Nelson yard waste collection and drop-off

Where does yard waste and brush go?

Nelson, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

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.Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198, s. 1 Prohibited Waste, s. 17; Waste Management, Requirements · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Grass clippings, leaves, tree prunings, scrap lumber or logs; Prohibited Waste; NOT include garden clippings or construction material.
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.Yard and Garden Waste, Seasonal Free Tipping, RDCK, Notes; Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198, s. 1 definition of Yard Waste · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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. includes prunings up to 1 meter in length and 5 centimeters in circumference.
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.Resource Recovery User Guide, Central Sub-Region, Hours of Operation; Yard and Garden Waste, Seasonal Free Tipping, RDCK, Notes; Facility Operating Hours \| Regional District of Central Kootenay, Grohman Narrows (Nelson) Transfer Station · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Grohman Narrows (Nelson) Transfer Sta on and Recycling Depot (SATELLITE) 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 Monday to Saturday \| 8:30 am – 5:30 pm Closed on all Statutory Holidays
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).Yard and Garden Waste, Seasonal Free Tipping, RDCK; Disposal Fees, RDCK, Changes to Tipping Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 Yard & Garden Waste \| $70.75/tonne or $14.00/m3
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.Yard and Garden Waste, Seasonal Free Tipping, RDCK, What is NOT Yard & Garden Waste? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording tree stumps; Noxious Weeds; rocks, sand and Waste Soil; fruit or vegetable material;
Bylaw	City: Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 3198, 2011. Drop-off: RDCK Resource Recovery Facilities Regulatory Bylaw No. 3065, 2025.Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198, Citation; Disposal Fees, RDCK · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 3198, 2011 Resource Recovery Facility Regulatory Bylaw No. 3065, 2025

How it works

Under the Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198, 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

Load the material loose and secure it for transport.
Declare the load to the attendant for weighing or volume calculation.
Tip it loose. You must empty and take away any bags yourself.
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.