Organics Collection

The City has begun the process of expanding the organics service city-wide, providing a free organics waste cart to every household in every neighbourhood. The automated collection service is tentatively scheduled for an as-yet-to-be-determined date in 2023.

The qathet Regional District is working towards local processing of organic materials with the construction of a resource recovery centre.

Organics curbside collection is currently a pilot program involving 400 households situated in every neighbourhood of Powell River. Since implementing the pilot in 2017, over 650,000 kilograms of organic waste has been diverted from landfills.

If you are currently part of the organics pilot program, here’s what to do:

• Have materials at the curb by 7:30 am.

• Ensure materials are placed in a clearly visible location at your property’s edge or at the end of your driveway.

• Please leave adequate space (one-to-three feet) between bins for automated collection.

• Put organic items loosely in bin.

• Please do not line the bin with bags.

• Ensure bin is only full of acceptable materials, including food scraps, yard waste, food-soiled paper/cardboard, paper coffee filters, coffee grounds, tea bags and wooden utensils.

• The only accepted bags are paper “Bag-To-Earth” brand.

• Only use City provided carts.

• Tree branches should be smaller than one inch in diameter.

• Your cart will be deemed contaminated and rejected if it contains invasive species (blackberry, knotweed, ivy, broom, etc.), biodegradable plastic products, pet waste or biohazard waste.

Would you like more information on what items are accepted materials? Start with the Waste Wizard, available online, or the qathet Waste Wise app on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, or the Waste Wise Guide online. If that doesn’t give you the answer you’re looking for, contact:

Operational Services Secretary
opssecretary@powellriver.ca or
604-485-8657

Let’s Talk Trash Team

Not part of the Organics Curbside Collection Pilot?

Even if you’re not part of the pilot project, you can make a difference. You can divert your kitchen organics (table scraps) from your garbage and self-haul to a depot. Choose a collection container easy to reuse, keep clean and transport. To help keep it clean, paper “Bag-To-Earth” brand bags are allowed, or line with paper towels, scrap paper or newspaper. Freeze or keep in a sealable container to cut down on odours and fruit flies.

If you are not part of the pilot program, please take your organics to:

Kitchen/Food Waste:

Take small loads to:

• Town Centre Recycling Depot (behind Rona)

• Free drop off Mon-Sat 8 am - 5:30 pm

Take loads over 9 kilograms (20lbs) to:

• Sunshine Disposal and Recycling

• Wed/Fri/Sat 10 am – 4 pm

NOTE: Max. Load 2 cubic yards (approximately size of a refrigerator)

Yard Waste:

• Sunshine Disposal & Recycling

• Wed/Fri/Sat 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Only.

NOTE: Max. Load 2 cubic yards (approximately size of a refrigerator)

• Augusta Recyclers

• Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

• Tipping Fees Apply

NOTE: Max 1 inch diameter at the saw cut for branches/stumps

At this time, organic waste collected within the City of Powell River is transported to Salish Soils in Sechelt, B.C. where it is transformed into nutrient rich soils. Planning for local processing of organics materials is in progress!! The qathet Regional District is working towards this in hopes to be operational in 2023.

For more information on schedules and routes go here.