Curbside Organics

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The City of Fernie is expanding its curbside garbage and recycling program to include organic waste collection. This new service is the first step towards the City’s goal of redirecting all organics from the landfill, which will extend the lifespan of our landfill, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and the compost produced will reduce the need to import topsoil into the valley for City projects.

Use this site to check what types of materials are accepted in your new organics cart (and what items should stay out of your bin!), changes to curbside garbage collection, and learn some tips to maintain your new curbside cart and kitchen bin.

If you have a question, check out the Q & A section below for previously answered questions, or send us your own!

Organics Collection Program

All residents who currently receive curbside collection will also receive weekly pickup of organic waste beginning September 23rd (for Area 2) and September 24th (for Area 1), as per the updated collection calendar.

On collection day, simply put out your new City-supplied organics cart for pickup. Until the first week of December, your curbside garbage collection service will remain the same. Once you’ve gotten comfortable using your organics cart, garbage collection will change to every other week, just like recycling.

Organics Program Timeline

August 2024

Residents will receive a delivery of curbside organics cart, kitchen catcher bin, collection schedule and information package through household delivery starting August 19. If you believe you have been missed, please contact City Hall 250-423-6817.

September 2024

First curbside organics collection to begin:

Area 1: September 24th

Area 2: September 23rd

To accommodate our growing City, the boundaries of Area 1 and 2 have shifted to include Alpine Trails and Parkland Terrace neighborhoods to Area 1 collection days. These neighbourhoods will be part of Area 1 starting with the first organics collection on September 23rd.

December 2024

Garbage collection will move to every other week, starting December 5th for Area 1. Area 2 will have their first bi-weekly collection on December 12th.

Items Accepted in the Organic Bins

You’ll be able to put a range of items in your organics bin, from yard waste and food scraps to pizza boxes, kitty litter, and chopsticks! Organic waste will be converted into Class B compost soil that will stay in the Elk Valley and be used for City/municipal landscaping projects. To ensure the quality of the soil produced, only put things in your organics bin that are on the list of acceptable items.

Prohibited Items:

Please do not compost ashes, pet waste (other than kitty litter), fruit and vegetable stickers, plastics bin liners, rubber bands, and twist ties.

If you can't determine if an item is compostable, you can do any of the following:

1) Review acceptable items at fernie.ca/organics

2) Email operations@fernie.ca for clarification

3) Put it in your garbage bin

Cleaning Your Carts

In addition to regular cleaning, sprinkling a small amount of baking soda, garden lime, or vinegar in your curbside bin and kitchen catcher will help to reduce odours. Commercial bin cleaning services are also available in the valley. A clean bin will reduce the chance for wildlife interactions.

What About Wildlife?

Although the carts are bear resistant (bear-resistant carts are only certified to withstand a bear for one hour), wildlife will be attracted to any accessible cart, bear-resistant or not.

Things you can do to prevent bear and other wildlife temptations:

  • Between collection days, store your curbside bins in a secure location that is inaccessible to wildlife.
  • Do not bring your carts to the curb until 5 am on collection days.
  • Pick ripe fruit and collect any fallen fruit around your property. This can go in your organics cart!
  • Manage attractants such as BBQs, pet food and bird feeders by keeping them clean or out of reach.

Waste Regulation Bylaw & Fines

The City of Fernie’s Waste Regulation Bylaw No. 1845, requires that all wildlife attractants such as garbage, organic waste, and carts be safely stored so it is not accessible by wildlife. Carts should be brought to the curb only on the morning of your designated pickup day and no earlier than 5:00 am. Carts must be out by 7:00 am to ensure collection.

If a cart is damaged either willfully or accidentally by the actions of a homeowner, such as leaving a garbage cart in an accessible location and it being damaged by a bear, homeowners are responsible for the cost to repair or replace the cart. A ticket may also be levied against the homeowner for having wildlife attractants accessible. The first offense ticket is $250, and a second or subsequent offense per year is $500.

Have questions? We're here! Submit a question, email us at operations@fernie.ca or visit fernie.ca/organics for more information on waste, recycling and organics collection.

