RDKB Residents to Reap the Rewards of Composting Efforts
By RDKB
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) is thrilled to announce that residents can now take home a product of their own composting efforts. For the first time, finished compost from the Grand Forks composting facility — along with compost returned from the Regional District of Central Kootenay for east-side communities — is available for purchase at select RDKB sites.
“This is a big milestone for our region,” said Rob McGregor, RDKB’s Solid Waste Operations Supervisor. “For years, Boundary residents have been composting, and more recently, our Kootenay communities like Trail, Rossland, Warfield, Fruitvale and parts of Areas A and B joined in with the launch of green bin curbside collection in October 2023. Now, everyone can actually benefit from that hard work by accessing high-quality, locally-produced compost.”
The RDKB Board recently updated its bylaw to allow the sale of compost, with rates now set. Compost is now available at McKelvey Creek and Grand Forks Landfills as well as the Rock Creek Transfer Station, with immediate effect.
Rates & Details
- Sales are unit-based, not weight-based.
- $5 minimum charge per purchase.
- $10 per cubic metre (M³), with a maximum of 2.0 M³ per load.
- Customers must bring their own shovel & load their own compost; RDKB will not provide loading services.
- Compost loads are paid after loading, so attendants can assess the final volume.
- All customers will receive a regulatory handout at the time of purchase.
“Our testing confirms that this compost meets the provincial Organic Matter Recycling Regulation (OMRR) and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) standards for Class A compost,” said Janine Dougall, RDKB’s General Manager of Environmental Services. “That means residents are getting a clean, safe product that’s perfect as a soil amendment. It’s important to note though, this is not planting soil—it’s a nutrient-rich additive to boost your garden or landscaping projects.”
“Seeing compost now available to residents is proof that our regional waste reduction strategy is working,” said Terry Martin, Chair of the Solid Waste Management Plan Steering & Monitoring Committee. “It’s rewarding to see how public participation, planning, and investment in infrastructure have come together to create something tangible that benefits the whole region. This is a great example of how we can turn what was once waste into a valuable community resource.”
Signage has been posted at pick-up areas, and staff are on-hand to guide residents through the process.
“This is really about closing the loop,” added Dougall. “Food scraps and yard waste that used to be garbage are now transformed into something valuable. It’s a win for residents, for our soil, our landfills and for the environment.”
