Find a hauler

It'll depend on how much food scraps your building produces and how frequently they're collected.

Multi-unit residential buildings (apartments, townhomes, condos)

To start, aim to collect 6 to 10 L of food scraps per unit per week and, when everyone's participating, about 14 L. The actual amount will depend on the level of participation and demographics of residents, and may change over time.

Businesses

• Get estimates of food scraps generation rates for businesses PDF file (1 MB)
• Get tips to prevent food waste 

Collection capacity and flexibility

• How much container capacity and collection frequency will you need?
• Is there flexibility to change the:
  • Frequency of collection?
  • Container sizes and quantities?
  • Types of materials collected?

Tip: Ask for flexibility in container sizes and collection frequency during the first few months of your food scraps program and certain times of the year (like summer) when you might collect more food scraps and less garbage.

Fees

• What is the fee for:
  • Collecting food scraps? What does it include (for example, type of service provided, frequency of services, and type of containers provided)?
  • Replacing missing or broken bins?
  • Requesting an additional unscheduled pickup?

Container type, care, and placement

• What type of storage containers are offered for food scraps? Examples include carts, dumpsters, split bins, and in-office collection.
• Are containers periodically washed? If yes, how often and what is the cost?
• Is odour control provided for the containers?
• Are containers lined with compostable plastic bags, biodegradable plastic bags, or paper bags?
• Where would the containers get placed?
  • If it's outdoors: are they locked to prevent other people from using them?
  • If it's on a City street or lane: have you considered the extra costs for a permit to store containers on City property and have you discussed alternative options with your service provider?

Accepted items for collection

• What food scraps (and yard waste) items are accepted and unaccepted?
• What happens when there is a contaminated load with unaccepted items?

Reporting

• What happens to the food scraps after they're collected?
• Does the service provider periodically report the amount of waste disposed and recycled?

Additional services

• Does the service include or charge extra for:
  • Carry-out service (where the driver enters the building to carry out the storage containers for collection)?
  • Food scraps kitchen containers? If yes, are additional or replacement kitchen containers available?
  • Paper bag liners for kitchen containers?
  • Educational materials and support for residents (like posters, pamphlets, presentations, or training sessions)?

If the City already collects your yard waste or garbage, we may also be able to collect your food scraps. Phone 3-1-1 or 604-873-7000 (outside Vancouver) and ask about the Green Bin Program.

If you already have a private hauler for your garbage and yard waste collection, contact your service provider to start food scraps recycling and understand the services they provide.

If you need to find a private hauler for your food scraps, browse our list of food scraps providers.

View a list of food scraps service providers PDF file (56 KB)