The City of Fernie is expanding its curbside garbage and recycling program to include organic waste collection. This new service is the first step towards the City’s goal of redirecting all organics from the landfill, which will extend the lifespan of our landfill, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and the compost produced will reduce the need to import topsoil into the valley for City projects.

Use this site to check what types of materials are accepted in your new organics cart (and what items should stay out of your bin!), changes to curbside garbage collection, and learn some tips to maintain your new curbside cart and kitchen bin.

If you have a question, check out the Q & A section below for previously answered questions, or send us your own!

Organics Collection Program

All residents who currently receive curbside collection will also receive weekly pickup of organic waste beginning September 23rd (for Area 2) and September 24th (for Area 1), as per the updated collection calendar.

On collection day, simply put out your new City-supplied organics cart for pickup. Until the first week of December, your curbside garbage collection service will remain the same. Once you’ve gotten comfortable using your organics cart, garbage collection will change to every other week, just like recycling.

Organics Program Timeline

August 2024

Residents will receive a delivery of curbside organics cart, kitchen catcher bin, collection schedule and information package through household delivery starting August 19. If you believe you have been missed, please contact City Hall 250-423-6817.

September 2024

First curbside organics collection to begin:

Area 1: September 24th

Area 2: September 23rd

To accommodate our growing City, the boundaries of Area 1 and 2 have shifted to include Alpine Trails and Parkland Terrace neighborhoods to Area 1 collection days. These neighbourhoods will be part of Area 1 starting with the first organics collection on September 23rd.

December 2024

Garbage collection will move to every other week, starting December 5th for Area 1. Area 2 will have their first bi-weekly collection on December 12th.

Items Accepted in the Organic Bins

You’ll be able to put a range of items in your organics bin, from yard waste and food scraps to pizza boxes, kitty litter, and chopsticks! Organic waste will be converted into Class B compost soil that will stay in the Elk Valley and be used for City/municipal landscaping projects. To ensure the quality of the soil produced, only put things in your organics bin that are on the list of acceptable items.

Prohibited Items:

Please do not compost ashes, pet waste (other than kitty litter), fruit and vegetable stickers, plastics bin liners, rubber bands, and twist ties.

If you can't determine if an item is compostable, you can do any of the following:

1) Review acceptable items at fernie.ca/organics

2) Email operations@fernie.ca for clarification

3) Put it in your garbage bin

Cleaning Your Carts

In addition to regular cleaning, sprinkling a small amount of baking soda, garden lime, or vinegar in your curbside bin and kitchen catcher will help to reduce odours. Commercial bin cleaning services are also available in the valley. A clean bin will reduce the chance for wildlife interactions.

What About Wildlife?

Although the carts are bear resistant (bear-resistant carts are only certified to withstand a bear for one hour), wildlife will be attracted to any accessible cart, bear-resistant or not.

Things you can do to prevent bear and other wildlife temptations:

  • Between collection days, store your curbside bins in a secure location that is inaccessible to wildlife.
  • Do not bring your carts to the curb until 5 am on collection days.
  • Pick ripe fruit and collect any fallen fruit around your property. This can go in your organics cart!
  • Manage attractants such as BBQs, pet food and bird feeders by keeping them clean or out of reach.

Waste Regulation Bylaw & Fines

The City of Fernie’s Waste Regulation Bylaw No. 1845, requires that all wildlife attractants such as garbage, organic waste, and carts be safely stored so it is not accessible by wildlife. Carts should be brought to the curb only on the morning of your designated pickup day and no earlier than 5:00 am. Carts must be out by 7:00 am to ensure collection.

If a cart is damaged either willfully or accidentally by the actions of a homeowner, such as leaving a garbage cart in an accessible location and it being damaged by a bear, homeowners are responsible for the cost to repair or replace the cart. A ticket may also be levied against the homeowner for having wildlife attractants accessible. The first offense ticket is $250, and a second or subsequent offense per year is $500.

Have questions? We're here! Submit a question, email us at operations@fernie.ca or visit fernie.ca/organics for more information on waste, recycling and organics collection.

Q&A

Have a question about the NEW curbside organics program, ask us here! Check out what other people have asked about below. 

