Food scraps container permit: what you need to know

Have you assessed the amount of food scraps generated at your building or business? 

If not, these resources can help you:

• Metro Vancouver: general food waste recycling information
• Metro Vancouver: tools and resources for restaurant and food service operators 
• Metro Vancouver: tools and resources for apartment and condos
• US Environmental Protection Agency: waste audit guide  

If food scraps are under 25% of all waste generated, here are some alternatives to consider for food scraps recycling:

• Drop off food scraps at Vancouver South Transfer Station or Vancouver Landfill
• Share food scraps collection service with neighbours or adjacent units
• Bring food scraps home and dispose through the residential collection program

If food scraps are over 25% of all waste generated, review the following resources to assist your building or business in reducing its food scraps:

• Prevent food waste
• Metro Vancouver Love Food Hate Waste ideas and tips
• Metro Vancouver: tools and resources for restaurants
• Metro Vancouver: top tips for grocers
• Work with suppliers to reduce or to take away packaging

• Manage food scraps on-site
• Ask your waste service provider how you may:
  • Adjust collection frequency
  • Reduce the size or the number of garbage containers used
  • Swap garbage containers out with food scraps containers
  • Use split containers with two or more sections (for example, food scraps and garbage)
  • Use in-office collection (if offered by the service provider)
  • Use other innovative solutions that require no containers

• Is there a waste storage room inside your building? If so, is there available space or the opportunity to convert the space inside the room to store the food scraps containers?
• Is there other available space or the opportunity to convert space inside your building for container storage?
• Does the indoor space meet the following criteria:
  • Fire sprinkler system installed
  • Located 3 m (10') away from an exit
  • Fully accessible for users and waste service providers
  • Separated from the remainder of the building by a 1-hour-rated fire separation
  • Is not located in a hallway or stairwell

• Is there available space or the opportunity to convert space outside your building within your property line to store the food scraps containers? 
• Does the space meet the following criteria:
  • Does not impede the exit path from the building
  • Located a minimum of 4 m (13') vertically and 1.5 m (5') horizontally away from any bedroom windows that can be opened
  • Fully accessible for users and waste service providers
  • Is not located under a fire escape

Is there any extra parking space within the property that can be used to store food scraps containers? 

 Parking space conversion involves a development permit application and may take several months. 

For more information on converting a parking space:

• Contact the Development and Building Services Centre
• Get development permit details online