Proper disposal of invasive plant waste is vital in preventing further infestations from popping up. Click on the drop down menus below to learn more!
Disposing of your Invasive Species Garden Waste
Dead-head and properly dispose of invasive plant seeds, seed heads or fruit prior to flowering and seed maturity
Bag all invasive plants and bring to the landfill or transfer station free of charge or place the debris in your household garbage for curbside prick up, note please check with your municipality on guidelines/fees around curbside pick up.
For all landfills and transfer stations within the RDCK loads up to a maximum of 1.5 m3 must be placed in clear plastic bags. For larger loads see the dropdown below. Notify the attendant that you have invasive plant species, plants must be identifiable through the bag. For more information please see the RDCK Resource Recovery Bylaw
The McKelvey Landfill in the RDKB accepts invasive plant material that is placed in bags, for free with no load limit.
Noxious weeds cannot be placed in organics curbside collection bins, or mixed in with yard and garden waste.
Do not dump garden waste in public parks, natural areas, and roadsides, it is ILLEGAL to do so and is associated with hefty fines.
Avoid putting invasive plants in your compost, as they often quickly re-establish.It’s free to dispose of invasive plants in the CKISS region. Ensure your invasive plant material is placed in bags (must be transparent in the RDCK) and let the attendant know!
Disposing of Large Loads of Invasive Species
Loads greater than 1.5 m3 of Invasive species should be disposed at Landfills only.
When bagging large quantities of invasive species is impractical, alternative methods of containing loads may be applied with prior approval.
People wishing to dispose of significant loads of Noxious Weeds and/or applying alternative methods of containing the weeds must be preapproved by the RDCK admin at 250.352.8161 or email wastedept@rdck.bc.ca to review their processes and get approvals. To discuss alternative methods of containing invasive plants in the RDKB contact the McKelvey Creek Landfill at 250.364.9834.
The “burrito method” is an example of an alternative containment method that involves lining the back of a truck or trailer with a tarp, piling invasive plant debris on top and wrapping the tarp around the plant debris. The load MUST be secured properly to ensure no invasive plants escape during transport. Contact the RDCK about using this disposal method.
Ensure you dispose of your Scotch broom following best management practices! Leaving dead Scotch broom on site increases the risk of fire.
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Knotweed Disposal
Knotweed can only be effectively controlled with chemical control – unfortunately digging, cutting, burning or other methods have proved to be ineffective and actually can contribute to its spread, it can spread from very small fragments of its roots and stems! Mechanical control and transporting knotweed plant materials is not recommended.
“Best practice is to avoid offsite knotweed disposal due to the high risk of spread during transport. If best management practices are followed and chemical control methods are used, treated knotweed canes can be left on site to compost and disposal is not necessary” from the Metro Vancouver Region Knotweed BMP
Landfill & Transfer Stations Locations and Hours
RDKB landfill and transfer station locations and hours click here.
RDCK landfill and transfer station locations and hours click here.
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Disposing Aquarium Plants
Dispose of your aquatic plants from your aquarium or pond by drying or freezing them and then add it to non-compost garbage.
Don’t Let it Loose! Never dump aquarium contents into natural areas. Your could be introducing an invasive species to the native ecosystem.
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First step is to remove the invasive plants from your property. Second step is to dispose of the garden waste properly!