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  • Share I have just learnt that the fernie mobile home park will not be getting compost bins, I was just wondering would there be anywhere I could take my organic waste alone a month if I collected it myself? on Facebook Share I have just learnt that the fernie mobile home park will not be getting compost bins, I was just wondering would there be anywhere I could take my organic waste alone a month if I collected it myself? on Twitter Share I have just learnt that the fernie mobile home park will not be getting compost bins, I was just wondering would there be anywhere I could take my organic waste alone a month if I collected it myself? on Linkedin Email I have just learnt that the fernie mobile home park will not be getting compost bins, I was just wondering would there be anywhere I could take my organic waste alone a month if I collected it myself? link

    I have just learnt that the fernie mobile home park will not be getting compost bins, I was just wondering would there be anywhere I could take my organic waste alone a month if I collected it myself?

    Heather Senior asked 7 days ago

    Hi Heather, there are some options you could look into:

    - Encourage your site management to organize organics collection

    - Find a neighbour that does have curbside organics, and work on a plan together to be "adopted" by them, in order to share their curbside bin. 

    - Keep an eye on the RDEK's Organic Initiative website to see when they might organize drop off locations for kitchen scraps. The Fernie Transfer Station accepts yard and garden waste, which will go to the organics processing facility. 

    strata
    strata
  • Share Hi, just wondering when Fernie mobile home park is going to receive their bins? on Facebook Share Hi, just wondering when Fernie mobile home park is going to receive their bins? on Twitter Share Hi, just wondering when Fernie mobile home park is going to receive their bins? on Linkedin Email Hi, just wondering when Fernie mobile home park is going to receive their bins? link

    Hi, just wondering when Fernie mobile home park is going to receive their bins?

    Heather Senior asked 9 days ago

    Hi there, the Fernie Mobile Home Park is a strata, and is not a part of the City's curbside collection program. The Park does have curbside waste and recycling bins, but the program is run by the Park, not the City. I would suggest speaking to the management of the Park to ask them to implement a collection system for organics. 

    rollout,strata
    rollout strata
  • Share Less a question, more a comment - There are many people who don’t have a garage or a secure place to store their garbage/compost bins. My neighbours, for example, don’t use their garbage bins because they don’t have a place for them - they use the dumpsters at the aquatic centre. I think it would be effective if the city subsidized storage sheds, whether built or bought so people can safely utilize this program. Thanks! on Facebook Share Less a question, more a comment - There are many people who don’t have a garage or a secure place to store their garbage/compost bins. My neighbours, for example, don’t use their garbage bins because they don’t have a place for them - they use the dumpsters at the aquatic centre. I think it would be effective if the city subsidized storage sheds, whether built or bought so people can safely utilize this program. Thanks! on Twitter Share Less a question, more a comment - There are many people who don’t have a garage or a secure place to store their garbage/compost bins. My neighbours, for example, don’t use their garbage bins because they don’t have a place for them - they use the dumpsters at the aquatic centre. I think it would be effective if the city subsidized storage sheds, whether built or bought so people can safely utilize this program. Thanks! on Linkedin Email Less a question, more a comment - There are many people who don’t have a garage or a secure place to store their garbage/compost bins. My neighbours, for example, don’t use their garbage bins because they don’t have a place for them - they use the dumpsters at the aquatic centre. I think it would be effective if the city subsidized storage sheds, whether built or bought so people can safely utilize this program. Thanks! link

    Less a question, more a comment - There are many people who don’t have a garage or a secure place to store their garbage/compost bins. My neighbours, for example, don’t use their garbage bins because they don’t have a place for them - they use the dumpsters at the aquatic centre. I think it would be effective if the city subsidized storage sheds, whether built or bought so people can safely utilize this program. Thanks!

    aj4field asked 12 days ago

    Hi there, thank you for your comment. Yes, using the 24-7 dumpsters at the Max Turyk Centre, the Aquatic Centre or City Hall is a good option if you don't have a safe space to store garbage. The Fernie Transfer Station is also a good option, plus you can drop off a ton of recycling that doesn't go in your curbside bin. 

