Waste & Recycling Collection

Automated Waste and Recycling Collection 

We remind residents that in accordance with Bylaw No. 1845, waste and recycling must be stored indoors until 5 AM on the day of collection and must be stored indoors between collection days.  

Collection 

Recyling Curbside Collection Changes

July of 2023, the City of Fernie partnered with Recycle BC to reduce the amount of garbage sent to landfill.

 

This partnership allows for more items to go in your recycling bin, including gabe top containers for items like milk or molasses, frxen desssert boxes, paper cups for hot or cold beverages and their lids, tinfoil and tetra packs for soups or broths in your cart.  

One big change with the transition is the end of recycling plastic bags like grocery bags or bread bags in your cart. Bagging your recycling is also no longer acceptable. Items that are inside a plastic bag cannot be recycled properly. The sorting machines at the recycling facility cannot sort the materials and for safety reasons, staff cannot open these bags. Items should be loose in the curbside cart.  All plastic bags and plastic overwrap (like the packing around flats of soda or paper towels) can still be recycled at the Fernie Transfer Station. 

Your recycling will still be collected every other week, just like before. 

The full list of what CAN and CANNOT be placed in your cart with this transition can be found here:

Bear Resistant Dumpsters

If you miss garbage day, or do not have a garage to store garbage securely between collection days, the City of Fernie is happy to offer bear resistant dumpsters, available for public use 24/7.

These dumpsters can be found at:

Max Turyk Centre: 44 Mt. Washburn Street, located in the Mountview neighbourhood known as the “airport.”

Fernie Community Centre: 1092 Highway 3, located along the highway corridor between the Annex and Maintown neighbourhoods.

Fernie Aquatic Centre: 250 Pine Avenue, located in the parking lot closest to the Outdoor Rink.

City Hall: 501 3rd Avenue, centrally located in the City’s downtown core of the Maintown neighbourhood.

The Transfer Station is, located on Highway 3 at Brenner Road across from Home Hardware, open Mon-Fri (9 am - 5 pm) and Sat-Sun (10 am - 4 pm) and closed on Statutory Holidays. There are no fees for household waste.

The dumpsters for public use can be identified by a “keep wildlife wild” sticker. If a bin is full please go to another bin or the transfer station. 

Has your garbage been missed?

If collection of your waste or recycling is missed, please contact GFL Environmental Inc., 1-800-662-5744

If you you have an issue with a missing or damaged cart, please contact City Hall, 250-423-6817

RDEK Yellow Bin Program

Public recycle bins for plastics #1 - #6, paper, cardboard, tin and aluminum cans (no glass or wood products please) are located at:

Wood, glass and yard waste bins are available at the Transfer Station located on Highway 3 at Brenner Road, across from the Home Hardware, open Mon-Fri (9 am - 5 pm) and Sat-Sun (10 am - 4 pm) and closed on Statutory Holidays.

Other Waste and Recycling

Bring your used household batteries and cell phones to City Hall or the Fernie Aquatic Centre for recycling. Bottles, electronicssmall appliancespower tools, and sealed paint containers can be recycled at the Fernie Bottle Depot at 1291 Ridgemont Avenue

Downtown Waste Bins

The historic downtown area is serviced with pedestrian waste bins provided for you by general tax revenue.  Waste is collected downtown by the City public works staff.  If you notice that a bin is full please complete a Request for Service Form online or contact City Hall at 250-423-6817. 

Parks and Trails Bear Proof Waste Bins

City parks and trails are serviced with bear proof waste bins provided to users through general tax revenue.  Waste is collected from the parks and trails bins by City public works staff.  If you notice that a bin is full please complete a Request for Service Form online or contact City Hall at 250-423-6817.  

Note that in the winter months the level of service for parks and trails bins is reduced to areas that receive winter maintenance. 

Rules and Regulations 

Remember we are a Wild Safe Community! Waste Regulation Bylaw No. 1845 prohibits the accumulation of wildlife attractants, the storage of waste outdoors, and the placing of waste out for collection prior to 5:00 a.m. on your collection day!

If you would like to report violation please complete a Request for Service Form online. 

Useful Resources

For more information on garbage and recycling, please visit: