Garbage, Recycling & Organics/Yard Waste Collection
The municipal waste collection is provided by Waste Connections of Canada Inc., under contract to the Town. Starting the week of April 7th, 2025, the collection frequency will change. Organics/Yard Waste (green lid carts) will be picked up weekly. Garbage (black lid carts) and Recycling (blue lid carts) will be picked up on alternating weeks.
First Organics Program Collection - April 7 & 11.
To help you familiarize yourself with the program, the Town of Oliver has created extensive “Frequently Asked Questions” documents that can be accessed below.
Frequently Asked Questions- Edition 1
Frequently Asked Questions - Edition 2
Frequently Asked Questions - Edition 3
Containers must be placed out for collection by 7:00 am on scheduled collection days either Monday if your property is located north of Fairview Road and Park Drive or Friday if your property is located south of Fairview Road and Park Drive (see map included with calendar below).
July 2024 to March 2025 Garbage, Recycling & Yard Waste Calendar
April to December 2025 Garbage, Recycling & Organics/Yard Waste Calendar
Additional garbage bags can be placed out for collection provided they are tagged with special garbage tags. These tags may be purchased for $1.50 each at Oliver Buy-Low Foods and the Town's Finance Office.
For more information on collection in your neighborhood, complaints, suggestions or if your carts are missing or have mechanical issues, please contact our Utility Clerk at 250-485-6253 or email: waste@oliver.ca
If your garbage was not collected, please contact the contractor, Waste Connections of Canada, at 250-498-4888.
The Bear Aware program has changed names. It is now called WildsafeBC.
Unlimited Yard Waste Collection - Week of March 17th.
What Goes in Your Yard Waste Cart?
Accepted Items
- Grass clippings
- Leaves
- Weeds
- Plant trimmings
- Pruning and branches up to 5 cm (2″) in diameter and less than 1 m (3ft) long.
- Pine needles and cones
- Fruit dropping
Not Accepted
- Plastic or compostable bags
- Animal feces or kitty litter
- Dirt, sod, rocks and tree stumps
- Kitchen or food waste
- Tissue or paper towels
- Construction or renovation materials
- Plastic plant or flower pots (recyclable)
- Landscape fabric or plastic edging
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The Town of Oliver is seeking residents’ feedback and input on the implementation of Oliver’s organics/yard waste collection program.
The Town of Oliver is collaborating with partners to initiate an organic waste collection program for its solid waste collection customers. This initiative is crucial for extending the lifespan of the Oliver landfill, modernizing the Town's solid waste program, and aligning with a program already embraced by approximately 3.7 million British Columbia residents. Currently, the Town is gathering input to shape the final design of the organic waste collection program, which is scheduled for launch in April 2025.
Our Organic Waste Program Survey is now closed and results have been presented to Council at the Committee of the Whole meeting on June 24, 2024. Click here to view the Council Presentation.Monday Waste Collection customers (North of Fairview Rd and North of Park Drive)
Monday, March 31, 2025, start to put your organic waste into your kitchen catcher.
Monday, April 7, 2025, before 7:00 am, empty the contents of your kitchen catcher into your green lid cart and put it on your curbside for collection.
Friday Waste Collection customers (South of Fairview Rd and South of Park Drive)
Friday, April 4, 2025, start to put your organic waste into your kitchen catcher. Friday, April 11, 2025, before 7:00 am, empty the contents of your kitchen catcher into your green lid cart and put it on your curbside for collection.
Kitchen Bin/Catcher Pickup
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The Town will be providing a small kitchen bin/catcher free of charge. This kitchen bin/catcher is small enough that it can go on your counter or under your sink. If you do not want it, you can purchase or make your own.
Where: Town of Oliver - Finance Department
When: Starting Feb 18, 2025
Monday – Friday 9am to 4pm (excluding holidays)
Last After Hour Pickup:
Saturday March 29, 2025 9am to 2pm at the Town of Oliver - Finance Department
Compostable Bags
Materials that can be used to bag compost that are accepted include:
100% plastic free paper bags
Newspaper
Parchment paper
**Bag to Earth Organic Compostable Food Waste Bags are available at Canadian Tire in Oliver.
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Materials that are not accepted include:
- Plastic bags
- Bags or plastics labelled compostable, biodegradable, oxo-compostable, etc. such as the ones below
**These bags are made from plant-based plastic, which is still plastic, and thus not accepted.
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For more information, contact the Recycling Council of BC who can answer questions specific to your community through the Recyclepedia search, phone, text, chat, or email. Call Toll Free: 1-800-667-4321.
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Download the Recycling Guide here.
What Stays Out Of Recycling
- Soft and stretchy plastic bags and overwrap, foam containers and packaging (eg. Styrofoam), Glass Jars and Bottles. Bring to T2 Market at 5980 Sawmill Road or Oliver Landfill Recycle Station.
- Crinkly, non-stretchy cellophane wrappers and bags, e.g. for cereal, salad, tea, candy, chips, floral arrangements, etc. Place into the garbage.
- Mirror/window glass, drinking glasses, ceramics, non-packaging plastics, hardcover books, clothing and other textiles. Please donate if reusable or place into the garbage.
- Batteries, electronics, light bulbs, and paint cans (including aerosol paints). Bring to T2 Market at 5980 Sawmill Road or Oliver Landfill Recycle Station.
- Household hazardous waste (pesticides and flammable materials). Bring to Oliver Landfill Recycle Station.
- None of the above is accepted in recycling.
