Town of Olds Announces Seasonal Yard Waste Services: Branch Dump Reopens with Grass Clippings Area Pilot Project

The Town of Olds is excited to announce the seasonal opening of the Residential Branch Dump and Grass Clippings Area on May 1, 2025. Located at the Operations Centre on the west end of town, this program provides an easy and environmentally responsible option for residents of Olds to dispose of yard waste, including branches, small trees, shrubs, and leaves. Community feedback led directing to the town piloting a residential grass clippings project to run with the Branch Dump, in May and October only.

The Residential Branch Dump and Grass Clippings Area is open to Olds residents only. It provides a practical way to manage yard waste such as branches, leaves, shrubs, grass and small trees. This service helps keep our town clean, reduces fire hazards and supports responsible waste management. By separating natural materials from regular garbage, we reduce what goes to the landfill and support long-term environmental responsibility in our community.

Adrian Pedro, Director of Infrastructure, emphasizes the importance of the initiative: "The Residential Branch Dump holds a key role in our waste management strategy. It provides a local, solution for yard waste disposal and helps us maintain a clean, safe, and environmentally friendly town.”

The Branch Dump will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The location will remain open, weather permitting, from May 1 until the end of October. In the event of very rainy weather, the facility may close temporarily for safety reasons.

The following acceptable items are allowed at the Branch Dump:

• Small trees, shrubs, and branches that have a caliper of 6 inches or less—about the diameter of a toilet paper roll or smaller.
• Leaves should be dry and not mixed with other materials.
• A minimal amount of grass or other organic matter is acceptable in the leaf pile, however, the intent is to burn the pile at the end of the season, so we want to minimize materials which will cause issues during that process – that includes large volumes of wet organic and/or inorganic materials. 

The Grass Clippings Area will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The location will remain open, weather permitting, in May and October. In the event of very rainy weather, the facility may close temporarily for safety reasons.

The following acceptable items are allowed in the Grass Clippings Area during the months of May and October:

• Grass clippings
• Paper bags of grass clippings

Mayor Judy Dahl highlights the long-term impact of the program:

“Programs like the Residential Branch Dump and Grass Clippings Area provide a small service that supports a much bigger goal. We are happy that we were able to include a grass bin this year, after receiving community feedback.”

To ensure smooth operations, residents are encouraged to follow the programs guidelines. This is designed to accommodate up to a half ton of yard waste per trip. Multiple trips are allowed if needed but please note that commercial loads will not be accepted. Additional information is available on the Town’s website.

The Operations Centre is located at 3701 – 70 Avenue. For more information, visits olds.ca/yardcare or contact the Operations Center at 403-556-6981 or waste@olds.ca.

Media Contact:

Jillian Toellner
Supervisor – Communications & Engagement
Town of Olds
communications@olds.ca
Direct: 403-507-4857