City Of Courtenay Launches Pilot For Seasonal Excess Yard Waste Drop-Off

City of Courtenay residents with excess yard waste this spring now have another option for disposal, with a new drop-off collection point at the end of McKenzie Avenue available for a limited time.

The free seasonal yard waste drop-off pilot program is open to Courtenay residents receiving curbside collection through the City who have excess yard waste that does not fit into their curbside collection container.

“We understand some properties generate more yard waste than others, especially as residents get their yards and gardens ready for spring,” said Chris Thompson, Manager of Solid Waste at the City of Courtenay.

“We’re launching this new drop-off collection point as another option for City residents who need it. Staff will be monitoring resident interest in the pilot program, as well as overall compliance with the program, to determine how to offer this service again in the fall.”

The drop-off is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding statutory holidays, until May 31st.

McKenzie Avenue is located next to the City Operations Yard and is accessed from Cumberland Road just west of the train tracks between McPhee and Piercy avenues.

Accepted materials for drop-off include leaves, grass clippings, flowers, plants, and small branches less than 3 inches in diameter.

Materials can be either loose or contained in a paper yard waste bag.

Thompson says it’s important that materials are cleaned and asks residents to ensure yard waste is free of things like dog toys, plant pots and tags.

Yard waste volumes fluctuate widely through the year, with spring and fall seeing the highest volumes of yard debris. In previous years, this overwhelmed the collection contractor’s capacity at peak times, resulting in collection delays cascading across each zone.

The new automated collection system launched earlier this year with standard curbside organics bins is expected to support a more balanced and regular collection schedule.

Residents who regularly need to dispose of larger amounts of yard waste have the option to request an extra organics cart from the City for an additional annual fee.

For more information on the seasonal yard waste drop-off pilot project and curbside organics collection, visit City of Courtenay.