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Waste & recycling in Vernon, BC

The City provides automated garbage and organics collection to eligible residences. Recycle BC separately manages residential packaging and paper recycling, while the Regional District of North Okanagan operates local disposal facilities.

Weekly organics Biweekly garbage Recycle BC collection Greater Vernon Landfill

At a glance

  • Municipality: City of Vernon
  • Region: Regional District of North Okanagan
  • Garbage: City cart every second week for eligible homes
  • Organics: City cart every week for eligible homes
  • Recycling: Recycle BC service on the address-specific schedule
  • Regional disposal: Greater Vernon Landfill
Check City collection schedule Check recycling schedule

What can go into a dumpster in Vernon?

A rented dumpster is private service. Confirm accepted materials, required separation, destination, weight allowance and extra charges with both the hauler and receiving facility before loading.

RDNO charges higher rates for construction and demolition waste and for refuse containing regulated material. Separating reusable, recyclable and divertible streams before hauling can reduce disposal costs.

Common private-bin loads (confirm first)

  • Non-hazardous household cleanout waste
  • Furniture accepted by the hauler and facility
  • Construction and demolition debris accepted at the Greater Vernon Landfill
  • Source-separated clean wood, concrete, drywall, metal or other divertible material

Keep out unless specifically approved

  • Electronics, batteries, paint, fuel, pesticides and household chemicals
  • Recyclable packaging, commercial cardboard and other regulated material mixed with garbage
  • Asbestos-containing material and other controlled waste without RDNO pre-approval
  • Liquids, biomedical waste, hot or smouldering material and other prohibited waste

Electronics and hazardous waste are not accepted at RDNO landfills. Use the regional What Goes Where tool and obtain advance approval for controlled waste.

How residential collection works

Eligible residences use standardized automated carts for City garbage and organics. Recycle BC provides a separate packaging and paper program to single-family homes and select multi-family properties.

Set-out and sorting basics

Use the current address-based schedules and program guides:

  • Set out organics every week and garbage every second week
  • Place City carts out by 7:00 a.m. with lids fully closed and material able to fall freely
  • Bag and tie garbage; keep food and accepted yard material in the organics stream
  • Use only BPI-certified compostable bags or accepted paper liners for organics
  • Sort Recycle BC paper, containers and glass as directed in the current North Okanagan guide
  • Keep flexible plastics and foam packaging out of curbside boxes and take them to a participating depot

Apartments and larger multi-family properties may not receive the same curbside services. Residents without City curbside organics may use the community kitchen-organics bin; yard waste and commercial material are not accepted there.

Schedules and sorting tools

Garbage, organics and recycling responsibilities are split. Use the tool for the applicable stream and address.

City collection schedule
Find the garbage and organics collection zone and current guide.
Check City schedule
Recycle BC North Okanagan
Check recycling dates, sorting instructions and depot locations.
Check recycling
RDNO What Goes Where
Find a local reuse, recycling or disposal option for a specific item.
Search an item

Drop-off and disposal for Vernon

The Greater Vernon Landfill accepts residential and commercial garbage plus listed separated materials. Product-stewardship depots handle many recyclable and hazardous products that the landfill does not accept.

Secure every load and separate divertible material before arrival. Review current seasonal hours, fees and controlled-waste requirements before visiting.

The landfill is normally closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Hours and fees vary by season and material.

Greater Vernon Landfill

The RDNO disposal and diversion facility serving Vernon, Coldstream and nearby electoral areas.

  • 120 Birnie Road, about 4 km south of Vernon on Highway 97
  • Weekday hours are normally 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
  • Weekend hours change between the March–November and December–February seasons
  • Residential and commercial garbage plus listed separated diversion streams are accepted
  • Electronics and hazardous waste are not accepted
Check landfill details

Recycling and hazardous-waste depots

Local participating depots accept packaging, electronics, batteries, paint and other stewardship products according to program rules.

  • Search by exact material before choosing a location
  • Interior Freight and Bottle Depot operates the regional household hazardous-waste program
  • Residential quantity limits and business exclusions may apply
  • Keep products labelled, upright and secured during transport
Find the correct depot

Large items, dumpster rental or junk removal?

Vernon does not advertise routine municipal curbside bulky-item pickup. Reuse suitable goods, self-haul accepted material to the correct facility or arrange a private service.

Private hauling or bin rental

For cleanouts and project waste

Confirm accepted materials, sorting, weight allowance, destination, surcharges and placement responsibility in writing.

Review disposal restrictions

Self-haul and extra garbage

For material beyond cart limits

Use City Tag-a-Bag stickers for eligible extra curbside garbage, or take accepted sorted loads to the landfill. Obtain approval before bringing controlled or unusual bulky waste.

Review collection FAQCheck landfill fees

Placing dumpsters and storage containers

Keep containers entirely on suitable private property where possible. Before occupying or affecting a City road right-of-way, contact the City and obtain the applicable Road Right of Way Usage Permit.

The City’s permit conditions state that processing may require seven working days and work may begin no earlier than 48 hours after permit issuance. Do not schedule public-space placement before approval.

Plan private-property placement

  • Keep the bin and service vehicle clear of sidewalks, bike lanes and roads.
  • Protect pavement, drainage, utilities and overhead clearance.
  • Maintain emergency access, sightlines and safe pedestrian travel.

For right-of-way impacts

  • Contact the City before arranging delivery.
  • Submit the permit package with the location, work description and required traffic plan.
  • Allow at least the stated seven-working-day processing period.
  • Keep the approved permit and drawings on site and follow all insurance, traffic and restoration conditions.
Official resources:Vernon road right-of-way permitGreater Vernon LandfillRDNO What Goes Where

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