---
title: Port Alberni yard waste collection and drop-off
question: "Where does yard waste and brush go?"
place: Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/port-alberni
category: Garbage, recycling and waste
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Port Alberni
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/yard-waste/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/yard-waste.json"
---

# Port Alberni yard waste collection and drop-off

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

**Short answer:** In Port Alberni, grass clippings, tree trimmings and garden waste go in the green organics cart, collected every week. Branches must be no longer than 24 inches (2 feet) and no thicker than 2 inches. Larger loads can go to the Alberni Valley Sort'nGo Centre; residential branches are $10 per load.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Port Alberni, https://www.portalberni.ca)  
**Cost:** Green cart: included in the annual curbside fee. At the Sort'nGo Centre (from Oct. 1, 2026): residential branches $10 per load; organics $115 per tonne ($5 minimum, or $5 per 20 L bucket).  
**How long:** Organics are collected every week.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Public Works (Operations Clerk), 250-720-2840
- In person: Alberni Valley Sort'nGo Centre, 7080 Landfill Road, Port Alberni (Summer (April 16 to Oct. 15): Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Winter (Oct. 16 to April 15): Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed statutory holidays.)

## Key facts

- **Curbside collection:** Yes. Yard waste (grass clippings, tree trimmings, garden waste) goes in the green organics cart, collected every week. Cart lid must close.
  - Source: [Organics, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District](https://www.acrd.bc.ca/organics)
  - Official wording: "you can dispose of grass clippings, tree trimmings and garden waste at the roadside" … "Organics are collected every week."
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 5120, 2025 (consolidated), s. 6.3(a)](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/pages/5120_5120-1_Solid_Waste_Collection_and_Disposal_Bylaw_No_5120_2025_Consolidated_tf.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Organics – kitchen and yard waste – weekly;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to set it out:** Branches in the cart: no longer than 24 inches (2 ft) and no thicker than 2 inches in diameter. Lid must close; maximum cart weights are 45 kg (120 L) or 90 kg (240 L). Only paper bags or newspaper as liners, no plastic bags.
  - Source: [Organics, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District](https://www.acrd.bc.ca/organics)
  - Official wording: "the maximum length for branches in the cart is 24 inches, or two feet, with a two-inch diameter"
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 5120, 2025 (consolidated), Schedule E 1.1](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/pages/5120_5120-1_Solid_Waste_Collection_and_Disposal_Bylaw_No_5120_2025_Consolidated_tf.pdf)
  - Official wording: "120L Green 45 Kilograms (99 lbs)" … "240L Green 90 Kilograms (198 lbs)"
  - Source: [Frequently Asked Questions (curbside collection), FAQ](https://www.portalberni.ca/frequently-asked-questions)
  - Official wording: "Only paper bags and newspaper can be used to line the green cart"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Drop-off:** Alberni Valley Sort'nGo Centre, 7080 Landfill Road. Summer (April 16 to Oct. 15): Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sat-Sun 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Winter (Oct. 16 to April 15): Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sat-Sun 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed statutory holidays.
  - Source: [Alberni Valley Sort'nGo Centre, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, Centre information](https://www.acrd.bc.ca/avsortngocentre)
  - Official wording: "7080 Landfill Road" … "SUMMER HOURS" … "Monday to Friday" … "8 am to 5:30 pm" … "Note: Landfill is closed on Statutory Holidays."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Cost:** Curbside is included in the annual collection fee. At the Sort'nGo Centre: residential branches $10 per load; organics $115 per tonne ($5 minimum, or $5 per 20 L bucket), effective Oct. 1, 2026.
  - Source: [ACRD Bylaw R1029-10, Alberni Valley Landfill Tipping Fee and Regulation Amendment, 2026, Schedule A](https://www.acrd.bc.ca/dms/documents/bylaws/landfill-bylaws/r1029-10_av_landfill_tipping_fee.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Organics $115.00 per tonne $5 minimum. $5 per 20L bucket Residential Branches $10.00 per load Controlled Waste Tipping Fee Other Charges Construction/Demolition Waste $185.00 per tonne $15.00 minimum" … "Mattresses - Commercial, Other $45.00 each Organics $115.00 per tonne $5 minimum. $5 per 20L bucket"
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 5120, 2025 (consolidated), s. 14.1](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/pages/5120_5120-1_Solid_Waste_Collection_and_Disposal_Bylaw_No_5120_2025_Consolidated_tf.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The fees imposed for the Curbside Collection Services under the terms of this Bylaw"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Not accepted:** In the green cart: branches over 2 ft long or 2 in. thick; invasive species such as knotweed and blackberry (put in garbage); plastic bags, including compostable ones; pet feces; foil. Construction refuse, including earth, rocks, trees and stumps from an excavation, may not go in any cart.
  - Source: [Organics, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District](https://www.acrd.bc.ca/organics)
  - Official wording: "Invasive species, such as Knotweeds or blackberry bushes, can not be included in the green cart"
  - Source: [Sort'nGo Sorting Guide (updated August 2023), ACRD, What Stays Out](https://www.acrd.bc.ca/dms/documents/environmental-services/solid-waste-management/2023-avl/sortngo_sorting_guide_2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Plastic bags – even those labeled" … "OVERSIZED BRANCHES" … "PET FECES"
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 5120, 2025 (consolidated), ss. 5.1, 12.1(f)](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/pages/5120_5120-1_Solid_Waste_Collection_and_Disposal_Bylaw_No_5120_2025_Consolidated_tf.pdf)
  - Official wording: "all debris, abandoned or discarded material resulting from the construction or demolition of a building or structure, including without limitation, earth, rocks, trees and stumps resulting from an excavation" … "no person shall deposit in any standard container any: (i) obnoxious matter; (ii) construction refuse;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 5120, 2025 (curbside); drop-off charges are set by the Regional District of Alberni-Clayoquot Alberni Valley Landfill Tipping Fee and Regulation Bylaw R1029, amended by R1029-10, 2026.
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 5120, 2025 (consolidated), s. 1.1](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/pages/5120_5120-1_Solid_Waste_Collection_and_Disposal_Bylaw_No_5120_2025_Consolidated_tf.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 5120,"
  - Source: [ACRD Bylaw R1029-10, Alberni Valley Landfill Tipping Fee and Regulation Amendment, 2026, s. 2](https://www.acrd.bc.ca/dms/documents/bylaws/landfill-bylaws/r1029-10_av_landfill_tipping_fee.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Alberni Valley Landfill Tipping Fee and Regulation Amendment Bylaw No. R1029-10, 2026"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Yard waste goes in the green organics cart, collected every week under the [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 5120](<https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/pages/5120_5120-1_Solid_Waste_Collection_and_Disposal_Bylaw_No_5120_2025_Consolidated_tf.pdf>). The cart lid must close. The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) runs the landfill and drop-off centre, and sets drop-off charges in its Bylaw R1029.