    One thing to remember about the 24-7 dumpsters is that they are bear-resistant, but only for the garbage that makes it into the dumpster. If a bin is full please go to another bin or the transfer station. Do not leave garbage beside full dumpsters. It creates an animal attractant and is in contravention of our Waste Regulation Bylaw.

    garbage,wildlife
    garbage wildlife
  • Share Compostable bags are available for purchase can these be used in the compost bins? on Facebook Share Compostable bags are available for purchase can these be used in the compost bins? on Twitter Share Compostable bags are available for purchase can these be used in the compost bins? on Linkedin Email Compostable bags are available for purchase can these be used in the compost bins? link

    Compostable bags are available for purchase can these be used in the compost bins?

    Rosanne Anselmo asked 13 days ago

    No, please keep compostable and biodegradable plastics out of the organics cart. They do not break down completely at our local facility and create challenges. Instead, you can use things like paper bags, paper coffee filters or old newspaper to line your kitchen catcher bin.

    prohibited materials,liners
    prohibited materials liners
  • Share What is the annual cost for each individual household? on Facebook Share What is the annual cost for each individual household? on Twitter Share What is the annual cost for each individual household? on Linkedin Email What is the annual cost for each individual household? link

    What is the annual cost for each individual household?

    Jilor asked 14 days ago

    In 2024, your monthly costs for curbside service (the collection of garbage, recycling, and soon organics) will not change. In 2025, as can be seen in Schedule A of the Waste Regulation Bylaw , the monthly cost per household for garbage, recycling and organics is $17.40.  In order to make the costs reasonable for all households, all Fernie curbside collection customers pay for all three streams of collection. 

    budget
    budget
  • Share We live in alpine parkland area and our garbage collection is marked for Tuesday for August, but it’s been Wednesday all month. And we confirmed today - no truck came by. Don’t know if it’s the Color on the map that’s mixed up or the days on the calendar but wanted you to be aware! Also I would love to know if the days are changing for September! on Facebook Share We live in alpine parkland area and our garbage collection is marked for Tuesday for August, but it’s been Wednesday all month. And we confirmed today - no truck came by. Don’t know if it’s the Color on the map that’s mixed up or the days on the calendar but wanted you to be aware! Also I would love to know if the days are changing for September! on Twitter Share We live in alpine parkland area and our garbage collection is marked for Tuesday for August, but it’s been Wednesday all month. And we confirmed today - no truck came by. Don’t know if it’s the Color on the map that’s mixed up or the days on the calendar but wanted you to be aware! Also I would love to know if the days are changing for September! on Linkedin Email We live in alpine parkland area and our garbage collection is marked for Tuesday for August, but it’s been Wednesday all month. And we confirmed today - no truck came by. Don’t know if it’s the Color on the map that’s mixed up or the days on the calendar but wanted you to be aware! Also I would love to know if the days are changing for September! link

    We live in alpine parkland area and our garbage collection is marked for Tuesday for August, but it’s been Wednesday all month. And we confirmed today - no truck came by. Don’t know if it’s the Color on the map that’s mixed up or the days on the calendar but wanted you to be aware! Also I would love to know if the days are changing for September!

    14 days ago

    Good eye to notice that there is a change on the map for the Alpine Trails and Parkland Terrace neighbourhoods. There is a big changecoming to those areas, but just not yet. 

    To accommodate our growing City, the boundaries of Area 1 and 2 have shifted to include Alpine Trails and Parkland Terrace neighborhoods to Area 1 collection days. These neighbourhoods will be part of Area 1 starting with the first organics collection on September 23rd. 

    This is noted on the calendar section of the guidebook and the curbside sorting guide. So until the fourth week of September, Alpine Trails and Parkland will stay with Area 2. Starting September 23rd, they will be a part of Area 1. 

