New Green Bin Program - RDKB Kootenay Region

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Do you live in Trail? Rossland? Warfield? Montrose? Fruitvale? Area A? Area B?


October 1, 2023

Curbside Green-Bin organics and kitchen scraps collection will begin

This Join the Conversation page is set-up to give you the information you need for this exciting new program. Whether you are looking for information about what items you can put in your green bin (and what items are not accepted), or if you need information on how to prevent food waste, or maybe you have a question, this is your 'One-Stop-Shop' for all things green bin and organics!

Check back here frequently for up to date information and if you have a question, check the questions and comments section at the bottom of this page (or the FAQs tab), if your question isn't answered, send us one!

Going Greener

As part of the Regional District’s commitment to Zero Waste Goals and efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, a new waste reduction program will be launched targeting the diversion of food waste and kitchen scraps in the McKelvey Creek Wasteshed (which includes Trail, Rossland, Warfield, Montrose, Fruitvale and Area A and B).

Upcoming Changes

To facilitate the green bin program, agreements have been reached with municipalities of Trail, Rossland, Warfield and Fruitvale to allow for the transition of garbage collection services to the Regional District. Garbage collection will be a user-pay, bag-tag system that will allow for the dual collection of garbage and food waste at the same time using split packer trucks. These trucks have separate collection compartments for each waste type, so that one does not contaminate the other. Currently, up to 38% of landfill waste is compostable organics.

Why Use Your Green Bin?

Using your green bin is smart - for both your wallet and the environment.

Reduce your Disposal Costs - There is no charge for residential curbside green bin collection, so by putting kitchen waste in the green bin, you will reduce your garbage and save money with the new user-pay bag tag system.

Extends the life of the landfill - By diverting organic waste from the landfill, you are helping conserve valuable landfill space. Landfill expansion projects are very costly and time consuming, so it makes sense (and cents!) to keep organics out.

Reduces greenhouse gas emissions - Organic waste buried in a landfill decomposes anaerobically - without oxygen - releasing methane greenhouse gases. By diverting organics from the landfill we expect to see an annual average reduction of 2,225 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the diversion of 877 to 1451 metric tonnes of food waste. This equates to 495 cars driven for one year. By composting organic waste, greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced.

It creates compost - a valuable resource! - Our food waste will be composted at the Central Salmo Composting Facility operated by the RDCK. By using your green bin, you will help create a valuable Class A marketable compost.

What to expect this August 2023

Green bins, along with educational materials and a kitchen tote, will be delivered to residents in August. 80L sized bins that are considered “critter resistant” (racoons, skunks, rats, etc.) will be the standard bin size distributed. The RDKB has purchased a limited number of “bear resistant” bins that will be available under a trade-in program. Residents will be required to exchange the standard bin and pay the difference in cost to receive the bear resistant bin.

Starting October 1, 2023

Residential curbside collection in the McKelvey Creek Wasteshed will be as follows:

  • For the communities of Trail, Rossland, Warfield, Fruitvale and Electoral Areas A and B, weekly collection of garbage and green bin (food waste) will occur. Residents must use RDKB garbage tags only for the user-pay garbage component.
  • Garbage tags will be available for purchase from local businesses and local government offices at a cost of $3.00 each, details are to follow.
  • For the community of Montrose, weekly collection of green bin (food waste) will be provided by the RDKB. Garbage collection services will be maintained by the Village of Montrose.

The RDKB has awarded the contract to GFL Environmental Inc who will provide the residential curbside collection of garbage and green bin food waste.

Food Waste accepted in the green bin will include items such as meat, bones, left over cooked food, grease and other food waste that should not be included in a backyard composter. No plastics of any kinds will be accepted in the green bin program, including bin liners labelled biodegradable or compostable. Only kraft paper bags or “Bag to Earth” bin liners will be accepted in the program.

No Plastics Please!

The RDKB is grateful for the approximately $700,000 in grant funding from the Province that will assist with the implementation of the project, including public education, collection bin supply and distribution.

If you are a resident of Trail, Warfield, Rossland or Fruitvale, please contact your local municipal office if you have questions regarding the transition of garbage collection and how this will impact your current program and utility billing.

Stay tuned for more information and sign up to this “Join the Conversation” page for updates.



Do you live in Trail? Rossland? Warfield? Montrose? Fruitvale? Area A? Area B?


October 1, 2023

Curbside Green-Bin organics and kitchen scraps collection will begin

This Join the Conversation page is set-up to give you the information you need for this exciting new program. Whether you are looking for information about what items you can put in your green bin (and what items are not accepted), or if you need information on how to prevent food waste, or maybe you have a question, this is your 'One-Stop-Shop' for all things green bin and organics!

Check back here frequently for up to date information and if you have a question, check the questions and comments section at the bottom of this page (or the FAQs tab), if your question isn't answered, send us one!

Going Greener

As part of the Regional District’s commitment to Zero Waste Goals and efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, a new waste reduction program will be launched targeting the diversion of food waste and kitchen scraps in the McKelvey Creek Wasteshed (which includes Trail, Rossland, Warfield, Montrose, Fruitvale and Area A and B).