The Town of Oliver, in cooperation with the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen, participates in a progressive solid waste management system. There is a strong emphasis on user pay, waste reduction, reuse or recycling, and for residual materials, efficient landfill operation.
The RDOS has an informative video of recyclable items.
Automated waste collection is becoming the standard for curbside garbage pick up and it is an efficient and safe program. Carts have proven to be a clean and convenient way to roll your waste to the curb.
Be Cart Smart
Place your carts to the curb properly for collection by 7:00am. Carts improperly placed may not be emptied.
Park it
On the street, with the wheels against the curb, or on the shoulder (if no curb)
Point it
Point the arrows on the cart lid towards the road
Space it
Leave at least an arm's length distance on all sides.
If your garbage was not collected, please contact the contractor, Waste Connections of Canada, at 250-498-4888.
If your carts are missing or have mechanical issues, please contact our Utility Clerk at 250-485-6253 or email: waste@oliver.ca
Cart configuration not meeting your needs? Cart sizes can be changed and are subject to additional fees (see cart change-out form below for fees) along with a $32 administrative.
2025 **BULKY ITEM PICK-UP** - April 7, 2025 Town Wide
The Large or Bulky item pickup, held on a specific day each year, allows each home to place out two items per year for residential pickup. For the annual pickup date for your area please consult your curbside calendar (see top of page).
- Place out at regular garbage collection area by 7am on Monday morning on scheduled week in a safe area at the curb
- Maximum of 2 items will be accepted
Large or Bulky items accepted:
- Dishwashers, microwaves, stoves, washing machines, and dryers (please remove door and shelves and place them beside the unit for safer pickup)
- Couches, desks, and chairs
- Barbecues (all drip trays, hoses and propane tanks removed)
Mattresses and boxsprings (remember placing out a mattress and a box spring would count as 2 items!)
Items NOT accepted
- NO TVs or Computer Monitors. Please take computers, monitors and TVs directly to free recycling depots. Click here for information and depot locations. The Campbell Mountain, Oliver and Keremeos Landfills will also take all residential electronic waste free of charge. These items will not be collected.
- NO home renovation/demolition waste, automotive parts, toilets, hot water tanks, plumbing, other bathroom fixtures, carpet, heat pumps, furnaces or doors.
- NO items containing Freon such as refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners.
The hours of operation can be found on the Oliver Landfill website.
The Oliver and District Landfill is a jointly funded facility, operated by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen. Information is provided on this web site for public convenience. For further information, call the RDOS directly at 250-492-0237 or visit the RDOS website.
The Oliver Landfill is located off Black Sage Road, approximately 7 km south of Oliver. This facility is open six days a week all year long. It is closed on Sundays, statutory holidays and Boxing Day. The Oliver Landfill can be contacted directly at 250-498-3316.
Yard waste composting is also offered at the Oliver Landfill. Yard waste is free of charge under 500kg per load.
All loads delivered to the Oliver Landfill must be covered by a tarp, canopy or container to confine the load to the vehicle. All uncovered loads will be charged a double tipping fee.
Besides burying residual waste, this function also supports a community composting operation, recycling and public education on solid waste issues. The solid waste disposal service in Oliver and district is funded through a combination of landfill tipping fees and tax subsidy. The percent of funding through the tax subsidy is decreasing, as the function moves towards a user-pay philosophy. Taxes are collected from all properties in Oliver and Area C based on assessed property values of land and improvements.
Participation in the municipal garbage collection service is mandatory for the following types of properties. Billing will be added automatically to Utility Bills.
- Properties containing one single family dwelling
- Properties containing one duplex dwelling
- Properties containing residential complexes of not more than four dwelling units in total
Optional Service Properties
- Several classes of residences may also participate in the municipal waste collection service on an optional basis. Alternately, they may haul their own garbage or contract with a licensed private contractor. These include:
- Mobile home parks
- Townhouse developments with direct entry from outside to individual townhouses
- Bareland strata subdivision developments
To participate, entire properties must be included. No partial service will be provided. Final decision on eligibility will be determined by municipal staff with consideration given to traffic efficiency and safety as well as whether or not collection service is available on the adjacent street.
Those properties qualifying for this optional service are billed a quarterly flat fee on their utility bill. Optional service properties may contact the Town office to discuss being added or deleted from this service.
Properties Ineligible for Service
The following properties are not billed for this service and are free to contract with any licensed contractor or haul their own waste to the landfill:
- Vacant properties
- Industrial operations
- Commercial and institutional operations
- Apartment buildings
The type of service on these sites is diverse, possibly including bulk bin collection either once per week or more often, or hand dump containers at a central location. Because of this diversity, these properties were excluded from the municipal service in favour of custom service arranged directly with a contractor.
Spring chipping services will be available to residents during the week of April 14th to 17th. Our public works crews will be collecting branches with diameters ranging from ½ inch up to 4 inches.
To efficiently manage time, crews will allocate a maximum of 10 minutes of chipping per residence. Residents are advised to make their own arrangements for disposing of large volumes of chipping items.
To assist our crews, please neatly bundle materials to maximize the volume that can be chipped within the designated time limit. Bundles should be placed exclusively on the boulevard as crews will not be entering private property.
Please pay special attention that all materials are free from dirt, metal (such as nails or wire) and plastic. Contaminated items will not be collected for chipping.
Please ensure branches are placed curbside by 7:00am, Monday, April 14th, 2025.
For further inquiries, contact the Public Works Office at
250-485-6213.