yard-garden-waste-seasonal-free-tipping/)
  - Official wording: "tree stumps;" … "Noxious Weeds;" … "rocks, sand and Waste Soil;" … "fruit or vegetable material;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City: Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 3198, 2011. Drop-off: RDCK Resource Recovery Facilities Regulatory Bylaw No. 3065, 2025.
  - Source: [Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198, Citation](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/13458)
  - Official wording: "Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 3198, 2011"
  - Source: [Disposal Fees, RDCK](https://www.rdck.ca/environmental-services/resourcerecovery/user-fees/)
  - Official wording: "Resource Recovery Facility Regulatory Bylaw No. 3065, 2025"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/13458), grass clippings, leaves, tree prunings and logs may not go in garbage bags, and the City's garbage page says no garden clippings. The City's waste pages describe no curbside yard waste collection. The RDCK (regional district) takes yard and garden waste at the Grohman Narrows (Nelson) Transfer Station.

The RDCK counts as yard and garden waste hedge clippings, weeds, shrubs and branches 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 inches) across. The City's bylaw defines yard waste prunings as up to 1 m long and 5 cm round.

## Steps

1. Load the material loose and secure it for transport.
2. Declare the load to the attendant for weighing or volume calculation.
3. Tip it loose. You must empty and take away any bags yourself.
4. Pay the fee, or nothing in May or October.

## Good to know

- Free months: one pick-up truck load per customer per day. Commercial loads and loads over 2.5 m3 must go to a landfill during the free months.
- Not yard and garden waste, and charged their own tipping fees: tree stumps, noxious weeds, rocks, sand and soil, fruit or vegetable material, chipped wood waste, food waste and other compostables, and plants flagged by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
- Call the RDCK at 250-352-8161 to confirm hours.

## Official forms and pages

- [Yard and Garden Waste, Seasonal Free Tipping, RDCK](https://rdck.ca/environmental-service/environmental-services/waste-recycling/household-hazardous-waste-round-up/yard-garden-waste-seasonal-free-tipping/)

## Related questions

- [Nelson garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/garbage-collection.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Yard waste collection in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/yard-waste.md)
- [Castlegar](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/yard-waste.md)
- [Salmo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmo/yard-waste.md)
- [Fruitvale](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/yard-waste.md)
- [Trail](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/yard-waste.md)
- [Warfield](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/warfield/yard-waste.md)
- [Rossland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/yard-waste.md)

## Sources

- [Yard and Garden Waste, Seasonal Free Tipping, RDCK](https://rdck.ca/environmental-service/environmental-services/waste-recycling/household-hazardous-waste-round-up/yard-garden-waste-seasonal-free-tipping/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Disposal Fees, RDCK](https://www.rdck.ca/environmental-services/resourcerecovery/user-fees/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Waste Management, City of Nelson](https://www.nelson.ca/368/Waste) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198 (PDF)](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/13458) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Resource Recovery User Guide, Central Sub-Region](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Bylaw3065_2025-RRUserGuide-Brochure-Central_Effective_2026-04-01.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Facility Operating Hours | Regional District of Central Kootenay](https://www.rdck.ca/environmental-services/resourcerecovery/rrfacilities/) (read 2026-11-05)

_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/nelson/yard-waste/_