Upcoming Changes

To facilitate the green bin program, agreements have been reached with municipalities of Trail, Rossland, Warfield and Fruitvale to allow for the transition of garbage collection services to the Regional District. Garbage collection will be a user-pay, bag-tag system that will allow for the dual collection of garbage and food waste at the same time using split packer trucks. These trucks have separate collection compartments for each waste type, so that one does not contaminate the other. Currently, up to 38% of landfill waste is compostable organics.

Why Use Your Green Bin?

Using your green bin is smart - for both your wallet and the environment.

Reduce your Disposal Costs - There is no charge for residential curbside green bin collection, so by putting kitchen waste in the green bin, you will reduce your garbage and save money with the new user-pay bag tag system.

Extends the life of the landfill - By diverting organic waste from the landfill, you are helping conserve valuable landfill space. Landfill expansion projects are very costly and time consuming, so it makes sense (and cents!) to keep organics out.

Reduces greenhouse gas emissions - Organic waste buried in a landfill decomposes anaerobically - without oxygen - releasing methane greenhouse gases. By diverting organics from the landfill we expect to see an annual average reduction of 2,225 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the diversion of 877 to 1451 metric tonnes of food waste. This equates to 495 cars driven for one year. By composting organic waste, greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced.

It creates compost - a valuable resource! - Our food waste will be composted at the Central Salmo Composting Facility operated by the RDCK. By using your green bin, you will help create a valuable Class A marketable compost.

What to expect this August 2023

Green bins, along with educational materials and a kitchen tote, will be delivered to residents in August. 80L sized bins that are considered “critter resistant” (racoons, skunks, rats, etc.) will be the standard bin size distributed. The RDKB has purchased a limited number of “bear resistant” bins that will be available under a trade-in program. Residents will be required to exchange the standard bin and pay the difference in cost to receive the bear resistant bin.

Starting October 1, 2023

Residential curbside collection in the McKelvey Creek Wasteshed will be as follows:

  • For the communities of Trail, Rossland, Warfield, Fruitvale and Electoral Areas A and B, weekly collection of garbage and green bin (food waste) will occur. Residents must use RDKB garbage tags only for the user-pay garbage component.
  • Garbage tags will be available for purchase from local businesses and local government offices at a cost of $3.00 each, details are to follow.
  • For the community of Montrose, weekly collection of green bin (food waste) will be provided by the RDKB. Garbage collection services will be maintained by the Village of Montrose.

The RDKB has awarded the contract to GFL Environmental Inc who will provide the residential curbside collection of garbage and green bin food waste.

Food Waste accepted in the green bin will include items such as meat, bones, left over cooked food, grease and other food waste that should not be included in a backyard composter. No plastics of any kinds will be accepted in the green bin program, including bin liners labelled biodegradable or compostable. Only kraft paper bags or “Bag to Earth” bin liners will be accepted in the program.

No Plastics Please!

The RDKB is grateful for the approximately $700,000 in grant funding from the Province that will assist with the implementation of the project, including public education, collection bin supply and distribution.

If you are a resident of Trail, Warfield, Rossland or Fruitvale, please contact your local municipal office if you have questions regarding the transition of garbage collection and how this will impact your current program and utility billing.

Stay tuned for more information and sign up to this “Join the Conversation” page for updates.


Questions & Comments - send them to our Green Bin Team

If you've got a question, our team loves answering them!

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    I think the green bin in an amazing addition to our region. I live in a multi unit building and was wondering what the options to participate will be for these residents?

    Tessa Jones asked about 7 hours ago

    Thank-you Tessa!  We too think the green bin program will be an amazing addition to our area!  

    Great question with regards to multi-unit buildings.  Our collections program will be targeting multi-unit buildings up to a maximum of 4 units or less.  For example, duplex, triplex and 4 plex units that presently have curbside access will be included in the program.  

    A multi-unit building that has more than 4 units (most apartment blocks) will not meet the requirements for this collection program. Be aware that you can still participate in kitchen scraps organics collection.  If your building has more than 4 units, please reach out to your property manager or landlord to inquire about services.  

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    While I applaud the RDKB for instituting organics collection, the standard green bins RDKB is proposing are obviously inadequate for areas with bears (such as Rossland, where I live). What actions will be taken to ensure bears don't get into these bins and subsequently have to be destroyed? Surely not every resident will want or be able to pay for the upgraded bear bins. It seems that at this point RDKB is not proposing any functional solution to the issue of bears getting into these compost bins. We need a comprehensive solution to this issue and could stand to learn from communities like Canmore, Whistler, and Truckee, CA that also deal with bears on a regular basis.

    William asked 16 days ago

    Thank-you for your comments, William. 

    We appreciate your concerns regarding bear-human conflicts.  Residents have always been responsible for their garbage, with storage at home, and placement on collection day.  This responsibility also includes proper management of BBQs, fruit trees, bird feeders and back yard chicken coops.  We will be asking residents to treat their green bins in the same responsible manner with proper storage, and when bringing their green bins to the curbside on collection days.  