    alpine trails,parkland,collection,rollout
    alpine trails parkland collection rollout
  • Share Hi I have 2 questions: 1. Will paper bags that are "leak-resistant" be accepted in the organics cart? They sell them at independent but I'm not sure if they are fully 100% paper 2. Do fernie landlords need to provide a space where the street bin can be stored? Thanks! on Facebook Share Hi I have 2 questions: 1. Will paper bags that are "leak-resistant" be accepted in the organics cart? They sell them at independent but I'm not sure if they are fully 100% paper 2. Do fernie landlords need to provide a space where the street bin can be stored? Thanks! on Twitter Share Hi I have 2 questions: 1. Will paper bags that are "leak-resistant" be accepted in the organics cart? They sell them at independent but I'm not sure if they are fully 100% paper 2. Do fernie landlords need to provide a space where the street bin can be stored? Thanks! on Linkedin Email Hi I have 2 questions: 1. Will paper bags that are "leak-resistant" be accepted in the organics cart? They sell them at independent but I'm not sure if they are fully 100% paper 2. Do fernie landlords need to provide a space where the street bin can be stored? Thanks! link

    Hi I have 2 questions: 1. Will paper bags that are "leak-resistant" be accepted in the organics cart? They sell them at independent but I'm not sure if they are fully 100% paper 2. Do fernie landlords need to provide a space where the street bin can be stored? Thanks!

    nlbenz asked 16 days ago

    Thank you for the questions. I did a search on the grocery store website to see if I could find any "leak-resistant" bags. The closest match I could find was Ziplock brand Paper Sandwich and Snack Bags. These Ziploc bags are recyclable, but appear to be more that just paper, so they will not be accepted in your organics cart. Kraft paper bags, scrap pieces of cardboard, old newspapers or paper ads, and paper coffee filters are all acceptable liners that can be composted. 

    The Waste Regulation Bylaw states "Occupants are responsible for the proper and sanitary storage of carts and wildlife attractants on their property between collection days in a manner that does not produce wildlife attraction, offensive odours and does not become untidy or unsightly." Our team recommends users storing the carts in an inaccessible place, like a closed, locked garage or shed to follow the bylaw and reduce the chances of wildlife interactions. 

    accepted materials,carts,prohibited materials,liners,wildlife,maintenance
    accepted materials carts prohibited materials liners wildlife maintenance
  • Share I am home composting (I keep it behind an electric fence). So.....I dont need a bin and would rather not be charged to be using one. how does that work? on Facebook Share I am home composting (I keep it behind an electric fence). So.....I dont need a bin and would rather not be charged to be using one. how does that work? on Twitter Share I am home composting (I keep it behind an electric fence). So.....I dont need a bin and would rather not be charged to be using one. how does that work? on Linkedin Email I am home composting (I keep it behind an electric fence). So.....I dont need a bin and would rather not be charged to be using one. how does that work? link

    I am home composting (I keep it behind an electric fence). So.....I dont need a bin and would rather not be charged to be using one. how does that work?

    Steve Kuijt asked 21 days ago

    It's great to compost at home. But, you can use the organics cart for all the organic items that you cannot put in your composter such as cooked food, meat, bones, and food-soiled paper to further decrease the amount of garbage your household produces. If you currently receive residential garbage collection, you will be included in the residential organics collection program. Please note that the residential organics collection program is mandatory, and fees will apply to all residents who use it or not.  

    home composting,accepted materials
    home composting accepted materials
  • Share Can the whole community participate in curbside organics collection? on Facebook Share Can the whole community participate in curbside organics collection? on Twitter Share Can the whole community participate in curbside organics collection? on Linkedin Email Can the whole community participate in curbside organics collection? link

    Can the whole community participate in curbside organics collection?

    21 days ago

    All City of Fernie residential properties that currently receive curbside garbage and recycling collection will be a part of the organics program. The City’s goal is to include apartments and condos in organics collection in the coming years. This new service is a first step towards the ultimate goal of redirecting all organics from the landfill.

    collection,apartments,condos
    collection apartments condos
  • Share When does the curbside organics collection program start? on Facebook Share When does the curbside organics collection program start? on Twitter Share When does the curbside organics collection program start? on Linkedin Email When does the curbside organics collection program start? link

    When does the curbside organics collection program start?

    21 days ago

    First curbside organic collections 

    Area 2: September 23rd

    Area 1: September 24th

    Changes to Collection Area Boundaries: The Alpine Trails and Parkland Terrace neighbourhoods will be part of Area 1 starting with the first organics collection on September 23rd.

    rollout,alpine trails,parkland,collection
    rollout alpine trails parkland collection
Page last updated: 20 Aug 2024, 12:58 PM