## Steps

1. Put grass clippings, tree trimmings and garden waste in the green cart.
2. Cut branches to no more than 24 inches (2 feet) long and 2 inches thick.
3. Maximum cart weights are 45 kg (120 L) or 90 kg (240 L). Use only paper bags or newspaper as liners.
4. For larger loads, take them to the Alberni Valley Sort'nGo Centre at 7080 Landfill Road and pay the fee in [ACRD Bylaw R1029-10](<https://www.acrd.bc.ca/dms/documents/bylaws/landfill-bylaws/r1029-10_av_landfill_tipping_fee.pdf>), Schedule A.

## Good to know

- Not for the green cart: branches over 2 ft long or 2 in. thick; invasive species such as knotweed and blackberry (put them in the garbage); plastic bags, including compostable ones; pet feces; foil.
- Construction refuse, including earth, rocks, trees and stumps from an excavation, may not go in any cart.
- Sort'nGo Centre hours are in the contact details above; the ACRD page lists them as closed on statutory holidays.
- Burning yard waste is prohibited; see the backyard fire answer.

## Official forms and pages

- [ACRD Bylaw R1029-10, Alberni Valley Landfill Tipping Fee and Regulation Amendment, 2026 (PDF)](https://www.acrd.bc.ca/dms/documents/bylaws/landfill-bylaws/r1029-10_av_landfill_tipping_fee.pdf)
- [Alberni Valley Sort'nGo Centre, ACRD](https://www.acrd.bc.ca/avsortngocentre)
- [Sort'nGo Sorting Guide (PDF)](https://www.acrd.bc.ca/dms/documents/environmental-services/solid-waste-management/2023-avl/sortngo_sorting_guide_2023.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Port Alberni garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/garbage-collection.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Yard waste collection in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/yard-waste.md)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/yard-waste.md)
- [Parksville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/yard-waste.md)
- [Cumberland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/yard-waste.md)
- [Comox](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/yard-waste.md)
- [Courtenay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/yard-waste.md)
- [Lantzville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/yard-waste.md)

## Sources

- [Organics, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District](https://www.acrd.bc.ca/organics) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Alberni Valley Sort'nGo Centre, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District](https://www.acrd.bc.ca/avsortngocentre) (read 2026-11-05)
- [ACRD Bylaw R1029-10, Alberni Valley Landfill Tipping Fee and Regulation Amendment, 2026 (PDF)](https://www.acrd.bc.ca/dms/documents/bylaws/landfill-bylaws/r1029-10_av_landfill_tipping_fee.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Sort'nGo Sorting Guide (updated August 2023), ACRD (PDF)](https://www.acrd.bc.ca/dms/documents/environmental-services/solid-waste-management/2023-avl/sortngo_sorting_guide_2023.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 5120, 2025 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/pages/5120_5120-1_Solid_Waste_Collection_and_Disposal_Bylaw_No_5120_2025_Consolidated_tf.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Frequently Asked Questions (curbside collection), City of Port Alberni](https://www.portalberni.ca/frequently-asked-questions) (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 City of Port Alberni. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/yard-waste/_