RDCK compost sales returning this fall with higher prices
Class A compost available for sale at the RDCK’s Central Transfer Station in Salmo. The regional district plans to resume compost sales at Salmo, Ootischenia and Creston this fall.
Photo: Regional District of Central Kootenay
The Regional District of Central Kootenay is preparing to resume compost sales at Salmo, Ootischenia and Creston this fall, with higher prices approved for 2026 and the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary requesting an estimated 115 cubic metres of the finished product.
The RDCK board approved its 2026 Class A compost sales plan in August. Sales are planned at the Central Transfer Station near Salmo, the Ootischenia Landfill near Castlegar and the Creston Landfill once testing, screening and other operational preparations are complete.
The district expects about 1,800 cubic metres of compost to be available this year, including roughly 1,500 cubic metres from its Central Compost Facility and another 300 cubic metres from Creston.
For loads of two cubic metres or less, the price will increase to $30 per cubic metre, with a $7.50 minimum for purchases under 0.25 cubic metres. Larger purchases will cost $50 per tonne.
The volume price is up from $20 per cubic metre during the RDCK’s 2025 pilot sales program, while the bulk price has increased from $35 per tonne. RDCK staff said the new pricing takes into account equipment operating time, operator time and additional staff time, while remaining below commercial rates for Class A compost.
Ootischenia customers will be limited to two cubic metres per customer per day. Smaller purchases can be self-loaded, while machine loading will be available at the Central and Creston facilities when staffing and site conditions allow. Larger purchases will require advance arrangements.
The RDKB has requested access to its full 2026 allocation of compost from the RDCK, estimated at about 115 cubic metres.
Food waste collected through the Greater Trail-area organics program is processed at the RDCK’s Central Compost Facility near Salmo, and the RDCK allocates finished compost to participating regional partners based on the amount of feedstock they contribute.
The RDKB also sells Class A compost directly to the public at the McKelvey Creek Landfill, Grand Forks Landfill and Rock Creek Transfer Station. The current price is $10 per cubic metre, with a $5 minimum purchase and a limit of two cubic metres per customer per day.
Compost sold at McKelvey Creek is produced at the RDCK facility near Salmo, while material sold in Grand Forks and Rock Creek comes from the RDKB’s Grand Forks composting operation.
During the RDCK’s first compost sales pilot in 2025, staff estimated about 514 cubic metres was sold, generating $10,294 in revenue. No public or staff safety incidents were reported during the sales program.
If all of the compost expected to be available this year is screened and sold, RDCK staff projected revenue of about $44,700 from the Central and Ootischenia supply and about $8,900 from Creston.
The RDCK has not yet announced a specific date for fall sales to begin. The district says sales will resume after the material is tested, screened and ready for distribution.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay is preparing to resume compost sales at Salmo, Ootischenia and Creston this fall, with higher prices approved for 2026 and the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary requesting an estimated 115 cubic metres of the finished product.