    We have many ‘tips and tricks’ to secure our bins, here are a few for example:

    1. Store your garbage and green bins in a closed, locked garage or shed.  Even if empty – bins will hold a residual smell
    2. If a bin is stored outside, anchor it to a post using a cable so that it can’t be dragged away.
    3. Place bins at the roadside only on the morning of collection – never the night before.  
    4. Minimize odours by freezing meat and other smelly food scraps, and don’t put them in the green bin until collection day


    The Bear resistant Bins that the RDKB will be offering residents in a trade-in program this fall are a ‘Bear Resistant’ bin certified by the IGBC (Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee), but that does not make them ‘bear proof’.  The bear bin is one more tool in our tool box that we need in an attempt to prevent bear-human conflicts.  Again, these bins should be stored responsibly similar to a resident’s garbage.  

    Bears frequent ALL of the areas included in our new green bin curbside organics program that starts this October.  As stated on the Province of British Columbia website, "Human wildlife conflict is a serious issue in British Columbia, and each year too many bears and other wildlife are killed because of human decisions and behaviour.  The most effective and natural way to prevent conflicts with wildlife in urban areas is to put garbage, birdseed, compost, and pet food away, and to keep fruit from trees off the ground. Communities where attractants are managed properly have less human-wildlife conflicts and fewer animals destroyed".

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    Are the new green bins dumped with arms on the truck? Can similar bins be used for garbage?

    kristaash asked 17 days ago

    Great question Krista.  

    The answer is NO to both of your questions.  The green bins we will be using are a semi-automated bar lock style that will be dumped using a semi automated lifter on the truck (lifter arms are 'fully automated' - where the driver/operator doesn't have to get out of the truck).   The residential garbage will be placed in a separate section of the split packer truck manually.   

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    Will the "Bag to Earth" liners be supplied with the green bin? Or are expected to pay for those as well as the garbage bag tags? Thank you

    palg asked 17 days ago

    Thank-you for your question.  The RDKB will provide residents with a starter pack of 'Bag to Earth' liners when the green bins are delivered in August.  Residents will receive a green bin, kitchen catcher, Bag to Earth bin liners and an education and information package.  Paper Bin liners are only optional and provide a way for households to keep their bins clean although the kitchen catchers will also be dishwasher safe.  NO PLASTICS are accepted in the green bin program, therefore stay away from plastic bin liner products even if they say they are 'biodegradable' or 'compostable'.  The Bag to Earth products are located locally at:  Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, No Frills, Safeway and Ferraro Foods.  

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    So if I understand correctly we are going to pay $3 per bag of garbage even though we have already paid for garbage collection for the year?? Then when GFL doesn't pick up (which lets face it in West Trail they usually don't when there is a whiff of snow) we should load the stinky bin into our personal vehicle and drive out to a landfill that isn't always open...Sounds like a pretty poor use of taxpayer dollars. I hope we will not be billed for garbage collection next year since we will buy bags. Funny that you state that we will "save" money with the new system. $3/bag times 52 weeks for a family would cost $300 on top of what we already paid.

    Suz asked 21 days ago

    Hello Suz, we appreciate your question and concerns.  You are correct that the RDKB will be charging $3 per bag of garbage starting October 1. The City of Trail will provide information with regards to the Oct-Dec 2023 garbage fees that have already been paid with resident's 2023 utility bills.  Residents of Trail will not see a garbage fee with utility bills moving forward.  Garbage service will be paid through the RDKB's user pay tag system.     

    The initiation of the green bin organics program is a part of the Regional District’s commitment to Zero Waste Goals.  If a household participates in the ‘RecycleBC’ blue box curbside recycling program, and participates in the new upcoming green bin program, there should be a significant reduction in their household garbage.  Also, if a household recycles other products accepted at the Trail Bottle Depot such as deposit bottles, cans, and containers, flexible plastics, electronics or styrofoam, there should be very little garbage leftover.  For an average household, one $3 garbage tag every 2-3 weeks will likely handle all the garbage that needs to be collected, therefore saving that household a significant amount of money on waste disposal.  To assist you with a product list of recyclable materials, here is a link to the RecycleBC website which gives information on what you can recycle and where.  https://recyclebc.ca/what-can-i-recycle/

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    What will happen if/when green bin/garbage pickup is missed. I live in area A and went over a month this winter without any curb side recycling pickup. (Also live on a pliers and sanded bus route) Calling the toll free number puts us to a call centre in Victoria to leave a voicemail and no issues are ever resolved. Recycling sitting for a month is no big deal but leaving food waste/garbage laying around is a recipe for disaster.

    Fitzy asked 22 days ago

    Thank-you for your question and comments Fitzy.

    Our garbage and green bin organics collections contractor will be using new split packer trucks for the residential pick-up of both of these waste streams on a weekly basis.  We are letting residents know that they can use the McKelvey Creek Regional Landfill for their garbage and green bin organics drop off if they have missed a collection date or to save it for the following week for pick up.  You will receive your green bin and kitchen catcher this August 2023.    

Page last updated: 02 Jun 2023, 02:38 PM