Garbage, Recycling, and Organics
Welcome to Kimberley's Curbside Collection Program!
Whether you're new to town or just need a refresher, this page will help you understand what goes where, when to put your bins out, and how to avoid common sorting mistakes. Let’s work together to keep Kimberley beautiful—one bin at a time.
Every residential home in Kimberley is supplied with three bins to help keep our community clean and sustainable: a blue bin for recycling, a black bin for garbage, and a green bin for organics. These bins are part of our commitment to reducing waste, protecting the environment, and making it easier for residents to sort materials responsibly. Read on to learn all about waste collection in Kimberley!
Curbside Waste Collection Schedule - Follow this link to find out when your garbage, organics and recycling will be collected.
Click the link above or scroll to our list of Frequently Asked Questions!
How to Use Your Carts on Collection Day
- Review the contents of your bin to make sure there are no contaminants.
- Place the cart wheels against the curb without impeding roadways or bike lanes with the arrow facing the street.
- Leave at least a meter or 3 feet of space on all sides of your cart. For example, don’t place it next to a neighbour's cart or parked car.
- Place your cart out by 7 am, but not before 5 am, to prevent animals from accessing your bin.
- Ensure all material is inside the bin, and the lid can close.
- Retrieve your cart from the curb after your waste has been collected or by the end of your collection day.
Garbage
- For all regular household garbage—Must exclude all recyclables and organic waste.
- Waste must be bagged and tied to prevent garbage from being airborne and keep your cart clean.
- Pet waste must be appropriately bagged.
Recycling
- For packaging and printed paper including newspapers, boxboard packaging, cardboard, plastic bottles, jars and jugs, plastic or paper take-out cups, bowls and lids, and metal cans.
- Waste must be placed loosely in bin, no plastic bags permitted. Shredded paper must be placed in a paper bag for collection
- Glass, Styrofoam, plastic bags and other non-permitted materials can be brought to the Kimberley waste transfer station for disposal. Visit their website HERE.
- Cans and bottles can be returned at the Recycle BC Depot for a return.
- For more information on what is and is not recyclable, visit Recycle BC's Waste Wizard.
Organics
- Accepts organic waste such as food scraps, bones, yard waste, and food-soiled paper products such as napkins and pizza boxes asw well as yard waste.
- When placed for collection, all material must be placed loose. Compostable bags and biodegradable bags are NOT permitted.
- Paper bags are acceptable.
- Carts may be lined with paper bags, newsprint or other paper proects as long as it does not contain plastic lining.
Managing Wildlife Attractants
Securing attractants is the best way to keep people and property safe and avoid the killing of bears and other wildlife. Wildlife is attracted to organic material so it's important to store
all bins safely in either a shed or garage. While this is especially important for organics and garbage, recycling can be an attractant too due to food residue.
To minimize attractants and avoid wildlife:
- Store your cart in a secure location and ensure the lid is closed.
- Put your carts out by 7:00 am, but not before 5:00 am.
- Regularly clean bins to minimize odour.
- Freeze smelly compost until collection day if possible.
- Layer yard waste and food scraps to reduce odours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my collection day?
Visit the City of Kimberley Collection Schedule to determine your collection days.
Why wasn’t my bin picked up?
Your bin was not picked up for one or more of the following reasons:
- It was not placed on the curb before 7:00 am.
- It was overflowing, and the lid could not close.
- The bin was placed too close to an obstacle or was not facing the street.
- Someone parked on the street too close to your bin.
- The bin is broken or damaged.
- There are contaminants in your bin.
What do I do if my bin is not picked up?
- If your recycling is not picked up, please contact GFL Environmental at 250-417-3607 by the end of the week to see if it can be picked up.
- If your garbage or organics bin was not collected, please contact Operations Services at 250-427-9660.
What happens if my collection cart is lost or stolen or damaged?
Please call Operations Services for help - 250-427-9660.
What can I recycle?
- Acceptable materials will include packaging and printed paper, including newspapers, boxboard packaging, cardboard, plastic bottles, jars and jugs, plastic or paper take-out cups, bowls and lids, and metal cans.
- Residents must still bring glass, foam packaging, plastic and lined plastic bags, and hazardous materials to the recycling depot.
Why can’t I put Styrofoam, glass, or film plastics in my Recyling bin?
These materials need to be separated to be properly recycled into new materials. When put in the recycling bin, it can contaminate the entire bin, causing it to be sent to the landfill as it's unable to be sorted out and repurposed. Separating these materials beforehand extends our landfills' lifespan and preserves valuable resources.
Why can’t I put compostable bags in my Organics bin?
Compostable and biodegradable bags do not degrade at the same rate as most organic material. The facilities that our organic material is sent to are designed so the organic material decomposes in a short amount of time. Compostable bags will not compost in this timeframe and therefore must be sorted out prior to the composting process.
If I have too much Recycling/Garbage/Organics, what can I do?
Any waste that cannot fit in your bins can be taken to the waste transfer station for disposal. This is especially useful for bulky items such as large pieces of cardboard, yard waste, or large household garbage. Taking these items to thew Waste Transfer station can ensure your bin is able to close and is not overflowing
Will my cart get picked up on statutory holidays?
Collection days that happen on statutory holidays will be moved to earlier or later in the week. The city will send notice for these changes, which will also be posted on the collection schedule.
Important Links
Solid Waste Rates & Regulations Bylaw (link)
Recycle BC Kimberley Return-It Depot
Bear Smart - Managing Attractants