As of January 2, 2010, the garbage rate at the Vancouver South Transfer Station and Vancouver Landfill will increase to $82/tonne, and the yard trimmings rate to $59/tonne. The new rates will be consistent at all publicly owned disposal facilities in the region. All other rates including the minimum rates will remain the same.
The City of Vancouver operates two programs for collecting fallen leaves:
Please visit Leaf Removal Programs for more information
It’s fall cleaning season and the City is offering special services for Vancouver residents. From October 10-18, Vancouver residents may dispose of household garbage free of charge at the Vancouver Landfill, 5400 72nd Street, Delta. Garbage may be transported in cars, trailers, small pick-ups and vans. Vehicles larger than 3/4 tonnes will only be allowed the first 500kg free. (Please have vehicle registration ready to confirm Vancouver residency.) Commercial or hazardous waste will not be accepted.
Metro Vancouver has recently created a directory of reuse and recycling services designed to help you answer the question “Where do I take this?”. The database contains over 1,300 locations within the Metro Vancouver region to donate, recycle or appropriately dispose of those items you no longer want.
Please visit Metro Vancouver Recycles for more information.
View a map of your area and its corresponding pick-up schedule.
The challenge is how to divert more of our garbage from disposal in landfills or the waste-to-energy facility while the amount of garbage we each produce increases every year. Learn more about the Zero Waste Challenge
New material disposal bans took effect in Metro Vancouver starting January 1, 2008. View the banned materials tip sheet (PDF).
The City sells backyard composters for $25 (half the retail price) to residents. Buy one soon and receive an aerator (stirrer) at no additional charge (while supplies last). Short web videos about backyard composting in Cantonese, Mandarin and Punjabi are linked on the web page below. Backyard composting at Grow Natural.
A new provincial electronics recycling program started August 1, 2007. The program covers items such as desktop computers, printers and televisions. For details, call Encorp Pacific at 1-800-330-9767 or visit www.encorp.ca/electronics.
Acoustic ceiling tiles, vermiculite insulation and blown-in insulation are not accepted at the Vancouver South Transfer Station (VSTS). These materials may contain asbestos and can be disposed of at the Vancouver Landfill in accordance with the Asbestos Policy. See the 'Suspect Asbestos Containing Materials' section. All other types of insulation, i.e. fibreglass, must be double bagged for disposal at the VSTS. Max. 10 bags per load.
Instead of throwing your empty cartons of milk (or milk substitutes like soy or rice milk) into the garbage why not take them to a participating Encorp Return-It Centre where they will be recycled. Please note that since there is no deposit paid for milk or milk-substitute containers, there will be no deposit refunded when you take them in. For more information, including a list of depots, call Encorp Pacific at 1-800-330-9767 or go to their website.
Recycling isn't just about newspapers, cardboard and empty soup cans. To find out where you can recycle items that aren't accepted in the City's blue box or apartment recycling programs call the Recycling Council of BC's Hotline at 604-R-E-C-Y-C-L-E (604-732-9253) or e-mail them at hotline@rcbc.bc.ca. The RCBC Hotline service provides up-to-date information on waste reduction, recycling, disposal and pollution prevention throughout the province. For more info, visit www.rcbc.bc.ca.
to make Vancouver the cleanest, greenest, healthiest city in the world. By making small changes in our homes and how we move around the city, we can play a big part in reducing energy consumption and cutting down harmful emissions. Find out more at www.onedayvancouver.ca.