City of Courtenay residents with extra yard waste this fall can use a free seasonal drop-off site at the end of McKenzie Avenue from November 2–28. The program provides an option for residents who receive curbside collection and have more yard waste than will fit in their organics cart.
The free seasonal yard waste drop-off 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. The yard waste drop-off is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., from November 2 to 28, 2026.
“As residents tidy their yards and prepare gardens and landscapes for winter, many end up with more leaves and yard trimmings than will fit in their curbside cart,” said Chris Thompson, Manager of Public Works Services at the City of Courtenay. “This seasonal drop-off program provides a free, convenient option to help residents manage that extra material while supporting our community’s waste diversion efforts.”
The drop-off site is at the end of McKenzie Avenue next to the City of Courtenay's Operations Centre. Access the site from Cumberland Road, west of the railway tracks between McPhee and Piercy avenues.
Accepted materials for drop-off include leaves, grass clippings, flowers, plants and small branches less than 7.5 cm (3 inches) in diameter. Materials can be either loose or contained in a paper yard waste bag.
“Keeping yard waste free of contamination is one of the most important ways residents can help ensure the material can be successfully composted,” Thompson said. “Before bringing materials to the drop-off site, please take a moment to remove plant pots, plastic bags and any other non-compostable items.”
Plastic bags, including those labelled compostable or biodegradable, are not accepted at the drop-off site or in curbside organics carts. Put food waste and food-soiled paper in your household organics cart rather than at the drop-off site.
City staff will be monitoring the drop-off point throughout the weekdays. Yard waste collected through the pilot program will be composted. Residents who need help unloading can call City Operations at 250-338-1525 and staff will assist them. An attendant will be on site each Saturday.
Residents who consistently generate more yard waste can request an additional organics cart for an annual fee. To learn more, email the City's solid waste team at solidwaste@courtenay.ca.
For more information on the seasonal yard waste drop-off and curbside organics collection, visit www.courtenay.ca/organics.